Assistant Controller, Client Onboarding

Overview

This role supports a Client Onboarding team within an accounting and finance services organization. You will help new clients get started with clean, well-built books, systems, and processes during their first 30–60 days.

You will work hands-on with CEOs and members of client leadership teams at dynamic software and services companies, supporting setup, historical cleanup, and month-end close readiness.

Responsibilities

• Kick off new client engagements by gathering system access, documentation, and background on the client’s business and accounting history.
• Assess each client’s current accounting systems, chart of accounts, technology stack, and historical books to identify cleanup needs, gaps, and risks.
• Set up new clients in the organization’s systems and tools, including:
  • Chart of accounts design or restructuring
  • Bank and credit card feeds
  • Integrations with payroll, billing, and expense platforms
• Perform historical cleanup, including:
  • Account reconciliations
  • Catch-up bookkeeping
  • Reclassifications
  • Adjusting entries to ensure balances are accurate and supportable
• Run clients’ first month-end closes, establishing close checklists, reconciliation schedules, and reporting packages, and support initial budget and cash flow setup where in scope.
• Document and implement accounting processes and workflows (e.g., AP, AR, payroll, revenue, and expense management), recommending improvements when needed.
• Coordinate with tax advisors and prior accountants to obtain records, resolve open items, and ensure timely and accurate deliverables.
• Support and guide onboarding engagement work performed by internal team members.
• Research technical accounting questions that arise during cleanup and setup and provide guidance internally and to clients.
• Prepare complete handoff documentation and support a smooth transition to the ongoing accounting team.

Requirements

• Strong organization and attention to detail and accuracy.
• Self-starter who can turn ideas into action.
• Enjoy working with numbers and helping people.
• Experience diagnosing and cleaning up messy books; pride in leaving work better than it was found.
• Comfortable working directly with clients, asking good questions, and setting clear expectations during periods of change.
• Ability to manage several onboarding engagements at different stages, keeping each on track against tight timelines.
• Strong ability to shift between high-level strategic thinking and tactical execution.
• 4+ years in public accounting, corporate accounting or finance, or similar experience, including month-end close, reconciliations, and cleanup or catch-up accounting.
• Excellent quantitative skills, strong experience with spreadsheet software, and familiarity with Quickbooks; experience implementing or migrating accounting systems and integrated tools is a plus.
• Ability to embrace ambiguity, uncertainty, and changing business landscapes.
• CPA strongly preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA
• Experience implementing or migrating accounting systems and integrated tools

Compensation & Benefits

Not specified in the provided description.

Location

• Remote based in the US.
• The organization is headquartered and based in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Work Authorization

Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship now or in the future.