Controller

Description Job Title : Controller Department: PuzzleHQ Location: Hybrid – Tampa, St. Petersburg, Sarasota FLSA Status: Exempt Revised: 08/20/2026 Job Summary The Controller is a senior, hands-on accounting leader responsible for the integrity of the company's financial records, the monthly and annual close process, internal controls, and day-to-day accounting operations. The Controller is a highly experienced accounting professional who has operated in a high-transaction-volume, multi-entity, and/or multi-state environment, ideally within professional services, staffing, PEO, or HR services, and who is comfortable both directing a team and personally rolling up their sleeves. The Controller will manage a team of accounting professionals and play a central role in financial reporting, compliance, cash management, and process improvement as the company continues to grow. This is a hybrid position requiring the need to travel to our Tampa, Florida office as needed. Job Duties and Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Close Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accurate and timely GAAP-compliant financial statements. Prepare and review consolidated financial statements across multiple entities and/or locations, as applicable. Deliver management reporting packages, KPI dashboards, and variance analysis to the executive team and ownership/board as required. Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, and month-end close checklist; drive continuous reduction in close-cycle time. Accounting Operations & Internal Controls Directly manage accounts payable, accounts receivable/billing, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and general accounting functions. Design, document, and enforce internal controls (SOX-lite or formal SOX, as applicable) to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting. Oversee client billing and revenue recognition specific to a professional services / HR services model, including gross vs. net billing treatment where relevant. Ensure accurate accounting for payroll tax liabilities, workers' compensation, benefits administration, and other HR-services-specific cost pools. Compliance, Audit & Tax Serve as primary point of contact for external auditors, tax preparers, and banking relationships; manage the annual audit and/or review process. Ensure compliance with multi-state payroll tax, sales/use tax, and other regulatory filing requirements relevant to multi-state professional services. Maintain compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations, including coordination on 401(k)/benefit plan audits where applicable. Planning, Cash & Treasury Partner with the executive team on annual budgeting, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial planning. Manage daily cash positioning, banking relationships, and line-of-credit compliance and reporting. Monitor working capital, including accounts receivable aging/collections and accounts payable, to support healthy cash flow. Leadership & Business Partnership Act as a trusted financial advisor to the executive leadership, and operational leaders across the business. Lead or support ERP and finance systems improvements, automation, and process standardization as the company scales. Support due diligence, M&A integration, or new-entity onboarding activity as the company grows (as applicable). Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team; set clear goals and provide ongoing coaching and performance management. Required Skills Deep working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and demonstrated ownership of a full-cycle, monthly/annual close process. Proven experience managing and developing an accounting team (staff accountants, AP/AR). Hands-on experience with a modern ERP/accounting system (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Microsoft Dynamics, or similar) and advanced Excel skills. Experience with payroll tax compliance across multiple states and/or co-employment/PEO accounting models. Strong communication skills and demonstrated ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial executives and ownership. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field. 10+ (Ten) years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 (five) years in a Controller or senior accounting leadership role preferred. Certified Public Accountant a plus. Experience in professional services, staffing, PEO (Professional Employer Organization), or HR outsourcing/services industries preferred. Physical Requirements Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Must be able to move up to 15 pounds at times. Must be able to participate in video conferences/meetings. We are an equal opportunity employer and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this role.