Corporate Controller - PE-backed Fiber Network Provider

Position: Controller

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Location: Remote with travel Indianapolis, IN

Duration & Type: Full-Time, Monday – Friday; Fully REMOTE

Company: A Rapidly Growing, Private Equity backed Fiber Network Provider

Compensation: Competitive base salary & year-end performance bonus. Total rewards include healthcare (medical, dental, vision), PTO policy, paid holidays, 401(k), and additional rewards.

Chamberlain Advisors is seeking a hands-on, forward-thinking Controller to join a rapidly growing, fiber-to-the-home internet service provider company. This is a high-impact leadership role for a builder who brings strong GAAP fundamentals, operational rigor, and a passion for creating scalable processes in a fast-paced, PE-backed environment. As a key partner to the CFO, you will modernize the accounting function, drive efficiency across month-end close and AP workflows, strengthen Capex, construction-in-process (CIP) reporting, and deliver insights that enhance financial and operational performance. We’re looking for a results-oriented leader who excels in elevating teams—especially in remote settings—and thrives in environments where structure must be built from the ground up. This role offers the opportunity to shape the accounting foundation of a company doubling in size and to play a meaningful role in its next stage of growth.

Summary Of Most Suitable Profile

The most suitable candidate is a hands-on, process-driven controller with strong GAAP fundamentals and demonstrated experience building accounting infrastructure in fast-growing, Capex-intensive environments such as fiber, telecom, broadband, cable, or telecom-adjacent construction. They have successfully led and elevated accounting teams—including remote staff—while implementing disciplined month-end close processes, strengthening reconciliations, modernizing AP workflows, and remediating non-GAAP practices. This candidate is a strategic thinker who goes beyond reporting numbers to interpret trends, identify risks, and support leadership with insight-rich analytics. They bring proven ERP ownership (NetSuite preferred), strong understanding of CIP/Capex accounting, and experience supporting lender reporting, covenant calculations, and cash-flow visibility. Ultimately, they are a builder with entrepreneurial energy, excited to step into a from-scratch environment and establish scalable processes in a fast-paced, PE-backed growth company.

Core profile: alignment with one of these two core profiles is required to get you in the conversation

• An Experienced Controller for a High-Growth, Capex-Intensive Environment: A hands-on accounting leader with experience stepping into developing or evolving environments and creating structure / building disciplined, GAAP-compliant processes from the ground up. Demonstrated ownership of month-end close, reconciliations, accruals, AP operations, and ERP optimization—preferably within NetSuite or another mid-market system—while improving speed, accuracy, and internal controls. Brings strong Capex/CIP accounting expertise, ideally from fiber, broadband, telecom infrastructure, or similarly project-based, asset-heavy industries. Skilled at elevating both in-office and remote teams, this leader provides insightful analysis beyond the numbers and supports a fast-paced, PE-backed business scaling toward its next phase of growth.
• An Assistant Controller Ready to Lead in a PE-Backed Fiber / Telecom Platform: An up-and-coming controller or senior assistant controller with experience in rapidly scaling organizations who is eager to take ownership of the full accounting function. Adept at modernizing foundational processes—including close calendars, AP automation, GAAP remediation, and Capex reporting—while partnering closely with the CFO on lender reporting, cash visibility, and operational analytics. Brings a strong command of ISP/broadband or telecom-adjacent accounting and leverages ERP systems to configure reporting, strengthen the chart of accounts, and build scalable workflows. Thrives in a builder environment, combining strategic thinking with hands-on execution, and is motivated by the opportunity to shape the accounting foundation of a company doubling in size.
  
  

