Assistant Controller

What You'll Do

Looking to step into a high-impact leadership role at a growing professional services firm?As Assistant Controller, you’ll partner closely with the Controller and firm leadership to oversee firmwide accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls across a complex, multi-entity environment. This role blends hands-on technical accounting with strategic leadership—giving you visibility into the full financial picture while helping drive scalability, process improvement, and strong financial discipline as the firm continues to grow.

 

Financial Reporting & Close

• Support and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process
• Prepare and review internal and external financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of firm-wide and practice-level results
• Assist with consolidation of multiple legal entities and offices
• Analyze variances, trends, and key drivers of financial performance

Accounting Operations

• Oversee day-to-day accounting activities, including:
• General ledger
• Revenue recognition and WIP management
• Partner compensation accounting
• Payroll accounting and benefits accruals
• Fixed assets and depreciation
• Ensure consistent application of accounting policies across offices and practices
• Support billing, collections, and time & expense integration with financial reporting

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and enhance internal control frameworks and documentation
• Support audits, reviews, and regulatory examinations
• Ensure compliance with firm policies, GAAP, and applicable regulatory requirements
• Assist with risk assessments and remediation of control gaps

Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis

• Partner with the Controller and FP&A team on budgeting and forecasting processes
• Support practice leaders with financial insights and performance analysis
• Prepare schedules and analysis to support leadership decision-making

Systems & Process Improvement

• Support accounting system implementations, upgrades, and optimizations
• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and scalability
• Leverage technology to improve reporting, automation, and data integrity

Leadership & Collaboration

• Supervise, coach, and develop accounting staff
• Serve as a trusted business partner to firm leadership and practice leaders
• Collaborate cross-functionally with HR, IT, Tax, Audit, and Advisory Operations

Who You Are

Education & Certification

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (required)
• CPA license strongly preferred

Experience

• 8–12+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Experience in public accounting or professional services strongly preferred
• Prior experience managing or reviewing complex accounting operations
• Experience with multi-entity and/or multi-location organizations

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP
• Experience with professional services revenue recognition and WIP accounting
• Proficiency with Workday preferred
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with reporting and analytics tools preferred

Key Competencies

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to see the “big picture”
• High integrity and sound judgment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Strong communication skills with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Leadership mindset with a focus on coaching and development
• Continuous improvement and problem-solving orientation

Location

• Akron, Cleveland, or Youngstown, OH; Detroit or St. Clair Shores, MI; Pittsburgh or Philadelphia, PA; New York City or Buffalo, NY; Denver, CO; Milwaukee, WI; Chicago, IL
• Hybrid work environment  

Who We Are

#LifeatCohen 

Sure, we like numbers. (But we’ll never treat you like one.) 

 

At Cohen & Co our foundational principles offer insight into how we achieve an inclusive, growth-oriented culture that fuels the success of our firm, our clients and our people. In particular, we honor our foundational principle of “great people first” by: 

• Championing the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion by embraci