Controller

Vitalief•King of Prussia, PA

20h•Remote

About The Position

Vitalief is a trusted partner to Sponsors, CROs, and Sites across the research and clinical trials landscape. By blending deep subject matter expertise with strong business acumen, we deliver Consulting and Functional Service Provider (FSP) solutions that empower organizations to do more with less, streamlining operations, reducing costs, and accelerating breakthroughs that ultimately benefit patients. As part of our growth, we are seeking an experienced Controller to lead all financial and accounting operations for our growing clinical research consulting firm. This is a highly visible, hands-on role that partners closely with the CEO and leadership team. The ideal candidate has prior experience working as a Controller in a small or mid-sized professional services or software solutions provider and is comfortable owning both day-to-day accounting and higher-level financial strategy. This role will play a critical part in financial planning, pricing strategy, sales forecasting, and preparing clear, insightful reporting for our Board of Directors. Why Join Vitalief? Make an Impact: High-impact role with direct access to executive leadership and an opportunity to shape financial strategy in a growing clinical research consulting firm Innovation-Driven: Be part of the cutting edge of service and technology to dramatically change the way research is conducted at leading academic medical centers for the better. People-First Culture: Collaborative, mission-driven environment. Rewarding Compensation: Competitive compensation (includes equity incentives) and benefits commensurate with experience. Flexible & Remote-Friendly: Primarily remote role with occasional meetings with leadership in King of Prussia. NOTE: We are seeking candidates that live within 100 miles of Philadelphia.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA or CMA preferred).
Proven experience working as a Controller.
7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
Strong knowledge of GAAP and project-based revenue recognition.
Advanced Excel skills; experience with accounting and financial reporting systems.
Experience preparing executive- and Board-level financial reports.
Hands-on, detail-oriented, and highly organized.
Strong analytical, modeling, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to translate financial data into clear business insights.
Comfortable partnering directly with a CEO and senior leadership.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to thrive in a lean, entrepreneurial environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in professional services, consulting, SaaS, life sciences, or clinical research preferred.
Startup or early-stage company experience is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Financial & Accounting Operations: Own all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, cash management, and month-end close; Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP; Perform journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and financial reviews; Maintain an appropriate chart of accounts for project-based consulting services.
Revenue & Project Accounting: Oversee revenue recognition for time-and-materials, fixed-fee, and milestone-based consulting engagements; Ensure accurate and timely client invoicing in accordance with contract terms; Track project financials, utilization, margins, and profitability by client and engagement; Partner with project leaders to monitor budgets and forecasts.
Strategic Finance & CEO Support: Assist the CEO with pricing strategy, financial modeling, and client profitability analysis; Support sales forecasting, pipeline analysis, and revenue projections; Manage and maintain the company’s capitalization table, including equity tracking and related reporting.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis: Develop annual budgets and rolling forecasts; Analyze variances between actuals, budget, and forecast; Monitor cash flow and working capital to ensure financial stability.
Board & Executive Reporting: Prepare accurate monthly and quarterly financial reports for the Board of Directors; Participate in Board meetings as needed to review financial results and forecasts.
Compliance, Controls & External Partners: Ensure compliance with GAAP, company policies, and applicable regulatory and contractual requirements; Coordinate with external CPA firms for tax preparation, audits, or reviews; Oversee payroll taxes, sales/use taxes, and other required filings.
Systems & Process Improvement: Maintain and improve accounting and financial systems (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar); Implement scalable processes and controls to support company growth; Document financial policies and procedures.