Lead Fractional Controller

Company: Smallbiz Controller

This is not a maintenance role.
It's a builder role, for someone who wants ownership, wants to lead, and is done being the person who prepares work for someone else to review.
Who We Are
SmallBizController is an outsourced accounting firm built specifically for small businesses. Our clients are founders, e-commerce brands, and inventory-based businesses  people who've outgrown spreadsheets and part-time bookkeepers but don’t have a full in-house accounting team.
We handle everything from month-end close to cash flow planning to e-commerce reconciliation. We're the controller they never had.
We're a small, remote, async-friendly firm, no corporate bureaucracy, direct communication, fast decisions. The kind of place where the work you do on Monday is already making a difference by Friday.
As we're growing, we're looking for the person who will become the operational backbone of our client delivery. This is not a bookkeeping role, this is not a staff accounting role, this is a controller-level leadership position, and eventually, this person will replace the founder in day-to-day client delivery.
What You'll Do
Client Relationships & Financial Leadership
* Serve as the primary controller-level contact for your own book of clients
* Lead monthly financial review meetings and present results in plain English
* Identify cash flow risks, margin problems, and accounting issues before they become crises
* Build trust with founders and push back professionally when needed
Month-End Close & Accounting Accuracy
* Own the month-end close process for assigned clients, start to finish
* Review balance sheet reconciliations, journal entries, and accruals
* Review financial statements before delivery to every client
* Ensure revenue, COGS, inventory, payroll, and expenses are classified correctly
* Identify and clean up historical accounting issues
* Develop tax plans with the support of the tax accountant
E-Commerce & Inventory Accounting
* Oversee the reconciliation of Shopify and Amazon sales activity to the accounting system
* Review gross margin, COGS, merchant fees, inventory movements, and channel profitability
* Help clients understand product-level economics, not just the totals
Team Leadership & Process Building
* Manage bookkeepers and staff accountants, delegate clearly, review rigorously, hold standards high
* Build SOPs, checklists, and repeatable workflows for the team
* Train and develop junior team members
* Reduce the founder's involvement in day-to-day delivery, that's the mission
Systems & Advisory
* Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
* Build or improve client reporting packages and financial dashboards
* Identify automation opportunities and reduce manual work
Systems You'll Work In
* Accounting → QuickBooks Online, Xero, Odoo
* Payroll & Spend → Gusto, Ramp
* Sales Channels → Shopify, Amazon, Etsy, others.
* Project Management → ClickUp
* Communication: Slack
What We're Looking For
Required
* 5+ years of accounting experience, with 3+ years owning and leading month-end close
* Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, CAS Manager, or strong Senior Accountant background
* Experience reviewing and approving work, not just preparing it
* E-commerce, manufacturing, or inventory-based business accounting experience
* Expert-level QuickBooks Online and/or Xero
* Strong balance sheet instincts, you can spot a problem without being told where to look
* Ability to explain financials to non-accountants clearly and confidently
* Experience managing client relationships in an outsourced, CAS, or fractional capacity
You'll Stand Out If You Have
* CPA, CMA, or an accounting degree
* QuickBooks ProAdvisor or Xero Advisor certification
* Experience with Odoo, Gusto, Connectbooks, A2X, or Ramp
* Prior outsourced accounting, public accounting, or fractional controller experience
Why Join SmallBizController
* 💼 Real ownership — your own client portfolio, your own the team
* 📈 Clear growth path — designed to grow into the primary delivery lead for the firm
* 🌏 Flexibility — remote, async-friendly, open to employee, contractor, or fractional white-labelled services
* 💰 Strong comp — $120K–$160K annualized + performance bonuses
* 🚫 No corporate bureaucracy — small firm, direct communication, fast decisions
* ✅ Meaningful work — helping small business owners make better financial decisions
How To Apply
Email hr@smallbizcontroller.io with:
1. Your resume
2. A short video on your e-commerce or inventory accounting experience and why this role is the right fit
3. The accounting systems you know and your honest proficiency level in each
No cover letter needed. We value substance over polish.
We review on a rolling basis and move quickly for strong candidates.

apply