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] .