Controller for Professional Services Organization - ...

Job DescriptionController for Professional Services Organization - Portland Metro Acumen is partnering with a Unique Professional Services Provider to find their next Controller to manage all Accounting and Financial activities and lead the Accounting/Finance team. This newly created role will be the key finance and accounting leader who will join a culture of high performance and collaboration. The position is on-site, and is located in NE Portland near the airport. This is the senior-most finance and accounting position at a 40-person consulting firm that manages over 150 concurrent projects for Federal, State, Local governments, and private development clients. The Controller oversees all accounting operations and serves as a strategic partner to the executive team. In this highly regulated industry, the Controller balances day-to-day financial management with forward-looking planning, ensuring accurate project cost accounting (WIP, job costing), rigorous compliance with government regulations, and insightful financial reporting internally and externally. If you:Can manage the day-to-day accounting department while being the financial strategic partner Are a forward thinker - strategy, forecasting, & reporting Understand project-cost accounting in a professional services environment and can project Financial statements and track Work in Progress reports to make recommendations Have strong interpersonal and communication skills Can manage multiple priorities Have strong attention to detail with solid analytical skills Thrive in building systems, processes, and teamwork Then this may be the next great opportunity for you! Key Responsibilities Oversee all facets of the Accounting department (GL, A/P, A/R, payroll, etc.), ensuring accuracy and efficiency in daily operations following the GAAP and Financial protocols. The Controller is accountable for timely and accurate monthly closes and financial statement preparation. Department top position in Accounting and Finance Accountable for all reporting and closes to include timely and accurate financial and accounting statement preparation and analysis Budget to Actual Reporting Set department KPIs and Drivers Continuous accounting/finance improvements Forecasting and strategic planning for future growth options Ensure proper accounting records are maintained, including proper documentation and process controls Oversee and manage cash balances and cash flows Verify and analyze bank statements Work with company's 3rd-party tax accounting firm on preparation of annual income tax returns for multiple states Manage bank and independent annual audit cycles and lead audit activities Collaborate with the senior management team in the preparation of the annual budgets and forecasts Review and approve the company's cost model for quoting at least once a year to ensure accurate use of rates and base rates in new business quotes Monitor budget-related financial performance, prepare variance analysis, and recommend corrective actions, as required Work with senior management on the interim Quarterly Review Presentations to the Company Shareholders Work closely with the Leadership Team to assist in achieving operational and strategic goals Work closely with Operations to ensure all external reporting and audit obligations are met accurately and on time Ensure compliance with all the Financial Federal and Local tax regulatory/statutory requirements and reporting Support the senior management team in reporting the Financial portions of company presentations as required Recommend and implement continuous improvements in Finance operations Support the senior management team in the financial analysis/payback analysis for all projects Assist the senior management team on overall enterprise matters as required Qualifications: 10+ years' experience in accounting and/or finance 5+ years' experience managing direct reports BA/BS in Accounting or similar degree is required Post-secondary degree and/or Professional Accounting designation is a plus Experience in payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, financial analysis, and project-cost management Experience working within an ERP system that touches all aspects of business Procedure for Applying: To apply or see our other positions available, please go to Acumen Executive Search to submit a resume and a brief cover letter indicating your interest in the opportunity. If our current open positions are not the right fit for you and you would like us to share relevant opportunities, please send your resume and a brief cover to . About Acumen: Established in 2007, Acumen Executive Search is a "Most Admired" company and is recognized as the leading certified woman-owned Executive Search Partner in the Pacific Northwest with a global clientele. We deliver high-impact results and higher than the national average retention rates while nurturing genuine long-term relationships. Acumen works shoulder-to-shoulder with our clients to provide customized, meaningful, and proven leadership solutions that empower organizational success. Keywords: Senior Controller, Controller, Director of Finance, CFO, Chief Financial Officer, Financial statements, WIP, Work in Progress, Project Costing, Project Cost, Forecasting, modeling, Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flows, GAAP, Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Accrual-Based Financials, Budgeting, Analysis, reporting, reports, KPIs, Key Performance Indicators, Financial projections, tax preparation, Audit, AP, AR, Payroll

Created: 2026-03-05