Controller

Cobalt Service Partners • Boston, MA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Cobalt Service Partners (CSP) is building the nation's leading commercial access and security integration platform. Backed by Alpine Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm, we grow by acquiring businesses that install, maintain, and repair commercial gates, doors, loading docks, and integrated security systems. Since launching in late 2023, Cobalt has successfully acquired 22 partner companies and established itself as one of the leading platforms in a highly attractive and fragmented industry. We have done this by partnering with founder-led companies that have spent decades earning trust in their local markets. Our mission is to honor those legacies, enhance operations through disciplined execution, and drive growth through high-frequency M&A.

As Controller, you'll own accounting for an acquired operating company(s), covering the monthly close, reporting, controls, payroll oversight, and the annual audit. Our businesses are project-based, so revenue recognition, job costing, and cash management are at the center of the work. This is a hands-on role for someone who likes the details and wants real ownership. You will be building a finance function and leading the team through the changes that come with joining the Cobalt platform, while working closely with our experienced regional finance team.

Requirements

• 7+ years of accounting experience, with a technical foundation from public accounting, audit/assurance, or complex operational accounting.
• Strong command of GAAP, including project revenue recognition (ASC 606), percentage-of-completion, and work-in-process accounting.
• Experience integrating acquired businesses, including consolidating systems, processes, or reporting across entities
• Comfort working across multiple ERP, accounting, and payroll platforms (such as ADP and mid-market ERPs) in a multi-entity or growing environment and picking up new ones quickly.
• Strong Excel and modeling skills (lookups, pivot tables, and comparable techniques).
• Self-managing, well-organized, and a genuine self-starter who brings structure to ambiguity.
• Clear written and verbal communication.

Nice To Haves

• Experience at a construction or project-based company (ideally 100–200 employees) with complex inventory considerations
• Exposure to M&A accounting (ASC 805), such as opening balance sheets, purchase price allocation, or working capital true-ups
• Prior experience supervising others
• CPA

Responsibilities

• Run a fast, accurate close and flash report. Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Own revenue recognition under ASC 606, job costing, and WIP (over/under billings) across active projects. Establish and manage cycle counts and inventory accounting.
• Own the accuracy of the income statement and balance sheet, including deferred revenue, accruals, prepaids, and fixed assets. Prepare the monthly financial package and variance analysis, and explain notable swings to leadership.
• Lead the finance integration of acquired businesses. Align charts of accounts, accounting policies, and processes, and consolidate reporting across entities.
• Record, reconcile, and settle intercompany activity with the Cobalt platform finance team and sister companies.
• Build and maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast.
• Create, document, and maintain standard procedures for close, AP/AR, payroll, and reporting. Replace manual or risky workflows with standardized, automated ones, and support the regional team on ERP implementations and integrations.
• Lead support for the annual audit, including PBC schedules and auditor questions. Keep tax and regulatory filings current, working with outside tax advisors.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, prepare the annual budget, and track the KPIs that drive the business.
• Lead and develop accounting staff where applicable. Partner with FP&A, AP, AR, tax, and operations to ensure payroll, AR, and AP accurate and on time.
• Guide the team through new systems, policies, and reporting requirements. Explain what’s changing and why, train staff, and make sure new processes stick.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus, benchmarked to your market and the scope of the seat.
• Full health benefits
• 401(k) with match
• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Life and disability coverage
• Professional development support

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed