Job Category: Accounting & Finance

Senior Accounting Associate

  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52675

For a public accounting professional ready to make the move to industry, this is one of the more compelling opportunities in the Twin Cities. You are not going to a Fortune 500 corporate accounting seat with a defined lane and a five-year wait for your next title. You are stepping into a private equity environment where the work is varied, the exposure is broad, and the upward trajectory is real. If a portco CFO seat or a career in private equity finance is on your radar, this is a meaningful first step.

This firm manages a multi-strategy private equity platform and has built a tight-knit, high-caliber accounting and finance team with a strong culture of collaboration and long-term thinking. They opened their Minnesota office in late 2024 and are now building out their local team – this hire is a foundational role in that effort. The team operating out of Minneapolis works in close partnership with senior Finance leadership in New York, giving this person meaningful visibility and access to leadership from day one.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Accounting Associate, you will support the Controller and Assistant Controller with the day-to-day accounting and fund administration for the firm’s investment funds. This is a hands-on, high-ownership role with direct exposure to fund accounting, investor reporting, audit, compliance, and operational initiatives across a growing platform.

Key Responsibilities

•    Support preparation of quarterly and annual fund financial statements and reporting schedules
•    Assist with investor capital calls, distributions, and LP audit confirmations
•    Coordinate annual audit activities, including preparing audit support and liaising with external auditors
•    Support regulatory filings and ongoing compliance requirements in partnership with the NYC accounting team
•    Maintain fund accounting records, accounts payable, cash management, and treasury-related activities
•    Interface with limited partners, fund administrators, auditors, and banks as directed
•    Complete investor due diligence questionnaires and other ad hoc data requests
•    Support process improvement initiatives as the team scales

Qualifications

•    CPA (active, required)
•    2+ years of Big Four or public accounting experience
•    Strong technical accounting foundation with the ability to ramp quickly in a new environment
•    Self-starter who can operate independently in a satellite office setting
•    Polished communicator who can build trust across a distributed team
•    Curious and adaptable – PE background is not required, but you need to want to learn it
•    Minneapolis (North Loop) office location

Compensation

•  $120k + bonus

Cost Accounting Manager

  • Location: St Paul , Minnesota
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52669

We are thrilled to be partnering with a long-time client of ours on a key addition to their Executive Leadership Team! This is a unique Cost Accounting leadership opportunity with a well-established manufacturing business here in the Twin Cities.

This is definitely not your run-of-the-mill cost accounting role. The position sits on the executive leadership team and offers significant visibility across the organization, with heavy crossover into operations and the opportunity to serve as a true business partner to manufacturing and operational leadership.

They are looking for someone who can not only own costing, inventory, and manufacturing accounting, but also help drive operational efficiencies, improve processes, and support stronger decision-making across the plant environment.

If you’re someone who enjoys having a seat at the table, partnering cross-functionally, and making a tangible impact on how a business operates rather than simply maintaining the status quo, this could be a really exciting opportunity.

 

Director of Finance

  • Location: Bloomington
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52636

The Director of Finance will be a strategic, operationally minded finance leader who combines strong analytical expertise with the ability to build trusted relationships across the organization and franchise network. This individual will play a critical role in shaping financial strategy, supporting executive decision-making, and driving long-term business performance across one of the largest franchise salon systems in North America.

This leader will oversee a broad range of financial functions, including financial planning and analysis, budgeting, treasury operations, tax strategy, cash flow management, business analytics, and franchisee financial support. Success in the role requires more than technical expertise; the ideal candidate will bring a highly collaborative, service-oriented mindset and the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights that support growth, profitability, and operational excellence across both corporate and franchise operations.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a low-ego, servant-leader mentality with a relationship-first approach to leadership, collaboration, and business partnership. They will thrive in ambiguous, fast-paced environments and balance strategic thinking with a hands-on, execution-oriented mindset, operating effectively as a “working leader” who is equally comfortable leading teams and rolling up their sleeves to solve problems. This individual will bring curiosity, patience, and sound judgment when assessing opportunities for change, taking time to understand organizational context, stakeholder perspectives, and operational realities before driving transformation.

Additionally, this leader must be able to build trust and credibility quickly across teams, franchisees, and executive leadership while simplifying complex financial concepts for audiences with varying levels of financial acumen. The ideal candidate will be energized by helping franchisees improve performance, enhance profitability, and achieve long-term business success through thoughtful partnership, responsiveness, and value-added financial guidance.

Senior Analyst, Strategic Finance

  • Location: San Diego , California
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52631

We’re partnering with a PE-backed, global professional services/advisory organization (~$400M revenue, 40+ countries, multiple recent acquisitions) that is investing heavily in enterprise AI ahead of its next major growth phase and future transaction cycle to help them identify their next FP&A Analyst!

As a Senior Analyst in Strategic Finance, you will be part of a high performing team driving analyses that help the leadership team execute on strategic initiatives. You will serve as an analytical powerhouse and strategic partner to business leaders through the organization. In addition to financial planning and reporting (internal & external), you will also gain exposure to private equity, M&A execution, and data analytics.

