Controller – CAAS Department

Job Description

Looking for an excellent work/life balance and rewarding career at an established public accounting firm? Thompson Greenspon, a Fairfax CPA firm and Washington Post Top Workplace, is adding a full-time Controller to their team.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Ability to conduct technical research and documentation to support conclusion.
• Demonstrates ability to manage the preparation and review process of complex financial statements in a timely and efficient manner.
• Resolves complicated accounting issues.
• Handles client matters within CAAS department and updates Shareholder/Principal as appropriate.
• Ensures completion of planning with Shareholder/Principal approval prior to work beginning at client.
• Ensures completion of file through work paper review prior to Shareholder/Principal review.
• Prepares review notes and trains staff.
• Understands accounting issues and other operational issues experienced by clients in that industry.
• Weekly client telephone meeting with specific industry “A” clients relating to special projects and/or “open items” list.
• Internal client analysis report preparation for Principal.
• Review of management reporting packages prepared by Assistant Controller/Senior Accountant.
• Staff and technology resource planning/management.
• Successful business development results, selling and cross-selling all firm services.
• Actively participates in firm industry niche meetings and marketing activities.
• Acts as a business advisor to current and prospective clients.

Supervisory Skills:

• Ability to distribute tasks fairly among team members based on their individual competencies and workload.
• Provides employees with the necessary training and resources to accomplish CAAS client assignments, as well as departmental goals.
• Communicates clear performance expectations and standards to team members and discusses progress and concerns (using regular team meetings and one-on-one discussions with all employees).
• Works well with allocated resources, support staff and Shareholders.
• Inspires and motivates team members to perform optimally.
• Gives team members ongoing and balanced performance feedback.
• Coaches team members effectively to improve their job skills.
• Is patient and shows an appropriate level of caring.
• Solves people problems with tact and diplomacy and resolves internal conflict effectively.

Qualified candidates will have the following knowledge and skills:

• Demonstrates strong technical knowledge.
• Knowledgeable on status of work prior to planning meetings.
• Manages budgets and billing centers.
• Demonstrate initiative on projects and assignments.
• Proven ability to research and solve complex accounting/finance issues.
• Proven ability to be able to take ownership of a project with very little management guidance.
• Experience using QuickBooks (preferred) and Sage Intacct (preferred).
• Solid knowledge of GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles).
• Attention to detail and problem-solving ability.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with a proven ability to work effectively across all levels of an organization.
• Strong analytical background with strategic critical thinking capabilities and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership qualities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Variety of industry experience, preferred.
• Experienced Microsoft Windows user – Word, Excel, Outlook & Adobe.
• Experienced with applicable accounting software.
• Time management skills.
• Is compliant with administrative tasks and deadlines, such as time entry, response to appointments, completion of goals and performance review.

Education/Certification Requirements:

• Bachelors in Accounting (required)
• CPA or higher-level degree (such as MBA, Masters in Accounting, Juris Doctor degree, etc.) (preferred)
• Minimum 10 years’ experience in corporate accounting department or public accounting firm (required)

Working Conditions:

• Business hours Monday through Friday, firm core hours are 10am – 4pm. May be subject to work beyond normal working hours when necessary.
• Attends and participates in continuing educational programs designed to keep abreast of changes in the profession.
• Essential demands include sitting at a desk, working on a computer for long periods of time and using a telephone to communicate with internal and external clients and the general public.
• Minimal lifting.