Controller

About FirstClose:

FirstClose is an innovative, dynamic and leading finance technology provider that designs, develops, and delivers best-in-class nationwide property & borrower data intelligence and settlement services to financial institutions in real estate and mortgage lending. Our innovative platform (a proprietary Sofware-as-a-Service application (SaaS)) has streamlined the loan process for over 250 lending institutions by directly integrating with existing loan origination systems to deliver instant property data, valuation, title, and settlement services, all in one place efficiently. Our mission is to empower lenders and their borrowers with cutting-edge solutions, enhance efficiency and drive success in the ever-evolving mortgage industry. We are continually growing and evolving. FirstClose operates on five core values: 1) Clients First - Focus on the market and needs of our clients. 2) Accountability - Be the change you seek, 3) Passion - Develop new ways to do things. 4) Respect - Build a culture of trust and transparency. 5) Engagement - Foster inclusion and collaboration.

Job Summary:

The Controller will plan and direct the accounting operations of the company, including financial reporting, internal controls, cash management, compliance, revenue accounting, quote-to-cash controls, and accounting systems. This role requires a hands-on finance leader with strong technical accounting skills and experience supporting complex revenue models, including consumption-based pricing, SaaS/subscription pricing, annual and monthly minimums, usage billing, deferred revenue, and ASC 606 revenue recognition. The Controller will help mature the accounting environment into a scalable finance function by identifying practical, high-impact improvements and sequencing change through a crawl-walk-run approach. Preferred systems experience includes Salesforce, Certinia, formerly FinancialForce, Avalara, and Qobra.

Key Skills Required:

Core skills for this role include technical accounting leadership, ASC 606 revenue recognition, complex billing and quote-to-cash controls, audit ownership, accounting systems fluency, sales tax and commission accounting, close management, process improvement, team leadership, and cross-functional communication.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Oversee the operations of the Accounting Department, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, collections, general ledger, and financial reporting.
• Oversee team training, development, and accounting process documentation; identify training needs related to accounting systems, reporting tools, and internal controls.

Responsibilities:

• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to ensure accurate financial reporting, data integrity, risk mitigation, and compliance with company policies and applicable accounting standards.
• Lead the month-end and year-end close processes, including general ledger activity, reconciliations, accruals, financial statements, management reporting, and GAAP compliance.
• Oversee revenue accounting for consumption-based pricing, SaaS/subscription arrangements, minimum commitments, customer prepayments, deferred revenue, variable consideration, and ASC 606 contract review documentation.
• Own quote-to-cash and billing controls across Salesforce and Certinia to ensure opportunity, contract, billing, invoice, revenue recognition, accounts receivable, and general ledger activity are complete, accurate, and reconciled.
• Manage accounting system workflows and integrations across Salesforce, Certinia, Avalara, and Qobra, including approvals, reporting, permissions, data quality, automation, process documentation, and coordination with system owners.
• Oversee cash forecasting, liquidity, working capital, banking activity, payroll accounting, benefits accounting, and related reconciliations.
• Oversee sales and use tax processes and commission accounting, including Avalara configuration review, invoice-tax reconciliation, tax advisor coordination, Qobra commission review, accruals, approvals, and reconciliations.
• Support financial analysis of recurring revenue, usage-based revenue, transaction revenue, customer profitability, gross margin, operating expenses, pricing economics, and other key business drivers.
• Own the annual audit process and serve as the primary accounting lead for external auditors, tax advisors, and other third parties, including audit planning, schedules, documentation, issue resolution, tax filings, and compliance requirements.
• Partner cross-functionally to prioritize practical process, reporting, systems, and control improvements using a crawl-walk-run approach that strengthens accounting operations without over-engineering or disrupting day-to-day execution.

Qualifications:

• Excellent management, supervisory, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong proficiency with ERP, accounting, reporting, billing, revenue recognition, commission, and tax software; experience with Salesforce, Certinia, Avalara, and Qobra is strongly preferred.
• Sales and use tax experience required; experience maintaining Avalara tax configuration, invoice-tax reconciliation, and tax compliance controls preferred.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Experience with complex billing and revenue models, including usage-based billing, SaaS/subscription revenue, minimum commitments, annual prepayments, variable consideration, customer prepayments, deferred revenue, and quote-to-cash accounting controls.
• Demonstrated ability to improve accounting processes, strengthen controls, automate workflows, and partner cross-functionally to sequence high-impact improvements without over-engineering.

Education & Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or business administration is preferred; CPA, CMA, or other relevant certification is a plus.

Ten years or more of progressive accounting or finance experience required, including prior controller, assistant controller, accounting manager, or equivalent leadership experience. Experience in a SaaS, fintech, transaction-based, usage-based billing, or other complex billing environment is strongly preferred.