Differentiators: these will set you apart in the selection process

• Self-starter, Entrepreneurial Spirit, with a Builder Mindset in a Fast Growth Environment – The ideal candidate thrives in environments where processes need to be created, fixed, and modernized from the ground up. They bring a strong self-starter, entrepreneurial spirit with a continuous improvement mindset, eager to take ownership of outcomes and drive results even when information or structure is incomplete. This person is energized by solving problems, improving broken workflows, and establishing a scalable accounting foundation rather than operating in a polished, steady-state environment. They learn quickly, act proactively, and move the business forward without waiting for direction, embodying a hands-on, growth-oriented approach aligned with a fast-paced and evolving organization.
• GAAP Foundation Accounting Function Acumen – The optimal candidate brings CPA-level accounting mastery with strong command of core accounting fundamentals, including disciplined month-end close processes, thorough balance sheet reconciliations, and unwavering GAAP compliance. They must be able to identify and remediate non-GAAP practices—such as missing accruals or prepaids, incorrect revenue recognition, improper capitalization, or unamortized commissions—and establish a fully compliant accounting framework. Competency with key standards, including ASC 606, ASC 842, debt modifications or extinguishments, and deferred financing fee amortization, is essential to maintaining accuracy across financial reporting. While this role does not require a deep technical specialist, the controller must confidently flag technical issues, diagnose root causes, and drive the appropriate corrective actions.
• Capex, CIP, and Telecom-Adjacent Accounting Experience - The desired candidate brings strong experience in capital-intensive, infrastructure-heavy environments where accurate Capex and CIP accounting is critical. They must be adept at tracking and reporting CIP, managing the full project life cycle from construction through in-service and depreciation, and allocating spend between key drivers such as new passings and new subscribers. Experience within telecom, fiber, wireline, cable, or closely related construction-based industries is strongly preferred, as it ensures familiarity with asset-heavy operations and the financial nuances that accompany them. This background enables the controller to provide accurate reporting, meaningful insight, and strong financial stewardship across large-scale infrastructure investments.
• Financial Reporting, Data Integrity, & ERP Optimization – The strongest candidates will demonstrate the ability to produce accurate, insight-rich financial reporting built on uncompromising data integrity and disciplined system controls. They consistently deliver clear, timely financial statements supported by high-quality close packages, variance analysis, trend identification, and meaningful commentary that links financial outcomes to operational performance. These individuals bring strong ownership of mid-market ERP systems—NetSuite preferred—with hands-on experience configuring the GL, maintaining the chart of accounts, optimizing modules, and maximizing out-of-the-box reporting tools to enhance accuracy and efficiency. While they are not expected to lead a new ERP implementation, they must be able to optimize existing functionality, streamline workflows, and ensure the system fully supports a scalable, best-in-class accounting environment. Ultimately, they set themselves apart by transforming clean, reliable financial data into strategic intelligence, proactively flagging risks and anomalies, and elevating decision-making across leadership, lenders, and board stakeholders.
• Strategic Thinking & Ability to Go Beyond the Numbers - The model candidate demonstrates sharp analytical thinking and consistently goes beyond simply delivering numbers. They must interpret results, identify trends, risks, and operational drivers, and translate data into clear insights and “what this means” narratives for leadership. This includes spotting issues early, seeing around corners, and proactively surfacing opportunities or concerns that impact financial and operational performance. Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work cross-functionally—upward to executive leadership and across departments, vendors, and operational teams—are essential to adding meaningful strategic value.
• People Leadership & Ability to Elevate a Remote Team - The ideal candidate is a strong, hands-on people leader who excels at mentoring, developing, and elevating talent—including individuals who may be inexperienced or transitioning from inconsistent leadership. They bring the confidence and maturity to hold others accountable, address performance gaps, and engage in difficult conversations while maintaining a supportive, growth-oriented team environment. With proven success managing remote or distributed teams, this leader builds trust, fosters alignment, and instills structure, clarity, and high standards across all accounting functions. They cultivate a culture rooted in accountability, customer focus, and continuous improvement, ensuring team members understand and uphold policies, procedures, and high-quality work. Ultimately, this leader inspires others through a shared vision of success and elevates overall team performance in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
  
  

