Strategic Finance Controller

Who is UJV? Planning and managing a 5-star vacation from scratch requires expertise, cleverness, and a genuine passion for detail. That's what UJV is all about. UJV is a service-driven team of experts that work behind the scenes, engineering luxury travel experiences for advisors globally, so they can grow their business and fully satisfy their exclusive clients. We are the luxury travel advisor’s right hand. How? UJV is a team of travel experts that advises and supports luxury travel advisors worldwide. We work behind the scenes as allies of top luxury travel advisors, to offer a 5 Star experience for their clients. We offer travel advisors the knowledge and tools needed to grow their business and better serve their exclusive clients. We offer an experience-centered service based on passion, expertise, integrity and attention to detail. We are willing to do the hard work in order to see our clients shine. Role Mission At Ultimate Jet Vacations, finance is more than balancing the books, it's about protecting the business, enabling smart decisions, and building the financial infrastructure that allows us to scale confidently. We're looking for a Controller who will serve as a strategic partner, owning the integrity of our accounting operations, strengthening financial controls, and ensuring accurate, timely financial reporting across the organization. This role goes beyond traditional accounting. You'll lead process improvements, optimize financial operations, guide the accounting team, and help leadership make informed, profit-driven decisions through reliable financial data. Responsibilities Accounting Operations Oversee all accounting operations, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, cost accounting, and treasury management. Ensure the accuracy, completeness, and integrity of all financial transactions. Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes while continuously improving efficiency. Prepare and review internal and external financial statements in accordance with GAAP standards. Financial Controls & Compliance Develop, implement, and continuously improve accounting policies and internal controls. Ensure compliance with applicable tax regulations and statutory requirements. Coordinate internal and external audits, serving as the primary point of contact for auditors and regulatory agencies. Proactively identify financial risks and implement mitigation strategies. Financial Strategy & Cash Protection Drive expense optimization by monitoring spending trends to ensure expense growth remains below profit growth. Support cash flow management through accurate forecasting, financial controls, and hedging strategies where appropriate. Provide leadership with meaningful financial insights that support profitable decision-making. Process Improvement Evaluate and optimize financial workflows to improve accuracy, scalability, and efficiency. Continuously improve the month-end close process and reporting timelines. Assess accounting systems and recommend technology improvements that enhance financial operations. Leverage automation and AI tools to streamline accounting processes and reporting. Leadership & Collaboration Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team while fostering accountability and continuous improvement. Partner closely with executive leadership to provide financial guidance and strategic recommendations. Collaborate cross-functionally to improve department visibility across the organization. Build scalable financial processes that support UJV's continued growth. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. CPA certification preferred. 5-7 years of progressive accounting or controllership experience. Strong experience managing full-cycle accounting operations in a multi-entity environment. Advanced proficiency with accounting platforms (TRAMS experience is highly preferred). Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills, including financial modeling and analysis. Experience with multi-entity consolidations and intercompany reconciliations. Proven experience improving month-end close processes and strengthening internal controls. Experience managing external audits and working with regulatory agencies.Strong understanding of GAAP and/or IFRS. Experience leveraging AI tools and automation within finance operations is highly preferred. Hospitality, travel, or service industry experience is a plus. Full professional proficiency in English, both written and verbal. Bonus Points Experience leading ERP or accounting system implementations or migrations. Treasury or foreign exchange (hedging) experience. Experience supporting private equity-backed or high-growth organizations. Knowledge of business intelligence tools such as Tableau or Power BI. Experience implementing finance automation initiatives. Who You Are You're someone who naturally builds structure, protects the business, and raises the standard of financial excellence wherever you go. You don't simply report numbers; you understand the story behind them and help leadership make better business decisions. You're highly analytical but equally comfortable leading people, improving processes, and communicating financial information to non-financial audiences. You believe strong controls enable growth rather than slow it down, and you're always looking for smarter, more efficient ways of working. Most importantly, you take ownership of the company's financial health as if it were your own. Why You'll Love This Role As Controller, you'll play a key leadership role within the Finance organization and have direct influence on how UJV scales its financial operations. You'll partner closely with the Head of Finance to strengthen financial controls, improve reporting, optimize accounting processes, and help build the infrastructure needed to support the company's continued growth. If you're excited about combining operational excellence, strategic thinking, leadership, and continuous improvement, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact. #J-18808-Ljbffr