Chief Financial Officer / Controller (Operations & Payroll Tax-Focused)

Chief Financial Officer / Controller (Operations & Payroll Tax-Focused)

• Brooklyn, NY

We are seeking a hands-on, operationally focused CFO/Controller to join a growing payroll processing company. This role combines strategic financial leadership with direct oversight of payroll tax operations, compliance, and process management. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable managing accounting and compliance functions while improving workflows, driving operational efficiency, and supporting executive decision-making.

This is not a purely back-office accounting role. The position requires a proactive leader who can oversee financial operations while collaborating across payroll operations, payroll tax, client service, compliance, technology, and executive management.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Oversee all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management
• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
• Maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements
• Manage audits, tax filings, banking relationships, and insurance matters
• Develop KPIs and financial metrics to support company growth and profitability
• Advise ownership/executive leadership on financial strategy and operational performance

Payroll Tax Department Leadership

• Direct and oversee all payroll tax operations, filings, deposits, reconciliations, and compliance activities
• Ensure timely and accurate filing/payment of all federal, state, and local payroll taxes
• Manage quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting, including Forms 941, 940, W-2s, state unemployment filings, and related compliance reporting
• Oversee payroll tax account registrations, notices, audits, amendments, and agency correspondence
• Build and manage controls to minimize tax penalties, late filings, and compliance exposure
• Supervise payroll tax personnel and establish scalable departmental processes and accountability
• Coordinate with payroll operations and technology teams to ensure system accuracy, tax table maintenance, and regulatory updates
• Maintain current knowledge of multi-state payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements
• Lead resolution of complex payroll tax issues, client escalations, and regulatory matters
• Evaluate and improve payroll tax workflows, automation, and reporting systems

Operational Oversight

• Partner with payroll operations leadership to improve workflows, controls, scalability, and efficiency
• Evaluate and optimize operational processes across payroll processing, onboarding, billing, collections, and client service
• Help implement systems, automation, and reporting tools to improve accuracy and productivity
• Support organizational scaling, process documentation, and cross-functional accountability
• Participate in vendor management, software evaluations, and operational planning

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, labor-related reporting requirements, and financial controls
• Monitor risk exposure and implement policies/procedures to protect company assets and client funds
• Maintain strong controls around payroll processing accuracy and financial integrity
• Establish audit-ready procedures and documentation standards across accounting and payroll tax functions

Qualifications

• CPA preferred
• 5 years of progressive accounting/finance leadership experience
• Significant experience managing payroll tax operations within a payroll processing company, PEO, staffing firm, or related environment
• Strong understanding of multi-state payroll tax compliance, agency requirements, and payroll operations
• Experience overseeing accounting, payroll tax systems, HR/payroll platforms, and operational workflows
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Hands-on mentality with willingness to dive into operational and compliance details when needed

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is a strategic but highly practical finance leader who can balance high-level financial oversight with operational execution. They should possess deep payroll tax expertise, understand the importance of compliance and accuracy in payroll operations, and be capable of building scalable systems, processes, and controls in a growing organization.

Compensation

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus/incentive structure
• Benefits package
• Potential equity participation for the right candidate