This is a hybrid role (3 days onsite, 2 days offsite) out of their San Diego, CA HQ.

Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

  • Location: San Diego , California
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52630

We’re partnering with a PE-backed, global professional services/advisory organization (~$400M revenue, 40+ countries, multiple recent acquisitions) that is investing heavily in enterprise AI ahead of its next major growth phase and future transaction cycle to help them identify their next FP&A Analyst!

As an FP&A Analyst, you will be part of a high performing team driving analyses that help the leadership team execute on strategic initiatives. You will serve as an analytical powerhouse and strategic partner to business leaders through the organization. In addition to financial planning and reporting (internal & external), you will also gain exposure to private equity, M&A execution, and data analytics.

This is a hybrid role (3 days onsite, 2 days offsite) out of their San Diego, CA HQ.
 

AI Builder & Enablement Specialist

  • Location: San Diego , California
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52629

We’re partnering with a PE-backed, global professional services/advisory organization (~$400M revenue, 40+ countries, multiple recent acquisitions) that is investing heavily in enterprise AI ahead of its next major growth phase and future transaction cycle. 

This is a hybrid role (3 days onsite, 2 days offsite) out of their San Diego, CA HQ.

This is an AI Builder & Enablement Specialist role reporting into a highly strategic finance/AI leadership group. This individual will design, build, and deploy AI agents, automations, and internal tools using modern LLM platforms and orchestration frameworks (e.g., Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, Zapier, Make, n8n, Power Automate), help design and deliver AI training programs for all levels — from executives to individual contributors.

A few things that make this role special:

  • Massive visibility and impact — this person will help lead AI adoption across the entire enterprise (Sales, Marketing, Ops, Finance, HR, Customer Success, etc.) and build real-world AI agents/automations that directly drive business efficiency and value creation
  • Strong mentorship / exposure — you’d work directly with a high-caliber finance/operator leader driving company-wide strategic initiatives
  • Fast-track growth potential — the hiring leader specifically talked about how this role could evolve very quickly for the right person, especially if they can prove impact early

Responsibilities breakdown (50% BUILD / 35% ENABLEMENT / 15% STRATEGY)
 

Fund Associate

  • Location: Chicago, Illinois
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52628

Well-known middle market financial services organization seeking a Fund Associate due to internal promotion. If you are currently working at a Fund Administrator and have been wanting to go in-house, this is a fantastic opportunity to join a high-pedigree team with a strong track record of internal promotion. Hybrid work schedule in downtown Chicago and strong incentives/upside.

Ideal candidates have 3-6 years of Fund Administration experience, are polished and professional communicators, and Chicago-local. Relocation will be considered for exceptionally strong candidates.

 

Accounting Manager

  • Location: Minneapolis
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52626

I’m partnering once again with a long time client to fill an Accounting Manager role.  The position is open due to an internal promotion. This team has had zero turnover in 10 years.  This is a hands on Accounting Manager who will lead an established team, so this is the perfect opportunity for someone looking for their first manager role.  I’m looking for candidates with 4+ years of experience, manufacturing industry experience, and a CPA

Accounting Manager

  • Location: Chicago
  • Remote: Remote
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52623

I’m partnering with my professional services client to fill an Accounting Manager position.  This new role is needed as they continue to grow and build more robust accounting practices.  They have doubled their revenue and headcount in the last 5 years.  I’m looking for candidates with 4+ years of accounting experience, professional services industry experience, client facing experience, and a CPA

Corporate Controller

  • Location: Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
  • Type: Direct Hire
  • Job #52621

SkyWater Search Partners is partnering with a large, privately held, family-owned organization in southwest Minnesota on a senior accounting leadership opportunity with long-term executive growth potential.

This is far more than a traditional Controller role. The organization is seeking a hands-on, low-ego accounting leader who genuinely enjoys building relationships, developing teams, and becoming deeply embedded in the business. Success in this role will require curiosity, humility, and a willingness to spend time in operations, whether that’s walking facilities, understanding field activity, or building credibility with leaders across the organization.

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Corporate Controller will oversee accounting and financial reporting while serving as a visible business partner across a complex, operationally driven environment. The role also includes exposure to treasury, family office dynamics, long-term strategic planning, and succession-oriented leadership development.

The ideal candidate will bring:

  • 10–15+ years of progressive accounting and leadership experience
  • Strong controllership foundation (GAAP, reporting, audit, internal controls)
  • Experience within manufacturing, agriculture, food production, distribution, or other operationally intensive environments
  • Proven ability to lead and develop teams
  • Strong business partnering and communication skills
  • A collaborative, grounded leadership style

This opportunity is based in southwest Minnesota, approximately two hours from the Twin Cities, and requires a consistent on-site presence.

If you are looking for a meaningful leadership opportunity within a values-driven, relationship-oriented organization where you can make a long-term impact, I would love to connect!

CRabon@skywatersearch.com | 952.767.9025

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601 Carlson Parkway | Suite 900 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55305

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952-767-9000

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