Controller

Cobalt Service Partners (CSP) is building the nation's leading commercial access and security integration platform. Backed by Alpine Investors, a leading middle-market private equity firm, we grow by acquiring businesses that install, maintain, and repair commercial gates, doors, loading docks, and integrated security systems.

Since launching in late 2023, Cobalt has successfully acquired 22 partner companies and established itself as one of the leading platforms in a highly attractive and fragmented industry. We have done this by partnering with founder-led companies that have spent decades earning trust in their local markets. Our mission is to honor those legacies, enhance operations through disciplined execution, and drive growth through high-frequency M&A. 

The Role

In-Person  ·  Boston, MA Metro

As Controller, you'll own accounting for an acquired operating company(s), covering the monthly close, reporting, controls, payroll oversight, and the annual audit. Our businesses are project-based, so revenue recognition, job costing, and cash management are at the center of the work.

This is a hands-on role for someone who likes the details and wants real ownership. You will be building a finance function and leading the team through the changes that come with joining the Cobalt platform, while working closely with our experienced regional finance team.

What You'll Own

• Monthly close. Run a fast, accurate close and flash report. Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Project accounting. Own revenue recognition under ASC 606, job costing, and WIP (over/under billings) across active projects. Establish and manage cycle counts and inventory accounting.
• Financial reporting. Own the accuracy of the income statement and balance sheet, including deferred revenue, accruals, prepaids, and fixed assets. Prepare the monthly financial package and variance analysis, and explain notable swings to leadership.
• Integration and consolidation. Lead the finance integration of acquired businesses. Align charts of accounts, accounting policies, and processes, and consolidate reporting across entities.
• Intercompany accounting. Record, reconcile, and settle intercompany activity with the Cobalt platform finance team and sister companies.
• Cash forecasting. Build and maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast.
• Process and systems. Create, document, and maintain standard procedures for close, AP/AR, payroll, and reporting. Replace manual or risky workflows with standardized, automated ones, and support the regional team on ERP implementations and integrations.
• Audit, tax, and compliance. Lead support for the annual audit, including PBC schedules and auditor questions. Keep tax and regulatory filings current, working with outside tax advisors.
• Controls, budgets, and KPIs. Maintain and strengthen internal controls, prepare the annual budget, and track the KPIs that drive the business.
• Team and transactional accounting. Lead and develop accounting staff where applicable. Partner with FP&A, AP, AR, tax, and operations to ensure payroll, AR, and AP accurate and on time.  
• Change management. Guide the team through new systems, policies, and reporting requirements. Explain what’s changing and why, train staff, and make sure new processes stick.

What We're Looking For

• 7+ years of accounting experience, with a technical foundation from public accounting, audit/assurance, or complex operational accounting.
• Strong command of GAAP, including project revenue recognition (ASC 606), percentage-of-completion, and work-in-process accounting.
• Experience integrating acquired businesses, including consolidating systems, processes, or reporting across entities
• Comfort working across multiple ERP, accounting, and payroll platforms (such as ADP and mid-market ERPs) in a multi-entity or growing environment and picking up new ones quickly.
• Strong Excel and modeling skills (lookups, pivot tables, and comparable techniques).
• Self-managing, well-organized, and a genuine self-starter who brings structure to ambiguity.
• Clear written and verbal communication.

Preferred:

Experience at a construction or project-based company (ideally 100-200 employees) with complex inventory considerations; exposure to M&A accounting (ASC 805), such as opening balance sheets, purchase price allocation, or working capital true-ups; experience integrating acquired businesses; prior experience supervising others; CPA.

Why Cobalt

• A high-growth, PE-backed platform where finance is close to the business and your work drives real operating decisions.
• The chance to build and strengthen finance processes as we scale across a growing set of companies.
• Competitive base salary and performance-based bonus, benchmarked to your market and the scope of the seat.
• Full health benefits, 401(k) with match, paid time off, paid holidays, life and disability coverage, and professional development support.
•  

Cobalt Service Partners and its operating companies are equal opportunity employers. Employment is at-will.