Milwaukee, WI – Controller

Controller

Financial Stabilization & Audit Readiness

Location:

Milwaukee, WI

Schedule:

Full-Time, Interim/Temporary

Work Arrangement:
Onsite

Start:
Immediate

We are seeking an experienced Interim Comptroller to provide hands-on accounting leadership for a public-sector organization in Milwaukee during a period of financial stabilization and audit preparation.

Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will take ownership of the general ledger, address outstanding reconciliations and accounting issues, strengthen month-end close processes, and organize financial records and supporting documentation for audit readiness.

This is a hands-on role for an experienced accounting leader who can quickly assess incomplete or inconsistent financial records, resolve issues, and establish reliable processes for the organization.

• Lead financial stabilization and cleanup of the general ledger and material balance sheet accounts.
• Perform and review complex reconciliations and prepare supported correcting entries.
• Investigate aged, unsupported, unusual, or out-of-balance items and determine appropriate resolution.
• Lead audit preparation and coordinate accounting requests from external auditors.
• Prepare and review audit schedules, work papers, account analyses, and financial statement support.
• Establish and maintain disciplined monthly and year-end close processes.
• Produce reliable financial reports, budget-to-actual results, and variance analyses.
• Identify accounting, reporting, and internal-control weaknesses and implement practical improvements.
• Support accounting for federal grants, restricted funds, and intercompany/interfund activity.
• Direct and review accounting staff while strengthening reconciliation, documentation, and close procedures.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and substantial experience.
• 8+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• 3+ years as a Controller, Comptroller, Assistant Controller, Audit Manager, or comparable senior accounting leader.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience leading a significant financial cleanup, audit recovery, delayed-close remediation, balance sheet reconciliation initiative, or similar stabilization effort.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, governmental accounting, and GASB standards.
• Experience preparing for financial statement and compliance audits and responding to auditor requests.
• Experience with federal grants or restricted funding and knowledge of Single Audit requirements and 2 CFR Part 200.
• Advanced Excel/spreadsheet and financial data-analysis skills.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.

• CPA, CGFM, or comparable advanced accounting credential.
• Public housing authority, HUD-funded housing, local government, or federally funded agency experience.
• Knowledge of HUD financial reporting requirements, including FDS and FASS-PH.
• Experience with multi-entity or intercompany accounting, affordable housing, or real estate development.
• Background in public accounting, governmental audit, forensic accounting, turnaround engagements, or interim controller assignments.

Candidates must have personally led and performed a substantial balance-sheet cleanup and audit-readiness effort.Experience limited to high-level review, consulting recommendations, or staff oversight without direct accounting execution will not meet the requirements of this assignment.

Compensation will be between $65-75/hr, commensurate with experience.