Controller, Management, Financial Compliance

Position Summary

The Controller is the financial backbone of ASPIRE Salon Studios, responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial reporting, accounting operations, and compliance functions across the portfolio. This role serves as the CEO’s primary financial partner — translating the numbers behind a fast-growing, multi-site business into clear, actionable intelligence that drives confident decision‑making at every level of the organization.

As ASPIRE scales aggressively across Southern California and beyond, the Controller plays a critical role in building the financial infrastructure to support that growth — including the implementation of a new ERP system, the management of third‑party bookkeeping and HR service partners, and the development of financial controls and reporting frameworks that reflect the sophistication of a premium, expanding brand. The Controller also provides direct oversight of the Operations Manager, ensuring that administrative and operational financial workflows are tightly aligned.

• Reports To: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Direct Reports: Operations Manager
• Managed Partners: Third-Party Bookkeeping Service, Third-Party HR Service

• Own the full monthly close process, ensuring all accounts are reconciled, entries are posted, and financial statements are produced accurately and on schedule.
• Prepare and deliver timely, clear financial reports to the CEO, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and variance analyses.
• Maintain separate operating, financial, and tax books in accordance with applicable accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and manage depreciation schedules across all fixed assets, including leasehold improvements, FF&E, and equipment at each location.
• Ensure financial records across all operating entities and locations are maintained with consistency, accuracy, and full auditability.

• Develop and maintain rolling cash flow forecasts that provide the CEO and leadership team with clear visibility into near‑term and long‑range liquidity.
• Monitor daily cash positions and proactively flag variances, shortfalls, or opportunities to optimize cash deployment.
• Manage banking relationships and oversee cash management processes, including sweep accounts, reserves, and inter‑company transfers where applicable.
• Support capital planning efforts by modeling cash requirements for new site build‑outs, equipment purchases, and working capital needs.

• Oversee the AP/AR cycle in coordination with the third‑party bookkeeping service, ensuring invoices are processed accurately and on time, and that tenant collections are managed effectively.
• Partner with the Operations Manager on tenant billing, delinquency tracking, and collections workflows within Buildium and the forthcoming ERP platform.
• Establish and enforce AP approval workflows and payment authorization controls to protect the organization from unauthorized disbursements.
• Monitor aging reports for both payables and receivables, escalating and resolving exceptions promptly.

• Lead the annual budgeting process across all locations and departments, working with the CEO and President to align financial plans with strategic priorities.
• Prepare location‑level and portfolio‑level budget vs. actual analyses, identifying trends and recommending corrective actions where needed.
• Support new site financial modeling, including projected build costs, ramp‑up timelines, break‑even analyses, and return on investment projections.
• Collaborate with the Leasing Director to integrate occupancy and revenue forecasts into the broader financial plan.

• Coordinate with external tax advisors to ensure timely and accurate preparation of all federal, state, and local tax filings across all operating entities.
• Maintain the company’s compliance posture across all financial regulatory requirements, including sales tax, payroll tax, and business licensing obligations.
• Develop, implement, and enforce internal financial…