Job Title: Controller
Department: PuzzleHQ
Location: Hybrid - Central and Southwest Florida (Orlando, Tampa Bay, and Sarasota areas)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Revised: 08/20/2026
Job SummaryThe Controller is a senior, hands-on accounting leader responsible for the integrity of the company's financial records, the monthly and annual close process, internal controls, and day-to-day accounting operations. The Controller is a highly experienced accounting professional who has operated in a high-transaction-volume, multi-entity, and/or multi-state environment, ideally within professional services, staffing, PEO, or HR services, and who is comfortable both directing a team and personally rolling up their sleeves. The Controller will manage a team of accounting professionals and play a central role in financial reporting, compliance, cash management, and process improvement as the company continues to grow.
This is a hybrid position requiring the need to travel to our Tampa, Florida office as needed.
Job Duties and ResponsibilitiesFinancial Reporting & Close- Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accurate and timely GAAP-compliant financial statements.
- Prepare and review consolidated financial statements across multiple entities and/or locations, as applicable.
- Deliver management reporting packages, KPI dashboards, and variance analysis to the executive team and ownership/board as required.
- Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, and month-end close checklist; drive continuous reduction in close-cycle time.
Accounting Operations & Internal Controls- Directly manage accounts payable, accounts receivable/billing, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and general accounting functions.
- Design, document, and enforce internal controls (SOX-lite or formal SOX, as applicable) to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Oversee client billing and revenue recognition specific to a professional services / HR services model, including gross vs. net billing treatment where relevant.
- Ensure accurate accounting for payroll tax liabilities, workers' compensation, benefits administration, and other HR-services-specific cost pools.
Compliance, Audit & Tax- Serve as primary point of contact for external auditors, tax preparers, and banking relationships; manage the annual audit and/or review process.
- Ensure compliance with multi-state payroll tax, sales/use tax, and other regulatory filing requirements relevant to multi-state professional services.
- Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including coordination on 401(k)/benefit plan audits where applicable.
Planning, Cash & Treasury- Partner with the executive team on annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial planning.
- Manage daily cash positioning, banking relationships, and line-of-credit compliance and reporting.
- Monitor working capital, including accounts receivable aging/collections and accounts payable, to support healthy cash flow.
Leadership & Business Partnership- Act as a trusted financial advisor to the executive leadership, and operational leaders across the business.
- Lead or support ERP and finance systems improvements, automation, and process standardization as the company scales.
- Support due diligence, M&A integration, or new-entity onboarding activity as the company grows (as applicable).
- Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team; set clear goals and provide ongoing coaching and performance management.
Required Skills- Deep working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and demonstrated ownership of a full-cycle, monthly/annual close process.
- Proven experience managing and developing an accounting team (staff accountants, AP/AR).
- Hands-on experience with a modern ERP/accounting system (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar) and advanced Excel skills.
- Experience with payroll tax compliance across multiple states and/or co-employment/PEO accounting models.
- Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial executives and ownership.
Education and Experience- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
- 10+ (Ten) years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 (five) years in a Controller or senior accounting leadership role preferred.
- Certified Public Accountant a plus.
- Experience in professional services, staffing, PEO (Professional Employer Organization), or HR outsourcing/services industries preferred.
Physical Requirements- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to move up to 15 pounds at times.
- Must be able to participate in video conferences/meetings.
Salary Description
$125,000.00 - $150,000.00
