Controller

Type: Full-time, salaried exempt position; occasional travel may be required Salary Range: $90K to 110K; Midpoint for qualified candidates OVERVIEW The Sports Bra promotes, empowers, and supports girls and women in sports and their fans in the communities where its bars are located by showing women’s sports exclusively on its TVs. Our fast-growing brand of bars and restaurants offers traditional, vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free menu items, as well as alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, sourced whenever possible from women-owned and -operated businesses. We offer a welcoming place of belonging to historically marginalized community members and donate at least 1% of all proceeds to support organizations that promote access, representation, and inclusivity for girls, women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ community members. Every member of our team is expected to serve as a role model, exhibiting our values and advancing our mission. POSITION SUMMARY This role is an opportunity to step in as the financial backbone of a fast‑growing, multi‑unit franchise organization and national brand leader in women’s sports hospitality. As Controller, you’ll own the full accounting function from month‑end close to year‑end readiness, while building the systems, controls, and processes that will carry the brand through its exciting next stage of growth. You’ll partner closely with Operations, HR, Marketing, and Leadership to translate real‑world activity into clean financials, scalable workflows, and reliable reporting. This is a hands‑on, high‑visibility role for someone who thrives in a dynamic, resource‑conscious environment and wants to shape the financial infrastructure of a rapidly expanding franchise system. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS The Controller reports directly to the CEO with oversight from the Fractional CFO SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES In maintaining the primary responsibility for financial accounting and controls, the Controller must undertake responsibilities including the following: Financial Operations and Month-End Close Lead the full monthly close across multiple entities, delivering timely, accurate, GAAP‑aligned financials. Manage A/P and A/R, including invoice/bill processing, collections oversight, payment approvals, and reconciliations Prepare and review reconciliations, accruals, journal entries, depreciation/amortization, and consolidations Maintain a clean, audit‑ready general ledger and documentation trail Inventory Oversight and Analysis Oversee inventory accounting processes, including valuation, reconciliation, and accurate reporting Partner with operations to ensure inventory controls are in place and consistently followed Perform regular inventory analysis and weekly reporting for merchandise, including variance analysis, aging, and shrinkage Support the restaurant team with monthly merchandise inventory, providing documentation and explaining any count variances Develop and maintain reporting to provide visibility into inventory performance and risks Systems, Controls, and Process Design Assess, build, and refine accounting processes, controls, and workflows that scale with franchise and restaurant growth Evaluate existing workflows and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and accountability Document and maintain accounting policies, SOPs, checklists, and flowcharts Strengthen internal controls and reduce the risk of errors in partnership with the CFO Apply curiosity and historical context to improve processes in practical, scalable ways that strengthen controls and support growth Franchise and Multi‑Entity Support Manage franchise‑related accounting, including FDD‑driven requirements, franchise fees, brand fund activity, and related reconciliations. Serve as the primary contact for franchise royalty and brand development fee activity, including reconciliations and issue resolution. Compliance, Reporting, and Audit Prepare financials for the CFO, auditors, and tax advisors Assemble PBC documentation and coordinate annual audits and fundraising‑related reviews Maintain organized, audit‑ready documentation for contracts, insurance, licenses, and compliance records Support state registrations, franchise requirements, and financial disclosures Assist CFO with annual budgets, forecasts, and financial presentations Year‑End Close Lead year‑end close, ensuring all accounts and schedules are complete and audit‑ready Prepare year‑end workpapers, account analyses, and supporting documentation Identify and resolve accounting issues, process gaps, and documentation deficiencies ahead of deadlines Cross‑Functional Partnership, Training, and Process Ownership Build strong, collaborative relationships with Operations, HR, Marketing, and department managers to ensure financial clarity, alignment, and shared accountability Provide ongoing training and guidance on financial processes, policies, and best practices Serve as a key resource, helping managers understand financial results and their financial responsibilities by establishing clear expectations across departments, including budgeting, expense management purchasing, and related workflows Translate operational activity and new initiatives into scalable financial systems, controls, and reporting Drive cross‑functional projects to completion and ensure decisions convert into documented processes and measurable results QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA preferred 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including controllership or senior accountant roles. Multi‑unit franchise or hospitality experience required Strong understanding of GAAP, financial controls, and audit‑ready documentation Effective and comfortable in a growing, resource‑conscious environment where systems are still being built Able to balance transactional work with process improvement and long‑term thinking Clear, concise written and verbal communication skills Belief in high standards of accuracy, transparency, and collaboration Strong operational understanding and a systems‑minded approach to bridging finance and restaurant operations Excellent project and workload management skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands and communicate timelines clearly Excellent interpersonal skills required to successfully develop internal and external relationships at various levels, initiate new contacts, and maintain harmonious relationships What Success Looks Like A clean, timely, predictable month‑end close with minimal adjustments Reliable financial information that supports informed decision‑making Strong, collaborative partnerships across the organization Operational workflows aligned with accurate accounting and clean reporting An audit‑ready foundation that supports organizational growth and franchise system maturity Projects driven to completion with documented processes, controls, and measurable results Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. #J-18808-Ljbffr