Controller

The Brand Guild is an award-winning, mid-sized integrated communications agency with offices in Washington D.C. and NYC. and we are looking for an energetic, organized and proactive individual to join our team as a Part-time Controller in our DC office . We're looking for an experienced, hands-on Part-Time Controller to own our financial reporting, controls, and cash management, and to directly oversee our part-time bookkeeper.

Note: This is a part-time, fractional engagement requiring 60 hours of support a month (weekly hour requirement may vary based on time of month). This is a hybrid position with some in office days required (~2-3 times/month)

You Are Someone Who:

Owns the numbers. You are comfortable being the final reviewer on the books, not just an input provider

Enjoys building and tightening process, especially around close, controls, and reporting

Can operate independently with minimal oversight while keeping leadership informed

Is comfortable managing a bookkeeper's day-to-day work and holding that work to a high standard

Is comfortable upskilling and supporting bookkeeper to their full potential

Communicates clearly with finance and non-finance stakeholders including department heads, the SVP of Operations, fraction CFO, and Co-CEOs.

Is discreet and trustworthy with sensitive financial and payroll information

You Will:

Financial Reporting & Close

Own the monthly close process; review and approve journal entries prepared or entered by the bookkeeper

Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) for leadership

Maintain and review department-level P&Ls across TBG's eight service departments

Cash Management & Controls

Monitor weekly cash position and rolling cash flow forecasts

Review and approve AP disbursements and payroll funding prepared by the bookkeeper

Establish and maintain internal controls over billing, collections, and vendor payments

Review client billing accuracy and support collections escalations on overdue accounts

Oversight of retainer, project, and client reimbursable expenses invoicing

Bookkeeper Oversight

Manage and directly supervise the part-time bookkeeper's day-to-day transactional work (AP/AR entry, bank reconciliations, data entry)

Review reconciliations and transactional entries for accuracy before close

Set priorities and cadence for the bookkeeper's weekly workload

Compliance & Audit Readiness

Coordinate with The Brand Guild's external CPA/tax preparer on timely tax filings (sales tax, payroll tax)

Maintain audit-ready documentation and support any external audit or review

Help ensure compliance with multi-jurisdiction payroll and tax requirements as applicable

Systems & Process

Maintain and improve accounting system architecture (Quickbooks and Sage Expense Management) and ensure tools and technology supports scaling company needs.

Recommend process improvements to reduce close time and reporting errors

What You Bring:

7+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including prior Controller-level responsibility

Experience managing or reviewing the work of a bookkeeper or staff accountant

Strong working knowledge of QuickBooks (Online)

Experience with services-agency financials: retainer billing, project-based revenue, or professional-services revenue recognition

Demonstrated experience owning a monthly close process independently

CPA license or CPA-track background (a plus, not required)

Prior experience in a PR, marketing, advertising, or events agency

Why You’ll Love Working Here

People-first culture: A supportive, high-energy team that values creativity, collaboration, and balance

Professional development: Annual stipend, training programs, and mentorship opportunities

Hybrid flexibility that fosters connection and creativity

Exciting clients: Work with best-in-class brands in our F&B portfolio

The Brand Guild is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and equitable workplace. If you require accommodations during the hiring process, please contact [email protected] .