Controller

Bristlecone Companies•Chicago, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Bristlecone Companies is hiring a Controller to own accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance across its headquarters and portfolio of acquired businesses. The Controller will build the next stage of operational maturity for the finance function, establishing repeatable processes, systems, and reporting standards that can scale as the company acquires additional businesses. The role reports directly to the CEO and is based in Chicago, with occasional travel to operating companies. The Controller will own monthly close and consolidation, investor and lender reporting, cash and treasury, tax compliance and audit readiness, payroll, benefits, insurance administration, and equity-plan and cap-table administration. They will support budgeting and rolling forecasts, onboard acquired businesses to company systems and reporting practices, and use automation and AI to reduce manual work and improve the timeliness and accuracy of financial information. As Bristlecone scales, the role may grow to include broader finance leadership, including FP&A and M&A diligence. Compensation includes a competitive base salary, annual bonus, and equity participation structured for long-term compounding.

Requirements

Active CPA.
At least 5 years of accounting experience.
Experience beginning in public accounting.
Hands-on ownership of a multi-entity close and consolidation.
Advanced Excel skills.
Advanced NetSuite skills.
Demonstrated use of automation and AI tools to make accounting work faster and more accurate.
Strong technical accounting judgment and commercial sense.
Clear, precise, thoughtful communication skills.
Hands-on, resourceful approach and ability to own outcomes in a lean team.

Nice To Haves

Experience in recurring-revenue businesses, at a holding company, serial acquirer, or PE-backed company.
Ramp experience.
Experience with AI tools such as Claude Cowork or Codex, or similar tools.
Interest or experience in broader finance leadership, including FP&A and M&A diligence.

Responsibilities

Own monthly close and consolidation across headquarters and operating companies; establish the chart of accounts, close calendar, and portfolio-wide reporting standards.
Use automation and AI to eliminate manual accounting work, shorten the close, and provide leadership with timely visibility into performance.
Manage financial reporting for investors and lenders, explaining financial results and changes.
Support the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling forecasts across headquarters and operating companies, with potential to lead these processes as the company scales.
Onboard newly acquired businesses to company systems and reporting practices, including opening balance sheets, chart-of-accounts mapping, and ERP migration; make the process repeatable.
Manage cash, accounts payable, and treasury across entities.
Administer the cap table and equity plans, and maintain a forward-looking view of major obligations, including debt, earn-outs, and incentive-plan payments.
Own tax compliance and audit readiness with outside advisors, and help shape tax planning as the company grows.
Own payroll, benefits, and insurance administration.