Controller

Description

Why join our team at Definiti? If you enjoy tackling challenges and believe in delivering exceptional client service, Definiti may be perfect for you. You can make a difference by helping to improve and secure many retirements, while also helping to grow a dynamic organization. Most roles are fully remote, so you need to be comfortable using technology, be productive in a home office with a reliable internet connection to stay in touch with your team and deliver high-quality service to our clients. Definiti supports your professional growth through comprehensive training and industry credentials and certifications.

Definiti is a national retirement services company that helps clients manage and administer their retirement plans. We help clients define what's possible and what’s next for their retirement plans.

PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Controller will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer and lead Definiti’s core accounting operations in a fast-paced, highly acquisitive, private equity-backed professional services environment. This hands-on leadership role is responsible for accurate and timely financial reporting, the monthly close, annual audit and tax return preparation, team development, acquisition support, internal controls, and scalable process improvement. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills with a people-centered leadership style and is comfortable moving between strategic oversight and detailed accounting execution. This role will initially have four direct reports and will help advance automation across the finance function.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial results in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

· Oversee general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, accruals, revenue recognition, financial statement preparation, and maintenance of a strong internal control environment.

· Manage the annual audit and tax return processes, including planning, schedule preparation, coordination with external auditors and tax advisors, and timely resolution of requests.

· Provide hands-on accounting support, including completing and reviewing reconciliations and other detailed accounting work in a lean finance environment.

· Lead, coach, mentor, and develop the accounting team, balancing support and accountability while driving timely, high-quality results.

· Support acquisition-related accounting and post-close integration activities, including opening balance sheet review, purchase price allocation, working capital true-ups, earn-out tracking, and process standardization, as applicable.

· Develop, document, and maintain scalable accounting policies, procedures, controls, and reporting practices that support continued growth.

· Drive automation and finance transformation initiatives using Sage, FloQast, Ramp, Microsoft Excel, Copilot, and other technology-enabled workflows to improve close efficiency, accuracy, documentation, and productivity.

Requirements

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

· Strong technical accounting knowledge with the ability to manage the full close cycle while also performing detailed accounting work.

· People-focused leadership skills with the ability to coach, teach, mentor, build trust, and hold team members accountable.

· Executive presence and strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to partner effectively with senior leadership, external advisors, and cross-functional teams.

· Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to distinguish key priorities while maintaining attention to detail.

· Comfort working with urgency, flexibility, and sound judgment in a fast-paced, acquisition-driven environment.

· Technology-forward mindset with demonstrated interest in automation, process improvement, and scalable finance operations.

· Ability to work independently in a fully remote environment while maintaining responsiveness and strong collaboration.

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

· Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.

· Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience required, including experience in a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar senior accounting role.

· Minimum of 2 years of people leadership experience required.

· Demonstrated experience managing the monthly close and annual audit processes from planning through completion required.

· Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP, revenue recognition, accrual accounting, account reconciliations, financial reporting, and internal controls required.

· Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with Sage or a comparable accounting system required.

· CPA strongly preferred; experience in a private equity-backed, professional services, high-growth, or acquisition-driven environment preferred.

· Experience with M&A or acquisition integration preferred.

· Purchase price allocation, ERP or finance transformation initiatives preferred.

· FloQast, Ramp, Copilot, or other automation tools preferred.

REMOTE WORKING REQUIREMENTS

As a remote-first company, we have compiled expectations for a successful remote work environment:

• Ability to build rapport with others remotely while working productively with limited in-person interaction
• Have access to a reliable and consistently strong, high-speed internet connection suitable for remote work. A stable, high-speed internet connection is essential for effective communication, collaboration, and productivity while working remotely
• Designate a quiet, and well-lit space free of as many distractions as possible
• Be online and available to work during designated business hours in local time zone
• Accustomed to using Microsoft Teams (or similar virtual-meeting applications) to meet with colleagues regularly on video and use the chat feature for quick communications. We utilize many Microsoft Teams features (such as Channels and file storage) for announcements, relevant conversations, and file sharing. Familiarity with Microsoft Teams is a plus
• Accustomed with file-storage and file-sharing tools such as Microsoft SharePoint

BENEFITS

Definiti has a dynamic, growth-focused culture, and we are committed to offering attractive employee-centric benefits, including:

• A virtual-first work philosophy for most jobs
• 401(k) with up to 4% match
• Flexible PTO allows you to take the time you need for wellness, vacations, and personal matters. We foster a trusting environment where employees manage their workloads responsibly. Time off doesn’t accrue.
• 12 paid holidays, 2 paid floating holidays, and your birthday is a holiday
• Paid Parental Leave
• A variety of medical, dental and vision plan options including Definiti subsidized premiums
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability insurance
• Bonus plan eligibility