VP, Financial Controller - SESAC (Nashville)

About the Role

SESAC is seeking a VP, Financial Controller to oversee all aspects of the company’s accounting and financial reporting. This includes managing a multi-entity general ledger, overseeing the monthly close and management reporting, quarterly and annual financial statements, monitoring cash flow, and overseeing revenues, royalties, and payroll processes. The role involves developing and maintaining internal controls, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax regulations, and company policies.

As the Controller, you will collaborate closely with leadership and operations teams to analyze financial performance, provide decision-support reporting, and recommend process improvements that enhance transparency and efficiency. This position includes supervising and mentoring accounting staff, coordinating with external auditors, and helping drive disciplined financial management across the organization.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the SESAC accounting team and ensure accurate and timely dissemination of financial management reports, including internal and external monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and annual audits/budgets.
• Establish, maintain, and enhance financial systems and controls that verify the integrity of all procedures, processes, and data, including balance-sheet reconciliations, accrual completeness, and variance analysis.
• Oversee revenue and royalty accounting, including revenue accruals, accounts receivable (aging, billings, and cash application), bad debt, and prepaid royalties.
• Deliver management reports and analytics to department leadership and act as a strategic partner by responding to requests with accurate, timely work.
• Support the drafting and review of the annual financial statements, including oversight of group reporting packages from subsidiary finance teams for consolidation, intercompany settlements, etc., under US GAAP.
• Provide inspirational people leadership by setting clear goals, delivering honest and constructive feedback, and taking an active role in developing talent at every level.
• Lead with empathy and high standards, holding the team accountable while championing their growth, well-being, and long-term success.
• Actively model and reinforce a respectful, collaborative, and congenial workplace culture, assuming positive intent and maintaining professional courtesy.
• Evaluate the accounting team structure and existing processes for continual improvement in efficiency and effectiveness.
• Partner with FP&A and business leadership on the annual budget and periodic forecast cycles, providing accounting input on assumptions, accruals, and variance drivers.
• Review technical accounting memos, conclude on accounting positions, propose resulting journal entries, and present and defend conclusions with external auditors.
• Assess and lead adoption of new accounting standards as needed.
• Integrate and standardize finance functions of entities acquired in a business combination.
• Own and manage the relationship with external auditors.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, business administration, or equivalent experience.
• CPA required; MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of public accounting experience.
• 3+ years of experience leading a team as a Financial Controller or Assistant Controller (or equivalent), including multi-entity and/or international consolidation experience.
• Strong experience in financial accounting, reporting, and general ledger management, consolidation of foreign entities, differences between US GAAP and International GAAP (IFRS/local GAAP), and accounting for holding companies and multi-entity structures.
• Deep knowledge of financial statements under US GAAP, including experience with revenue under ASC 606, complex debt accounting, business combinations, leases, and divestitures.
• Experience with financial statement drafting preferred.
• Global mindset and interpersonal range to lead effectively across diverse teams, locations, cultures, and stakeholders.
• Ability to design, implement, and maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures for safeguarding company assets.
• Working knowledge of tax withholding compliance, regulatory reporting, and coordination with external auditors and financial institutions.
• Strong soft skills to lead and develop the finance team and collaborate cross-functionally, with an ability to build relationships at all levels.
• Self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a problem solver who anticipates next steps and questions.
• Strong quantitative skillset and expert Excel user; hands-on with close and reporting systems (Oracle, ADP, Tipalti, Bill.com).
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ethical conduct and ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn, adapt to, and embrace new technologies, with a track record of applying emerging tools to improve efficiency.
• Analytical thinker who thrives in a team environment, balancing independent problem-solving with a collaborative approach.

Schedule

This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of three days per week in the Nashville office.