Controller/Senior Accountant| Seattle, WA
Do you thrive in complex, multi‑entity environments? Does tightening A/R and building dashboards leaders actually use make you unreasonably happy? If your super‑power is turning chaos into clean, auditable numbers, read on.
Our client. is seeking a self‑assured, systems‑savvy Controller/Senior Accountant, based on the East Side of Seattle, to bring order, accuracy, and insight across several operating and real‑estate entities. This role goes beyond debits and credits: you’ll own the close, enforce cash discipline, stand up simple executive reporting, and give leadership a clear, real‑time view of job profitability so the organization can scale with confidence. You’ll coordinate across design/build operations, real‑estate SPVs, and a services business, managing bank and tax calendars, vendor/sub compliance, and intercompany allocations with calm precision. There are 6 different business entities under the holding company. They are in growth mode, planning to add more to their portfolio. You will report to the CEO. Ideally, you will grow with the company, moving into the CFO role.
You won’t wait for tasks, you’ll orchestrate them. You’ll anticipate risks, chase down missing receipts, and make proactive calls on when to escalate vs. execute. You are a fantastic communicator as much as an accountant: organized, discreet, and relentless about follow‑through. Systems include Zoho Books/Analytics, payroll/banking portals, and time/entity allocation trackers.
Fast Forward a Year… Here’s What You’ve Accomplished
The finance engine is humming. Every Friday, your crisp, ontime report lands without a nudge. This includes cash, Days Sales Outstanding (DSO,) AP, close status, and jobbyjob profitability, brought to life in Zoho dashboards leaders actually open. AR is a machine: we collect before we cut checks, writeoffs are rare, and the audit trail is squeakyclean. Bank and tax deadlines are nonevents; quarterly lender packets are plugandplay. New entities spin up cleanly; intercompany and fractional allocations reconcile without drama; the books close at T+7 business days, every month. You’re embedded with operations; design, build, and vendors count on you. You surface issues early with options and a clear point of view. Bottom line: leadership isn’t worrying about the numbers; they finally see, in real time, where the business stands and how to grow margin on every job.
How will you get there:
Day 1–30: Build the Foundation
Map all entities (banking, payroll, tax calendars, vendors/clients, insurance, approvals).
Secure access; validate Zoho integrations and data hygiene across entities.
Publish a one‑year Finance Calendar (bank, tax, close, quarterly lender requirements).
Launch Weekly Report v1 (Cash, AR aging, AP due, Close status, Open issues).
Document “paid‑then‑pay” AR→AP control; finalize close checklist; surface Top‑5 risks.
Day 31–60: Strengthen Execution
Reduce AR slippage: implement dunning cadence, milestone billing checks, card‑on‑file where appropriate.
- Lock the close routine (owners, due dates, evidence folders); progress T+10 → T+7.
Stand up Job Profitability v1 (job P&L + committed costs + forecast‑to‑complete).
Pilot fractional allocation & bill‑backs via holding company; month‑end JEs SOP.
Standardize vendor/sub compliance pack (COI, W‑9, lien releases where applicable).
Day 61–90: Lead with Leverage
Operate with near‑full autonomy across close, AR/AP, vendor compliance, and reporting.
Deliver the quarterly bank packet template (P&L/BS/CF, covenant checks, narrative).
Maintain quarterly/annual tax calendars; coordinate with external CPA/legal.
Launch weekly margin cadence for active jobs; produce the first monthly roll‑up.
Produce a quarterly status of recurring responsibilities and what’s been delegated/automated.
Day 91–180: Systematize, Scale & De‑Risk
Convert the Weekly Report into an executive dashboard (cash runway, AR/DSO, AP, entity roll‑ups, margin tree) in Zoho Analytics.
Publish the New Entity Playbook (EIN, banking, books, calendars, intercompany setup).
Operationalize consolidations (quarterly actuals; monthly summary) with documented workflows.
Audit controls; remediate repeat exceptions to zero; tighten evidence foldering and naming conventions.
Year‑end review: what moved off leadership’s plate, what’s systematized, and what’s next.
What You Will Need to Succeed in This Role
Accounting/Finance foundation: Bachelor’s in Accounting or Finance; 3+ years in a tax/accounting firm or in‑house accounting.
Relentless proactivity: you anticipate needs, chase down gaps, and close loops without prompting.
Excellent judgment & discretion: you manage confidential, multi‑entity information with maturity.
Organizational command: you structure close checklists, AR follow‑ups, vendor packs, and intercompany entries so anyone can audit your work.
Communication & influence: you keep leaders informed on time, every time, and can hold vendors and internal partners accountable.
Operational versatility: comfortable with job‑costing, vendor/sub documentation, bank packages, and lender interactions.
Tech fluency: proficient with accounting systems; able to ramp Zoho Books/Analytics quickly; comfort experimenting with automation where it helps.
Confident & Humble: you own up to mistakes, learn and move on
Bonus Points
Contractor/real‑estate/development exposure; Big Four tax/family‑office experience.
Building practical dashboards leaders actually use; improving DSO with measurable impact.
Our client is an equal employment opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.