Controller

Job Title :  Controller

Location :  Costa Mesa, California (Fully Onsite)

Employment Type :  Full-Time, Exempt

About the Role

A fast-growing, high-volume  professional services firm  in the Costa Mesa area is seeking a dynamic and experienced  Controller  to lead and elevate its accounting function. This is a fully on-site position that offers the opportunity to shape and optimize financial operations during a critical phase of growth.

The ideal candidate is a strong, hands-on leader with a deep understanding of  fiduciary trust accounting , a passion for process improvement, and extensive experience in managing accounting teams. This role reports directly to the CFO and will manage a department of up to  10 accounting professionals .

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage the accounting team (up to 10 staff), fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Evaluate team structure and talent to ensure the department scales effectively with company growth.

Provide guidance and training on accounting best practices, systems use, and internal controls. Financial Management & Reporting

Oversee day-to-day accounting operations including GL, AP, AR, payroll, fixed assets, and revenue recognition.

Ensure timely preparation of accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

Lead the month-end and year-end close process, ensuring deadlines are met.

Prepare and present internal financial reports and KPI dashboards to executive leadership. Trust & Fiduciary Accounting

Maintain compliance with all fiduciary trust accounting requirements, ensuring accurate tracking and reporting of client / trust funds.

Supervise trust account reconciliations and ensure separation of client and operating funds.

Implement best practices and ensure audit-readiness for trust-related financial operations. Process Improvement & Internal Controls

Evaluate current accounting policies, procedures, and systems; implement improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.

Develop and strengthen internal controls, approval workflows, and documentation standards.

Collaborate with the CFO to support financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management. Compliance & External Relationships

Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies.

Ensure compliance with relevant local, state, and federal tax laws and financial regulations.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree  in Accounting, Finance, or a related field ( Required )

CPA license  ( Required )

7–10+ years  of progressive accounting experience with  at least 5 years in a leadership or management role

Strong working knowledge of  fiduciary / trust accounting  in a professional services environment

Demonstrated ability to lead and scale accounting operations in a high-growth, high-volume setting

Proficiency with accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage) and advanced Microsoft Excel skills

Exceptional organizational, analytical, and leadership skills

Excellent written and verbal communication abilities; capable of working cross-functionally and influencing senior stakeholders

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive base salary (commensurate with experience)

Performance-based bonus potential

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Generous paid time off and holidays

Career development and advancement opportunities

Collaborative and supportive team culture

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco / Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco / Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan.

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and / or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal .

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries (“we,” “our,” or “Vaco by Highspring”) respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here .

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to :

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.