Sr. Controller

About Howard Financial

Howard Financial is a full-service back-office solution for companies and entities with bookkeeping, payroll, and bespoke reporting needs that require accuracy, timeliness, and institutional-quality reporting without the burden of full-time staff.

We are an experienced team of bookkeepers and administrators with multiple decades of combined experience across industries allowing companies to focus on their core business while we handle the rest.

Founded in 2023, our team of 60 professionals supports ~40 clients across a diverse range of industries. We recently reached $5M of contracted ARR and are growing rapidly (over 150% MRR growth YTD).

Position Summary

The Senior Controller will lead financial operations for multiple hospitality clients and entities simultaneously, while managing and developing an internal accounting team. This role blends hands-on technical accounting expertise with client-facing leadership, strategic advisory, and people management. Direct, hands-on hospitality industry experience and multi-entity accounting oversight are mandatory. The ideal candidate understands the pace and complexity of hospitality operations and can translate financial data into actionable insights for diverse ownership groups.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Client Management

• Serve as the primary financial lead for assigned hospitality clients (hotels, restaurants, multi-unit groups, and related entities)
• Act as a trusted advisor to owners, GMs, and executive leadership, providing clear financial insights and recommendations
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes across client portfolios
• Review and approve financial statements, management reports, and KPI dashboards
• Ensure GAAP compliance, internal controls, and consistency across client engagements
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and long-term financial strategy

Hospitality-Specific Oversight

• Analyze labor, food & beverage costs, occupancy, ADR, RevPAR, and other hospitality KPIs
• Partner with operations teams to identify margin improvement opportunities
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition across multiple revenue streams (rooms, F&B, events, management fees, etc.)
• Support new property openings, system implementations, and transitions

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting managers, senior accountants, and staff accountants
• Review team output for accuracy, timeliness, and quality
• Establish clear workflows, deadlines, and performance expectations
• Provide ongoing coaching, training, and professional development
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and performance management

Process Improvement & Systems

• Drive standardization and efficiency across accounting processes
• Identify and implement best practices, automation, and system enhancements
• Oversee accounting systems and integrations (e.g., POS, PMS, payroll, AP platforms)
• Collaborate with leadership on scaling operations as the client base grows

Compliance & Risk Management

• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners
• Ensure timely completion of audits, tax filings, and regulatory requirements
• Maintain strong internal controls and risk management practices

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA preferred)
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience with mandatory hospitality industry experience (hotels, restaurants, multi-unit hospitality groups)
• Proven experience leading multi-entity, multi-client accounting environments (outsourced accounting, management companies, or complex ownership structures)
• Demonstrated success managing teams and reviewing work across multiple entities simultaneously
• Strong understanding of GAAP and hospitality-specific accounting practices
• Experience with hospitality systems (e.g., PMS, POS, inventory, payroll)
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with accounting and financial reporting software

Skills & Attributes

• Strong client-facing communication and relationship management skills
• Ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Hands-on leader who can balance strategy with execution
• Detail-oriented, proactive, and solutions-driven

What Success Looks Like

• Clients view you as a trusted financial partner
• Financial reporting is accurate, timely, and insightful
• The accounting team is engaged, supported, and continuously improving
• Processes are efficient, scalable, and well-documented
• Howard JD’s reputation for excellence in hospitality finance continues to grow