Controller

$225,000 - $225,000/Yr

Los Angeles Football Club (Lafc) - Los Angeles, CA

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Los Angeles, CA

About the position

The Controller at Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the club's financial management, including accounting operations, audits, financial reporting, and compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). This role is crucial for developing internal controls and processes to support the club's growth and operational efficiency. The Controller will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer and will work in a hybrid model, requiring a minimum of 1-2 in-office days per week.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and ensure the accurate and timely completion of month-end and year-end general ledger closings in compliance with US GAAP across several legal entities.
• Direct and monitor all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts receivable (AR), accounts payable (AP), payroll, fixed assets, and financial reporting.
• Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for accounts payable and accounts receivable processes to drive accountability.
• Provide continuous support and guidance to the accounting team while effectively delegating tasks and responsibilities.
• Prepare and present monthly and annual financial statements and reports, including variance analysis, to drive strategic data-driven decisions.
• Develop, optimize, document, and maintain robust financial controls, policies, and procedures to ensure sound financial management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key external stakeholders, including Major League Soccer, auditors, and tax advisors, to ensure compliance with all financial regulations and requirements.
• Oversee compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations, including timely and accurate tax filings.
• Monitor debt levels and ensure adherence to debt covenants, including the preparation of quarterly lender reports.
• Lead the department in the annual audit process to provide accurate and timely reporting and submission of financial data requests.
• Oversee property tax tracking and manage tax appeals, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Assess and strengthen internal controls related to cash disbursements and daily cash monitoring and reporting.
• Act as a change agent by identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency and strengthen controls.
• Drive the implementation of automation and process improvements to increase timeliness, optimize resource allocation, save time, and further improve control measures.
• Other ad hoc projects and duties as assigned by Supervisor/Management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited College/University in Finance or Accounting required.
• Minimum of 10+ years of relevant financial management and accounting experience, with at least 5 years in an elevated leadership role managing a team and/or department.
• Candidates must possess an active CPA license.
• Previous public accounting experience required.
• Experience working within entertainment, a professional sports team, or with a major venue preferred.
• Thorough understanding of GAAP with previous experience in drafting and managing the implementation of accounting policies required.
• Demonstrable experience creating and modeling financial statements and analysis within a new organization.
• Previous experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) software required; preferably Sage Intaact.
• Ability to multitask, operate effectively, and make sound decisions in a dynamic working environment with frequent changes and tight deadlines.
• Exceptional communication skills with the ability to correspond effectively and efficiently both verbally and written.
• Must be reliable, trustworthy, and able to maintain professionalism and high confidentiality.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite programs (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Flexible schedule with the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as required by financial deadlines.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience in the sports industry or with a major venue.
• Familiarity with financial automation tools and software.

Benefits

• Competitive salary of $225,000 per year.
• Hybrid work model with flexibility in scheduling.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.