Controller at MBE CPAs in Baraboo, WI

What's the role?

The Controller serves as the organization's senior financial leader and performs the responsibilities typically associated with a Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This position provides strategic and operational leadership for all financial activities, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and analysis, cash management, risk management, internal controls, compliance, and financial reporting.

MBE is a rapidly growing CPA firm operating alongside multiple affiliated companies, creating a dynamic and complex financial environment. Priorities move quickly, new opportunities emerge, and the Controller must be comfortable balancing multiple entities, competing priorities, deadlines, and strategic initiatives while ensuring strong financial stewardship across the organization.

As a key member of the leadership team, the Controller partners closely with firm and affiliate leadership to develop and execute financial strategies that support organizational objectives, drive operational excellence, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. The successful candidate will possess exceptional analytical, leadership, and business acumen skills, with the ability to translate complex financial and operational data into actionable insights that help guide organizational decisions.

Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

· 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 sound financial analysis and business intelligence.

· Lead long-term financial planning efforts to support organizational sustainability and growth.

· Present financial performance, forecasts, key metrics, and strategic recommendations to leadership.

· Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with organizational goals and long-term objectives.

Financial Planning, Analysis & Business Intelligence

· Lead the annual budget development process and ongoing forecasting activities.

· Develop and maintain financial models, forecasts, and business planning tools.

· Analyze profitability, revenue trends, labor costs, utilization metrics, productivity measures, and operational performance.

· Design, monitor, and report on key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and scorecards.

· Conduct variance analyses and provide recommendations to improve business performance.

· Lead scenario planning and sensitivity analyses to evaluate financial risks and opportunities.

· Identify opportunities for revenue growth, cost optimization, and process improvements through data-driven analysis.

· Translate financial and operational data into meaningful insights for firm leaders and stakeholders.

· Leverage reporting systems and business intelligence tools to enhance decision-making capabilities.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

· Direct all accounting operations for MBE CPAs and affiliated entities.

· Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed asset management.

· Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.

· Maintain compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

· Lead month-end and year-end close processes.

· Coordinate annual audits and preparation of required financial reports and tax filings.

· Ensure financial reporting accuracy, integrity, and transparency across all entities.

Treasury, Cash Management & Risk Management

· Lead cash flow forecasting and liquidity management activities.

· Manage banking relationships and financing arrangements.

· Oversee debt obligations, capital expenditures, and organizational investments.

· Develop strategies to optimize working capital and cash utilization.

· Identify, assess, and mitigate financial and operational risks.

Compliance & Internal Controls

· Establish and maintain effective internal controls, financial policies, and procedures.

· Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.

· Monitor financial governance practices and compliance initiatives.

· Protect organizational assets through strong financial controls and oversight.

· Implement corrective actions resulting from audits, reviews, or compliance assessments.

Leadership & Team Development

· Lead, develop, coach, and mentor finance and accounting team members.

· Establish departmental goals, objectives, and performance expectations.

· Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and service.

· Support succession planning and professional development initiatives.

· Lead financial, operational, and cross-functional projects from planning through implementation.

Minimum Qualifications

We're looking for someone who combines strong accounting expertise with strategic leadership, business insight, and the ability to influence organizational decisions.

· Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.

· Seven to ten years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience.

· Three to five 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 with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.

· Demonstrated ability to communicate financial information effectively to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.

· Strong technology aptitude and the ability to leverage financial systems and reporting tools.

· Ability to manage confidential financial information with professionalism and discretion.

Preferred Qualifications

· Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation.

· MBA or other 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.

What makes someone successful in this role?

You'll thrive in this role if you're someone who can see beyond the numbers.

We're looking for a financial leader who can maintain exceptional accounting processes while helping the business leverage financial and operational data to make smarter decisions. The right person understands both the details and the bigger picture. One day you may be reviewing financial statements or cash flow forecasts, while the next you're developing long-term strategy, leading a cross-functional project, coaching a team member, or helping leadership evaluate a major business opportunity.

Success in this position requires strong financial and business acumen, exceptional analytical skills, sound judgment, and the ability to translate complex information into practical recommendations that drive organizational performance.

Great Perks and Benefits

Some major perks this firm can offer are long-term job stability, flexibility that supports both professional responsibility and life outside of work, and significant opportunities to grow your career within the firm. In addition:

· Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.

· FSA/HSA account options.

· 401(k) employer matching program to save for retirement.

· Tuition reimbursement, CPA assistance, and professional growth opportunities through continuing education.

· Supplemental insurance options for life, AD&D, STD, LTD, and critical illness.

· Bonuses for bringing new clients and team members to the CPA firm and our affiliated companies.

· Incredible potential for upward mobility and career growth in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment.

What will my schedule and work location look like?

One of the great things about this opportunity is the flexibility of where the right person can be based.

We're open to candidates working from any MBE office location, and a fully remote work arrangement may be considered for the right candidate. Travel to our Baraboo, WI HQ office 5-8 times a year will be required.

Regardless of location, we're looking for someone who can build strong relationships and work effectively with team members and leaders across the firm. This is a salaried role with unlimited PTO and an expectation to work 2,110 hours per year.

So how can I be considered for this opportunity?

The first step is applying with your resume. Qualified candidates will complete a phone screen with HR followed by an interview with firm leadership.

What else are you hiring for?

See all MBE CPAs openings on their website or reach out to Lead Recruiter Brock Kazda on LinkedIn.

More About the MBE Affiliate Group

MBE CPAs is a team of accounting experts who use our industry-based knowledge to help others succeed in their financial journeys. We expanded our services from just accounting and tax to include an affiliate group of services to support our clients across the United States. We operate out of 19 office locations in Wisconsin, Arizona, Nebraska, and Colorado along with remote team member offices around the country.