Client Onboarding Controller
About The Position
Breakwater Accounting & Advisory is hiring a Client Onboarding Controller, internally referred to as Lead Onboarding Project Manager, to own and elevate the client onboarding experience. This is not a passive project management role. It’s a hands-on leadership position where your accounting expertise, judgment, and ability to guide both clients and team members directly shape long-term client success. You’ll lead a team, serve as the primary client contact during onboarding, and ensure every client is set up with clean financials, clear processes, and confidence in their numbers.
Requirements
- 5+ years of accounting or bookkeeping experience (CPA firm or outsourced environment preferred)
- Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Accounting
- Strong controller-level skills, including financial review and issuing statements. Familiarity with revenue recognition, deferred revenue, and other advanced accounting topics.
- Experienced managing multiple clients and priorities simultaneously
- Proven people leader who can develop talent and hold a high bar
- Process-oriented and detail-driven, without losing sight of the bigger picture
- Tech-savvy, with strong, recent QuickBooks Online experience
Nice To Haves
- Experience with onboarding or project management in an outsourced accounting or professional services setting.
- Exposure to audit processes or internal control design.
Responsibilities
- Lead the full onboarding lifecycle for new clients - from kickoff through transition to their long-term team
- Serve as the primary client contact, building trust through clear communication and strong financial guidance
- Review and issue accurate financials, ensuring quality and consistency from day one
- Coordinate across AP, AR, Payroll, and Accounting to ensure all services are aligned and delivered seamlessly
- Build, refine, and scale onboarding processes to improve speed, quality, and client experience
- Lead, coach, and develop a team; driving accountability, growth, and high standards
Benefits
- Be part of a fast-growing, innovative accounting firm with a strong reputation and national reach.
- Advisory-first work – your value is in your thinking, not just your output
- Real impact – Shape the onboarding experience for clients and help define scalable processes for the future.
- Flexibility – remote work with autonomy over your non-meeting time
- Supportive team – collaborative, low-ego environment that shares ideas and solutions
- People-first culture – we care about our team and our clients as people
- Modern, tech-forward approach – always improving how we work
- Generous time off – five weeks PTO + holidays
- Benefits + 401(k) match
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Number of Employees
11-50 employees
