Controller

MBE CPAs • Wausau, WI

3d • Remote

About The Position

The Controller serves as the organization’s senior financial leader, providing strategic and operational leadership across accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, cash management, risk management, internal controls, compliance, and financial reporting. The role supports MBE CPAs and its affiliated companies in a dynamic, multi-entity environment, balancing changing priorities, deadlines, and strategic initiatives while maintaining strong financial stewardship.

As a member of the leadership team, the Controller partners with firm and affiliate leaders to develop and execute financial strategies that support organizational objectives, operational excellence, growth, and long-term financial sustainability. The position translates complex financial and operational data into actionable insights to guide organizational decisions and leads the finance and accounting team. Candidates may work from an MBE office location, and fully remote work may be considered. Travel to the Baraboo, Wisconsin headquarters is required five to eight times per year. This salaried role has an expectation of 2,110 working hours per year and offers unlimited PTO.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Seven to ten years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience.
• At least three 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 leverage financial systems and reporting tools.
• Ability to handle confidential financial information professionally and discreetly.
• Ability to travel to the Baraboo, Wisconsin headquarters five to eight times per year.
• Ability to meet the role’s expectation of 2,110 working hours per year.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Partner with executive leadership on strategic planning, organizational growth initiatives, and major business decisions.
• Evaluate the financial implications of operational initiatives, investments, acquisitions, expansion opportunities, and strategic projects; provide recommendations based on 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 budget development and ongoing forecasting; develop and maintain financial models, forecasts, and business planning tools.
• Analyze profitability, revenue trends, labor costs, utilization, productivity, and operational performance; conduct variance, scenario, and sensitivity analyses.
• Design, monitor, and report on KPIs, dashboards, and scorecards, using reporting and business intelligence tools to improve decision-making.
• Identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost optimization, and process improvement, and translate financial and operational data into useful insights for stakeholders.
• Direct accounting operations for MBE CPAs and affiliated entities, including the general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; maintain GAAP compliance and lead month-end and year-end close processes.
• Coordinate annual audits and preparation of required financial reports and tax filings; ensure reporting accuracy, integrity, and transparency across entities.
• Lead cash-flow forecasting and liquidity management; manage banking relationships and financing arrangements; oversee 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 compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Monitor financial governance and compliance initiatives, protect organizational assets, and implement corrective actions resulting from audits, reviews, or compliance assessments.
• Lead, develop, coach, and mentor finance and accounting team members; set 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 and professional growth 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