Financial Controller

Senior Fractional Controller | CPA Required | Hybrid – Burlington, VT Ascend Fractional Finance, LLC | Full-Time | $135,000 base + profit sharing

You'll thrive here if... You're energized by variety, comfortable switching contexts across industries, and you can parachute into a new environment, assess it quickly, and start adding value before you have all the answers. You're thorough and you build things right, but you don't need everything to be perfect before you move forward.

You're the person who looks at a complicated system and thinks, I can work with this. You want meaningful, challenging work across a range of clients and industries rather than the same set of problems at the same company year after year.

If you love cleaning up messes and building good systems for business owners who genuinely need your expertise, this could be a great fit.

About Ascend

Since 2015, Ascend Fractional Finance has been the go-to fractional finance partner for Vermont's most dynamic small businesses. Our team of seasoned CFOs, Controllers, and Accounting Managers serves over 80 local companies, giving them enterprise-level financial leadership at a fraction of the cost of a full-time hire.

We're a tight-knit, high-caliber team that takes the work seriously without taking ourselves too seriously. Our services come highly recommended by CPAs, attorneys, and business advisors throughout the region. Learn more at ascendvt.com.

The Role

As a Senior Fractional Controller, you'll carry a portfolio of two to five clients at a time, typically companies with $3M to $50M in annual revenue across industries including manufacturing, biotech, CPG, ecommerce, and technology. No two days look the same, and that's exactly the point.

You'll serve as a trusted accounting leader for each client: getting up to speed quickly, building or cleaning up their accounting function, and producing the financial clarity they need to grow. You are a consultant, not an employee, which means you manage your time carefully, hit the ground running, and begin adding value immediately.

You'll also work closely with Ascend's senior CFOs and Controllers, giving you mentorship, peer support, and exposure to complex engagements you simply wouldn't encounter in a single-company role.

What You'll Do

• Manage month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close for multiple clients simultaneously
• Prepare financial statements and management reports that drive real decisions
• Build, document, and improve accounting processes and internal controls
• Apply technical skills across diverse environments including manufacturing cost accounting and activity-based costing
• Train and coach client staff to strengthen their accounting capabilities
• Collaborate with external auditors and the Ascend team to ensure accuracy and efficiency
• Contribute to internal methodology and tool development as the firm continues to grow

What We're Looking For

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting
• Active CPA license
• 5 to 7+ years in a complex accounting environment, with demonstrated upward progression
• Direct experience as a Senior Accountant or Controller
• Strong GAAP knowledge and managerial accounting fundamentals
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to get up to speed quickly on various ERP platforms
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities across multiple clients or entities simultaneously

You'll stand out if you have:

• Public accounting background
• Manufacturing, cost accounting, or activity-based costing experience
• Experience in multiple industries or a multi-client environment
• A track record of training or managing others

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role. Roughly 75% of your work is remote from your home office; the remaining 25% involves on-site visits to client locations, most within 30 to 60 minutes of Burlington. Clients range from office environments to light manufacturing and warehouse settings.

Standard business hours apply. We work hard for our clients, but we don't believe in burnout.

Compensation & Benefits

• $135,000 base salary, commensurate with experience
• Annual profit-sharing tied to individual and team performance
• 15 days PTO + 7 paid holidays
• Health insurance benefit (details provided during interview process)
• Flexible hybrid schedule

How to Apply

Submit a brief note of interest and your resume for immediate consideration. We review applications promptly and will reach out within one week to candidates moving forward. Qualified applicants can expect a two-step conversation process.

Ascend Fractional Finance is an equal opportunity employer and highly values diversity. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $135,000.00 - $135,001.00 per year

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Paid time off

Experience:

• GAAP: 5 years (Preferred)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Burlington, VT 05402