What You Will Be Accountable For Accomplishing

• Lead & Rebuild the Accounting Function
• Stand up a disciplined, GAAP-compliant month-end close process, moving the organization from a modified cash basis to full accrual accounting.
• Establish a close calendar and reduce the close timeline from the current 10–15 business days to a long-term target of ~5 business days.
• Build, refine, and enforce best-practice processes across reconciliations, accruals, prepaids, revenue recognition, capitalization rules, and other core accounting activities.
• Identify and remediate all non-GAAP policies—e.g., incorrect revenue recognition, missing accruals, lack of prepaids, improper capitalization, and unamortized commissions.
• Optimize Accounting Operations (AP/AR/GL)
• Assess and modernize all accounting operations workflows, including AP, invoice processing, cash application, and vendor management.
• Transition the business away from manual workflows (e.g., hand-signed checks, manual deposits) to automated, scalable processes such as lockbox implementation, electronic approvals, and improved internal controls.
• Ensure accurate, timely processing of invoices, payments, and accounting entries, creating a strong foundation for operational excellence.
• Capex / CIP Accounting Ownership
• Lead CIP tracking and reporting across the full project life cycle—construction --> in-service --> depreciation.
• Maintain accurate cost accumulation at the project level and translate results into high-level reporting for executives and investors (e.g., allocation between new passings and new subscribers).
• Partner closely with the Director of Cost Accounting to ensure accurate Capex accounting and alignment with grant or regulatory requirements.
• ERP Ownership (NetSuite Preferred)
• Serve as the functional owner of the ERP environment (NetSuite strongly preferred), including GL configuration, chart-of-accounts structure, module setup, and maximizing out-of-the-box reporting tools.
• Improve system utilization to support a faster close, stronger internal controls, and scalable reporting without requiring IT or external consultants for basic enhancements.
• Financial Reporting, Analysis & Compliance
• Produce accurate monthly financial statements, accounting close packages, and variance analysis with clear narratives on trends, risks, anomalies, and operational insights.
• Support board reporting and investor-level financial discussions by providing high-quality analysis that goes beyond simply delivering numbers.
• Lead lender reporting, covenant calculations, cash-flow visibility, and compliance reporting in partnership with the CFO.
• Proactively flag liquidity considerations, covenant risks, or borrowing capacity issues.
• People Leadership & Team Elevation
• Mentor, develop, and elevate a team that includes general ledger accountants, AP staff, and a cost accounting function.
• Provide structure, coaching, and accountability to a team that has historically lacked process leadership.
• Build trust and strong working relationships with remote team members; ensure performance expectations, policies, and procedures are uniformly adopted.
• Cross-Functional Partnership & Continuous Improvement
• Build relationships with functional leaders across operations, construction, engineering, and finance to ensure alignment on spending, trends, and cost accountability.
• Establish foundational reporting that enables better operational forecasting, vendor spend analysis, and bottoms-up budgeting support.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that streamline workflows, eliminate inefficiencies, strengthen data integrity, and improve decision-making across the organization.
  

What Qualifications You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• CPA strongly preferred; candidates without a CPA must demonstrate CPA-level technical GAAP accounting competency through public accounting experience or complex industry work.
• Strong foundation in GAAP with the ability to identify and correct non-GAAP practices.
• Experience with ASC 606, ASC 842, capitalization standards, debt modification/extinguishment, and deferred financing fee amortization.
• Prior experience transitioning a business from modified cash to accrual accounting is strongly preferred.
• NetSuite experience preferred; mid-market ERP ownership required.
• Demonstrated ability to configure GL, COA, and modules, and to maximize native reporting capabilities.
• Telecom, fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), broadband, wireline, cable, or telecom-adjacent construction experience is required or strongly preferred. Adjacent consideration may include engineering or utility infrastructure firms with heavy Capex and project-based accounting.
• Experience in harvest-mode environments (low Capex, steady-state subscriber maintenance) is less relevant.
• Hands-on leadership in month-end close, reconciliations, AP/AR operations, and accounting policy development.
• Experience building or significantly improving accounting processes in fast-growing environments.
• Strong Capex/CIP accounting experience, including project-level cost tracking and full life-cycle accounting.
• Proven ability to coach, develop, and elevate accounting staff, including remote employees.
• Must be comfortable holding team members accountable and managing difficult conversations.
• Strong communication skills, capable of explaining financial results in context of operations, risk, and business impact.
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, PE-backed environment—even without frequent direct PE interaction.
• Ideally located in the Midwest (IN/IL/MI preferred) and/or the ability to travel to Indianapolis on a monthly basis.
• Willingness to travel approximately once per month for leadership, team development, and onsite collaboration.
• Prior experience in organizations undergoing rapid growth or major process transformation is highly preferred.
  
  

About Our Client

This organization is a locally operated fiber-optic internet provider focused on expanding high-speed connectivity in underserved rural communities. The team is committed to building and maintaining reliable fiber infrastructure in regions that traditionally lack access to dependable broadband service. Its mission is to deliver affordable, high-quality internet solutions supported by exceptional customer care. The company also prioritizes community engagement, educating residents on the value of high-speed connectivity and reinvesting in local areas to support long-term, modern economic growth.