About the Role
We are a growing, services-based recruiting firm seeking a Fractional Controller to design and oversee our financial reporting, profitability analysis, and forecasting. We already work with a bookkeeping firm that handles day-to-day transactions. This role is about financial structure, insight, and decision support, not data entry.
This is a fractional engagement with the potential to evolve as the business scales.
What You’ll Own
Initial Setup (first 30–60 days)
- Design a GAAP-compliant chart of accounts aligned to how the business actually operates
- Define accounting structure for profitability by search, client, and recruiter
- Establish cost allocation logic for recruiter compensation, overhead, and shared expenses
- Define monthly close process and reporting cadence in partnership with the bookkeeper
- Build core financial models, including:
- Search and client-level profitability
- Recruiter productivity and margin analysis
- Cash flow forecasting
- Hiring and headcount impact scenarios
Ongoing (monthly)
- Review monthly close prepared by the bookkeeping firm
- Deliver management reporting with clear insights, not just financial statements
- Maintain and update forecasts and scenario models
- Act as a finance thought partner for hiring, growth, and cash decisions
- Ensure consistency and accuracy across reporting periods
What This Role Is NOT
- Not bookkeeping or transaction entry
- Not payroll processing
- Not AR/AP execution
- Not tax preparation
This role is explicitly focused on designing financial systems and interpreting results, not recording activity.
What We’re Looking For
Required
- Prior experience as a Controller, Senior Controller, or Finance Lead
- Strong GAAP and accrual accounting foundation
- Demonstrated FP&A experience, including forecasting, scenario modeling, and variance analysis
- Experience supporting professional services, recruiting, or project-based businesses
- Proven ability to build and maintain:
- Profitability models by client, project, or service line
- Cash flow and hiring forecasts used for real decisions
- Comfort working with QuickBooks or Xero data
- Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable guidance for operators
Nice to Have
- CPA license
- Prior fractional or startup experience
- Experience partnering with external bookkeeping firms
- Background supporting founder-led or growth-stage companies
Engagement Details
- Fractional, contract-based role
- Expected workload:
- Initial setup: ~10–20 hours total
- Ongoing: ~3–8 hours per month
- Fully remote
- Competitive hourly or monthly retainer based on experience