Controller - Technical Accounting Lead

Controller - Technical Accounting Lead

• This role is intended to replace the owner as the final escalation point for accounting.
• If you prefer to stay at a high level and avoid hands-on accounting work, this role will not be a fit.

We are seeking a high-level accounting leader who can own technical accounting decisions, elevate team performance, and build scalable processes across a growing client services environment.

This is not a traditional Controller role.

Our Approach to Accounting (Read This Before Applying)

We are a roll-up-your-sleeves team.

Even at the Controller level, this role is expected to:

• Step into messy or incomplete books and personally clean them up
• Perform hands-on accounting work when needed, including reconciliations and transaction-level review
• Build clear, repeatable processes and SOPs from that work
• Train and mentor team members to successfully take over those processes

We believe the best accounting leaders:

• Are not above the work
• Lead by example
• Build systems by doing—not just directing

This role is not for someone who only wants to review or delegate.

It is for someone who:
Fixes
Builds
Documents
Teaches
Then elevates others

You will serve as the technical authority for accounting, while also improving how our team executes—ensuring financials are accurate, timely, and consistently delivered across multiple clients.

Location: North Loop, Minneapolis, MN (Twin Cities Metro Area)

What You’ll Own Technical Accounting Leadership

• Fix, build, document, teach, then evaluate
• Serve as the final reviewer for complex accounting matters across multiple clients
• Resolve technical accounting issues (accruals, revenue recognition, multi-entity structures, cleanup work, etc.)
• Ensure financial statements are accurate, compliant, and decision-ready
• Act as the escalation point for accounting questions—removing the need for owner involvement

Client Onboarding & Cleanup

• Lead onboarding of new clients, including cleanup and restructuring of books
• Identify issues quickly and implement clean, scalable solutions
• Establish consistent accounting standards across clients

Process & Operational Excellence

• Build and refine month-end close processes, workflows, and checklists
• Improve team execution through clear timelines, accountability, and structure
• Implement systems that ensure consistency across multiple clients and teams
• Drive continuous improvement in how accounting is delivered

Team Leadership & Development

• Review work from bookkeepers, senior accountants, and controllers
• Provide coaching and feedback to improve accuracy, efficiency, and confidence
• Set clear expectations and hold the team accountable to deadlines and standards
• Lead weekly huddles and monthly reviews to keep work on track

What We’re Looking For

Required:

• 10 years of accounting experience, including Controller or senior-level roles
• Strong technical accounting knowledge (GAAP, accruals, financial reporting, cleanup work)
• Experience reviewing and correcting the work of other accountants
• Ability to solve complex accounting issues independently
• Experience working across multiple entities, clients, or business units
• Strong QuickBooks experience (Online preferred)

Strongly Preferred:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Accounting or related field
• Experience in a client service, outsourced, or multi-entity environment

Who You Are

• You are a technical accounting expert who is not afraid to get into the details
• You are comfortable stepping into bookkeeping and cleanup work when needed to understand and fix issues at the root
• You believe in building processes by doing the work first, then documenting and delegating
• You have a strong sense of ownership and urgency—you don’t wait for direction, you move work forward
• You know how to prioritize across multiple clients, deadlines, and competing priorities
• You bring a methodical approach to execution, creating clear workflows, timelines, and deliverables
• You take pride in developing others and can train bookkeepers and accountants to take over your work successfully
• You hold high standards for accuracy and accountability—both for yourself and your team
• You are not driven by title or hierarchy—you are driven by outcomes, quality, and team success

Why You’ll Love Working at Owl

• Hybrid flexibility – work from our North Loop office and onsite with local clients.
• Supportive, growth-oriented team culture.
• Career development opportunities in client strategy and leadership.
• Paid parking, free breakfast and snacks, onsite gym, 401(k) match, tiered PTO, and generous benefits with disability, life, medical, dental and more.
• Work/life balance

If you’re looking for a place where your expertise matters — where you can mentor others, advise clients, and shape the financial health of growing businesses — apply today!

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) 5% Match
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• On-site gym
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Have you worked in an outsourced, client-service, or fractional accounting environment before?
• Are you able to work in a hybrid role based in the Twin Cities metro area (North loop office and local client visits)? This is not remote work. Applicants need to live in the Twin Cities and spend time between our co-working space and client sites.
• How comfortable are you managing multiple clients or entities simultaneously? Which task management tools do you use to help you?
• Describe your experience managing or mentoring accounting or bookkeeping staff. How do you hold staff accountable to objectives?

Education:

• Master's (Preferred)

Experience:

• Accounting: 10 years (Required)
• Controller or Senior Accounting: 10 years (Required)
• QuickBooks: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $90,000 - $120,000