Assistant Controller, Client Onboarding

Topo Advisors•Indianapolis, IN

1d•Remote

About The Position

Topo is hiring an Assistant Controller for its Client Onboarding team. Topo provides fractional embedded accounting and finance support to venture-backed companies, helping early-stage companies succeed. This role works hands-on with CEOs and leadership teams at software and services companies during their first 30–60 days with Topo, establishing a clean, well-built accounting foundation. The Assistant Controller takes new clients from signed agreement to operational readiness by assessing their systems and books, setting them up in Topo’s systems, cleaning up historical accounting, and establishing sound processes. The role manages several new client engagements at once and hands clients off to the ongoing accounting team. It can be performed remotely from within the United States; Topo is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The role is expected to become increasingly strategic as the individual grows within Topo.

Requirements

At least 4 years of experience in public accounting, corporate accounting or finance, or similar experience, including month-end close, reconciliations, and cleanup or catch-up accounting.
Strong quantitative skills and strong experience with spreadsheet software.
Familiarity with QuickBooks.
Organized, with a high attention to detail and accuracy.
Self-starter who can put ideas into action.
Enjoys working with numbers and helping people.
Comfortable diagnosing and cleaning up messy books and improving accounting foundations.
Comfortable working directly with clients, asking questions, and setting clear expectations during periods of change.
Able to manage several onboarding engagements at different stages, keep them on track against tight timelines, and produce clear documentation.
Able to shift between strategic thinking and tactical execution.
Able to embrace ambiguity, uncertainty, and changing business landscapes.
Authorized to work in the United States without needing sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

CPA is strongly preferred.
Experience implementing or migrating accounting systems and integrated tools.
Strong understanding of and interest in startups.

Responsibilities

Kick off new client engagements by gathering system access, documents, and background on the client’s business and accounting history.
Assess clients’ current accounting systems, chart of accounts, technology stack, and historical books to identify cleanup needs, gaps, and risks.
Set up new clients in Topo’s systems and tools, including designing or restructuring charts of accounts and configuring bank and credit card feeds and integrations with payroll, billing, and expense platforms.
Perform historical cleanup, including account reconciliations, catch-up bookkeeping, reclassifications, and adjusting entries.
Run clients’ first month-end closes with Topo and establish close checklists, reconciliation schedules, and reporting packages.
Support initial budget and cash flow setup where in scope.
Document and implement accounting processes and workflows, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, revenue, and expense management, and recommend improvements where needed.
Coordinate with tax advisors and prior accountants to obtain records and resolve open items, ensuring timely and accurate deliverables.
Support and guide Topo team members assisting on onboarding engagements.
Research technical accounting questions arising during cleanup and setup and provide guidance internally and to clients.
Prepare complete handoff documentation and support a smooth transition to the ongoing Topo accounting team.