Controller

Controller | St. Petersburg, FL | Compensation: $140,000–$180,000 + Benefits Step into a high‑visibility Controller role at a growing, multi‑site organization in the restaurant space, where your leadership presence, reporting instincts, and ability to translate numbers into strategic insight will directly influence how the business makes decisions and scales. Key Responsibilities Own the preparation, review, and presentation of monthly financial statements and P&L results to the CEO, ownership group, and field leadership. Interpret the story behind the numbers — identify variances, understand root causes, and translate financial data into clear, actionable insights that inform strategic decision‑making. Hold operational leaders accountable to their budgets through direct, candid performance conversations and financial reviews. Maintain balance sheet oversight and ensure accuracy across all entities and consolidations. Manage corporate intercompany entries and any management fees allocated across business units. Supervise, develop, and review the work of a Senior Accountant, Accountant, and Bookkeeper/Admin — ensuring quality, timeliness, and accuracy across all deliverables. Roll up your sleeves on complex or high‑priority items when delegation is not appropriate, maintaining a hands‑on standard for the team. Coordinate with the external tax accountant on relevant filings and compliance matters. Oversee full‑cycle accounting across multiple entities: journal entries, AP, accruals, reconciliations, and final financial statement production. Review system‑generated accruals and ensure the end product is accurate, clean, and audit‑ready. Maintain and strengthen internal controls, ensuring consistency and reliability across all entities. Lead the build‑out and ongoing maintenance of Excel‑based reporting tools and analytics that support leadership decision‑making. Bring structure, process, and scalable systems to the accounting function as the organization continues to expand. Requirements Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. Proven Controller‑level experience — preference for someone who has done this role, not someone making the step up for the first time. Multi‑site experience at a comparable scale and industry; restaurant or hospitality background is a significant plus. Advanced Excel proficiency — a meaningful portion of reporting is Excel‑driven and this is non‑negotiable. Strong leadership presence with the confidence to engage ownership, executives, and operational leaders directly and candidly. Highly organized, self‑motivated, and capable of managing multiple priorities without losing attention to detail. CPA designation — a plus but not required. Public accounting background — valued but not essential; solid industry and leadership experience carries equal weight here. Experience with restaurant or hospitality accounting software. Why you’ll love working here A true seat at the table — you will report directly to the fractional CFO and ownership group with meaningful influence over how the finance function operates and grows. Hybrid schedule with genuine flexibility — this team trusts you to get the work done on your terms. Casual, people‑first culture — jeans every day, team lunches, and regular outings that show leadership actually invests in their people. A company in active growth mode — your scope, your team, and your impact will expand alongside the business. Employee dining discounts across multiple restaurant concepts. Competitive compensation of $140,000–$180,000 with flexibility for the right candidate, plus 15 days PTO, 401(k) match, and health, vision, and dental coverage. #J-18808-Ljbffr