The Financial Controller role
As garden3d’s Financial Controller, you’ll oversee the financial operations of our 30-person, ~$6MM/year collective of creative businesses, which specializes in software design and development, and associated businesses.
You will play a critical role in ensuring our financial health, compliance, and growth. This role is ideal for individuals who are strategic thinkers, detail-oriented, and experienced in managing finances for dynamic, non-conventional organizations. In addition to high-level financial oversight, you’ll be responsible for maintaining accurate accounting records, producing financial reports, and implementing robust financial controls to mitigate risk. You’ll also play a key role in guiding the company toward audit-level compliance while providing hands-on financial management leadership to both internal teams and external partners.
You’ll collaborate closely with our Founder/CEO and General Manager, and other company leaders, to ensure our financial strategies align with business goals.
Responsibilities:
Financial Strategy
- Partner with the General Manager to create and implement financial strategies that align with company objectives, including revenue growth, profitability, and cost management.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Own the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling financial forecasts to support decision-making. Provide regular updates on performance against budget.
Accounting Oversight
- Oversee all accounting operations, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, expense tracking, general ledger, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and revenue recognition.
- Ensure quality control over financial transactions and reporting.
- Lead the transition from cash basis to GAAP accounting, ensuring systems and processes are updated accordingly.
- Prepare and publish timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with GAAP.
Cash Flow & Financial Management
- Oversee cash flow planning and ensure sufficient funds are available for operational needs.
- Collaborate with the Director of Business Development to ensure accurate pricing, client billing, and profitability analysis for projects. Monitor accounts receivable and ensure timely collections.
- Build and maintain relationships with external financial partners such as auditors, tax advisors, and financial institutions.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with all applicable tax laws, regulations, and company policies. Work with external auditors and tax advisors to manage audits and filings.
- Develop and execute an audit readiness plan to meet audit-level compliance within 3 – 5 years.
- Coordinate with external auditors to ensure successful audit results and regulatory compliance.
- Advise on, and possibly implement and monitor risk management policies and procedures to safeguard company assets.
- Stay updated on industry trends, regulations, and best practices to ensure compliance and optimize financial performance.
Process Improvement
- Develop and document financial processes, accounting policies, and internal controls to maintain and strengthen financial operations.
- Refine financial systems and tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and reporting capabilities.
- Lead change management efforts, including training staff on updated accounting practices and financial procedures.
Team Leadership & Collaboration
- Partner with other leaders, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment aligned with company culture.
- Support department leads in understanding financial performance, costs, and budgets. Provide training as needed to ensure financial literacy across teams.
- Set objectives and goals for the finance team, monitor performance, and provide ongoing feedback.
- Collaborate cross-functionally to support overall company goals and objectives.
Culture
- Foster a culture of financial accountability, transparency, and strategic decision-making throughout the organization.
Qualifications
This is a great opportunity for someone looking to make a significant impact in a growing, dynamic company. You’ll be a key partner in shaping our financial future while ensuring we remain a sustainable and thriving organization.
Based on the responsibilities of this role, we think the right candidate has at least 5+ years in a similar role, sporting the following experience and skills:
🔑 Must have:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. CPA or equivalent qualification strongly preferred.
- At least 5 years of experience in a financial management role, preferably within a professional services or client-focused organization.
- Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, and audit processes. Proven experience transitioning from cash basis to GAAP accounting and preparing for external audits
- Proficiency with modern accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks Online, Xero) and advanced Excel/Google Sheets skills. Experience with ERP systems is a plus.
- Fluency and deep understanding Tax Efficiency best practices.
- Proven ability to create and manage budgets, forecasts, and financial models.
- Exceptional analytical skills with attention to detail and accuracy.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
- Demonstrated project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities among fast-moving work streams.
- Located between Pacific Standard Time (UTC-8) and Central European Time (UTC+2).
🧁 Nice-to-have:
- Experience directly filing taxes on behalf of businesses, and conducting day-to-day book keeping.
- Experience calculating EBIDTA & making business valuations.
- Experience with Perpetual Purpose Trusts, EOSPs, Phantom Equity, etc.
- Experience working with co-ops, worker ownership, profit sharing and other such structures.
- Experience in a software development, design consultancy or other creative industry.
- Experience working with or at a Big Four or large public accounting firm.
- Familiarity with project-based accounting and financial metrics such as utilization and profitability.
- Experience implementing or optimizing financial systems and tools.
- Knowledge of international financial practices for companies operating across multiple regions.
- Previous experience working with outside legal counsel on financial aspects of contracts (e.g., NDAs, MSAs).
- A passion for working in a collaborative, creative environment.