Controller, People Leader
Role Overview
The People Leader serves as the primary support and manager for a cohort of Senior Accounting Managers or Assistant Controllers, with a strong focus on coaching, performance management, and career development. This role ensures team members perform at a high level, continue to grow professionally, and are effectively deployed to meet client and business needs.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the direct manager for a cohort of Senior Accountants or Accounting Managers - max of 8
- Conduct regular 1:1 check-ins to provide coaching, feedback, and ongoing support
- Deliver biannual performance reviews with clear, actionable feedback and development plans
- Monitor individual and team performance, addressing concerns in a timely and constructive manner
- Act as a point of escalation for performance issues, client concerns, and delivery challenges
- Utilize and manage team utilization
- Oversee staffing for Senior Accountant level and above to ensure proper resource allocation
- Partner with engagement leaders to balance workloads and optimize team productivity
- Career Development & Coaching
- Support team members in promotion readiness and long-term career progression
- Define, track, and follow up on individual development goals and action plans
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth
- Training & Development
- Identify skill gaps and coordinate technical and professional training opportunities
- Facilitate or support delivery of trainings to ensure team readiness and capability
- Promote knowledge sharing and ongoing development within the team
- Participate in recruiting efforts, including interviewing and candidate evaluation
- Support building and maintaining a strong talent pipeline to meet future staffing needs
- Client Services
- Manage all general accounting functions which includes performing month-end close process, eliminations & consolidations, preparing and booking journal entries, account reconciliations and variance analysis
- Prepare monthly consolidated client financials including fluctuation analysis and budget vs actual comparisons
- Set client accounting & tax policies
- Define & implement ASC 606 revenue recognition policies
- Direct activities related to efficient customer cash collection and vendor payments and overall cash management and cash forecasting
- Create and manage KPI Dashboards
- Manage general HR responsibilities, including payroll, processing employee onboarding & offboarding, and benefits management
- Oversee client tax-related matters to ensure timely compliance
- Lead annual financial audits, as required
- Manage and mentor accounting teams across all clients
Requirements
- Proven track record of successfully coaching and developing accounting professionals
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to provide empathetic, constructive feedback and foster trust across a team
- Proven track record of managing complex client engagements and cross-functional teams
- Analytical and detail-oriented with a focus on operational efficiency
- Collaborative and diplomatic, with a problem-solving mindset
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Enthusiastic, personable, positive attitude, and high integrity
- Persistent and self-motivated with the ability to work with limited supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance preferred. CPA preferred
- 8+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years at the Assistant Controller level and above
- 3+ years in a people management or team leadership role
- Experience implementing workflow automation or AI-enabled tools preferred. Familiarity with generative AI tools and automation platforms strongly preferred
- Desire to work side by side with a variety of CFOs and want mentorship
- Advanced+ Excel skills
- Experience with standard software solutions: QuickBooks Online, Xero, NetSuite, Campfire, Brex, Ramp, Rippling, Gusto, Rillet, Carta
- Experience working in a fast-paced technology and/or professional services environment
- Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
- Ability to deliver clear, empathetic, and actionable feedback
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities and complex team dynamics
- Analytical, detail-oriented, and solutions-focused
Benefits
- Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance (100% coverage for employees on base plan, 70% coverage for additional family members)
- Participation in Flexible Spending Accounts and 401(k)
- 3 weeks PTO
- Voluntary Life Insurance & Disability plans
- Work-from-home allowance
Final Notes
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Attivo Partners is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workplace. People from diverse racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities are highly encouraged to apply.
All legitimate communication from our team will come *exclusively from an @attivopartners.com email address. If you receive a message claiming to be from Attivo that does not use this domain - or if something feels unfamiliar - please disregard the communication and report it to us at Recruiting@Attivopartners.com.