Controller - Part Time up to 30hrs 100-125k

Blueline Search Group•Chicago, IL

1d•$100,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Our client is seeking a financially rigorous, intellectually curious, and growth-oriented Controller to serve as the operational and strategic financial backbone of our organization — with a clear path toward senior financial leadership. This role is designed as a steppingstone to senior financial leadership. The right candidate will have the opportunity to expand their scope over time — taking on strategic planning and executive-level decision support as the organization grows. Beyond accurate books and regulatory compliance, this role is expected to be a value driver — helping the firm improve margins, manage risk, and make smarter financial decisions. We value intellectual curiosity and a bias toward improvement. The ideal candidate will proactively identify inefficiencies and propose solutions — not because they're asked to, but because they can't help it.

Requirements

7–10 years of relevant experience in finance, compliance, or related roles.
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field; CPA preferred.
In-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Preferred experience in Broker/Dealer finance.
Strong technical, quantitative, and analytical skills.
Proficiency in QuickBooks and strong working knowledge of modern financial tools; experience with ERP systems, business intelligence platforms (e.g., Power BI, Tableau), or financial automation tools is a plus.
Comfortable leveraging AI-powered tools (e.g., for financial analysis, reporting automation, anomaly detection) and eager to explore new applications.
Experience automating recurring financial tasks — or a demonstrated appetite to learn how.
Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to articulate complex concepts concisely.
Demonstrated ambition to grow into a CFO or senior finance leadership role, with a track record of expanding responsibilities over time.
A track record of independently identifying process gaps and implementing improvements that saved time, reduced risk, or improved accuracy.
Naturally inquisitive; someone who asks "why do we do it this way?" as a matter of habit.
Proven ability to translate financial data into actionable business insights — not just reporting what happened but explaining why and what to do about it.
Experience contributing to measurable improvements in financial performance (margin improvement, cost reduction, cash flow optimization, etc.).

Nice To Haves

FINRA Series 79, 24, and 27 licenses preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Compliance Establish and implement comprehensive finance policies and procedures to ensure accurate financial reporting and adherence to regulatory requirements.
Review monthly financial records prepared by outsourced accountant, verifying accuracy and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Complete month-end closing processes and prepare monthly financial statements for each subsidiary.
Prepare quarterly financial package for the board of directors.
Oversee the annual financial audit of the Broker Dealer.
Oversee the annual financial review of the consolidated entity.
Ensure preparation of timely and accurate reporting/filing of regulatory requirements, including quarterly FOCUS reports and SSOI reports.
Prepare semi-annual SIPC reports.
Accounting Operations Review A/P invoices, expense allocation, postings to the General Ledger, and payment processes.
Prepare payment of all vendor invoices.
Supervise customer invoice processes and accounts receivable collection.
Take part in annual insurance needs assessment and budget approval.
Review major vendor contracts on an annual or as-needed basis.
Prepare, monitor, and manage the annual budget.
Strategic Financial Leadership Partner with executive leadership on strategic financial planning, capital allocation, and long-range forecasting.
Present financial insights and recommendations directly to the CEO and Board, building executive communication skills over time.
Develop and track key financial performance indicators (KPIs) across the firm, surfacing insights that enable faster and more informed business decisions.
Identify cost reduction opportunities, revenue leakage, and working capital improvements through rigorous analysis.
Build financial models to support pricing decisions, vendor negotiations, strategic investments, and scenario planning.
Develop and mentor junior finance staff, building the team infrastructure needed to support a scaling organization.
Process Improvement & Technology Continuously evaluate existing financial workflows, systems, and controls — proactively identifying and implementing improvements.
Benchmark financial processes against industry best practices and bring forward recommendations without waiting to be prompted.
Evaluate and implement financial technology solutions that increase reporting efficiency, reduce manual processes, and improve data integrity.
Stay current with emerging fintech and AI tools relevant to financial operations and actively pilot those with organizational value.