Controller

MBE CPAs • Madison, WI

5d

About The Position

The Controller is MBE's senior financial leader and performs responsibilities typically associated with a CFO. The role provides strategic and operational leadership for all financial activities, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, cash management, risk management, internal controls, compliance, and financial reporting.

MBE is a rapidly growing CPA firm operating alongside multiple affiliated companies, creating a dynamic, complex financial environment. The Controller balances multiple entities, competing priorities, deadlines, and strategic initiatives while maintaining strong financial stewardship. As a member of the leadership team, this person partners with firm and affiliate leadership to develop and execute financial strategies that support organizational objectives, operational excellence, and long-term financial sustainability. The role requires analytical, leadership, and business acumen, including the ability to turn complex financial and operational data into actionable insights.

The position may be based at any MBE office; fully remote work may be considered for the right candidate. Travel to the Baraboo, Wisconsin headquarters is required 5–8 times per year. This is a salaried position with unlimited PTO and an expectation to work 2,110 hours per year.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience.
• Three to five years of leadership or management experience.
• Significant experience overseeing budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, audits, and internal controls.
• Thorough understanding of GAAP and financial management best practices.
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to communicate financial information effectively to financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Strong technology aptitude and ability to use financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to handle confidential financial information with professionalism and discretion.

Nice To Haves

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.
• MBA or another advanced business degree.
• Experience in a CPA firm, professional services organization, or similarly complex multi-entity environment.
• Experience with ERP systems, financial reporting software, and business intelligence platforms.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar analytics tools.
• Experience overseeing multiple entities, locations, or affiliated organizations.

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning, growth initiatives, and major business decisions.
• Evaluate the financial implications of operational initiatives, investments, acquisitions, expansion opportunities, and strategic projects; make recommendations using financial analysis and business intelligence.
• Lead long-term financial planning and develop financial strategies aligned with organizational goals and sustainability.
• Present financial performance, forecasts, key metrics, and strategic recommendations to leadership.
• Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting; develop and maintain financial models and business planning tools.
• Analyze profitability, revenue trends, labor costs, utilization, productivity, and operational performance.
• Design, monitor, and report KPIs, dashboards, and scorecards; conduct variance, scenario, and sensitivity analyses.
• Identify revenue growth, cost optimization, and process improvement opportunities through data-driven analysis, and translate data into useful insights for stakeholders.
• Use reporting systems and business intelligence tools to improve decision-making.
• Direct accounting operations for MBE CPAs and affiliated entities, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Ensure timely, accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; maintain GAAP compliance and lead month-end and year-end close.
• Coordinate annual audits and preparation of required financial reports and tax filings, ensuring accuracy, integrity, and transparency across entities.
• Lead cash-flow forecasting and liquidity management; manage banking relationships, financing arrangements, debt obligations, capital expenditures, and investments.
• Develop strategies to optimize working capital and cash utilization, and identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks.
• Establish and maintain internal controls, financial policies, and procedures; ensure regulatory compliance and monitor financial governance.
• Protect organizational assets and implement corrective actions resulting from audits, reviews, or compliance assessments.
• Lead, develop, coach, and mentor finance and accounting team members; establish departmental goals and performance expectations.
• Foster accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service; support succession planning and professional development.
• Lead financial, operational, and cross-functional projects from planning through implementation.

Benefits

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
• FSA/HSA account options.
• 401(k) employer matching program.
• Tuition reimbursement, CPA assistance, and continuing education opportunities.
• Supplemental life, AD&D, short-term disability, long-term disability, and critical illness insurance options.
• Bonuses for bringing new clients and team members to the CPA firm and affiliated companies.
• Unlimited PTO.
• Long-term job stability, flexibility, and opportunities for career growth and upward mobility.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior