Scorecard: Controller / Principal Accounting Officer (Public Funds)

Own: financial reporting + close process; coordinate outsourced providers

Reports to: COO (with dotted line to outsourced PFO)

Location: US (hybrid/remote)

Level: Director / Controller (Tier 1)

Start: ASAP (<= 8 weeks)

Mission

• Make reporting boring: accurate, on-time financials and filings, with tight controls across outsourced fund accounting, audit, and administrator relationships.

12-month outcomes (what “great” looks like)

• Monthly/quarterly close cadence established with clear owners, checklists, and variance explanations.

• All filings delivered on time (fund and/or public company reporting, as applicable) with clean audit reviews.

• SOX/disclosure controls (or equivalent) documented; minimal late adjustments.

• Provider management: service-level expectations, escalation paths, and cost discipline.

• Real-time management reporting: AUM, NAV drivers, expenses, and performance attribution support.

Key responsibilities

• Own GL close and GAAP financial statements; coordinate fund admin, custodian, and auditors.

• Partner with PFO/CCO on regulatory reporting requirements and internal controls.

• Build dashboards and variance narratives for leadership and board packets.

• Lead cash + expense controls; oversee vendor invoices and approvals.

Must-have experience

• 7–12+ years in fund accounting / controller roles for registered funds or listed investment vehicles.

• Deep knowledge of investment accounting (fair value, expense accruals, NAV mechanics).

• Hands-on operator who can run close processes and reconcile across providers.

• Strong communication with auditors and board-level stakeholders.

Competencies

• Extreme attention to detail; process discipline.

• Vendor management and ability to push for quality without drama.

• Comfort working cross-functionally with investments, legal/compliance, and ops.

Interview loop + work sample

• Case: walk through a mock month-end close with 3 “broken” reconciliations; how do you diagnose and prevent?

• Work sample: build a one-page variance narrative from a sample P&L / NAV bridge.

• References: admin/fund accountant + audit partner + prior exec.

Red flags

• Only “reviewer” mindset; cannot own close execution.

• Blames providers without building controls/process.

• Weak audit hygiene