Job Category: Executive Search

• Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Remote: Remote
• Type: Direct Hire
• Job #48946

Vice President, Corporate Controller

My client, a wealth management and registered advisor, has approximately $100 billion of assets under management and has had an annual growth rate of nearly 50% over the last five years.  The company is owned by private equity and is highly acquisitive. 
 
This role will lead a team of 28 through 4 direct reports.  We are targeting a candidate that can drive business and process improvement within the Controllership function. 

The Controller oversees all accounting operations, ensuring accurate financial reporting in compliance with GAAP, SEC and other regulatory requirements and overseeing the financial controls associated with these activities. 

Job Functions:

1. Drive accounting results

• Direct all aspects of accounting operations, overseeing all transactions related to general ledger, receivables, payables, fixed assets, payroll, equity, hedges, debt and purchase accounting
• Oversees calculation and proper accounting for all accruals and reserves (revenue accruals, advisor compensation accruals, errors reserve, bad debt, legal reserves, benefit accruals, post-closing consideration, etc.)
• Understand the complexities of each new, unusual or material transactions to ensure compliance with GAAP.
• Coordinate monthly close timing and ensure adherence to schedule
• Establish KPIs, monitoring process for metrics and reporting standards
• Ensure all accounting policies adhere to GAAP, SEC and FINRA standards.  Remain up-to-date on all proposed legislation and accounting guidance updates.

 

1. Develop and lead the accounting team

• Leads, coaches and develops the accounting department (25+ members)
• Promote continuous improvement through leadership, guidance and education
• Drive operational efficiencies to reduce monthly close timing from 8 days to 3 days

 

1. Oversee external financial audits (Consolidated, Broker/Dealer, Trust Co, 401k plan,etc). 

• Serve as the primary interface to SEC, FINRA, bank and external audits
• Responsible for annual selection and relationship management of external financial auditors
• Plan the audit process and timeline.  Ensure proper resources are available and adequately trained to achieve clean audits.
• Coordinate the work requested for both internal and external audits of the company financial records and implement agreed-upon recommendations related to areas of responsibility resulting from audit findings.

 

1. Develops and/or enhances, implements, and enforces policies and procedures by way of systems that will improve the overall operation and effectiveness of the organization.

• Establish technical accounting guidance policies and ensure accounting memos are updated timely.  Review all new or unusual transactions with CFO to ensure alignment.
• Drive a daily focus on continuous improvement and utilization of GL system functionality (Workday), written procedures, standardized processes, etc.
• Oversee accounting and operational processes for M&A activity.  Develop standard processes for firm integration and a reporting process for all non-standard decisions.
• Build or enhance internal controls on key risk areas.  Enforce compliance of all internal controls to maximize protection of company assets, policies, procedures and workflows.
• Establish review and sign off process to ensure accuracy of regulatory reporting. 
• Ensure completeness of all books and records

Education / Experience

• Bachelor of Science required.  Bachelor of Business Administration, Accounting preferred. 
• MBA/CMA/CPA preferred.
• 10+ years in a related role is required.  Prior experience working for a broker-dealer, RIA firm or financial services organization in a publicly traded company is preferred

• Inter-personal and communication skills working with people at all levels
• Microsoft Offices proficiency to develop presentations; decks & reports
• Experience communicating sensitive information
• Experience coaching, developing and building a team of accounting professionals