Controller, Management, Business Management

Overview

Location: Newport Beach, CA (HQ) | Hybrid | Supports 1–3 regional offices as we scale

Reports to: Founder & CEO / Creative Director

Key Partners: Regional Directors, Project Managers, Business Development, External CPA/Tax

Compensation Range: $120K/yr - $150K/yr based on qualifications

Role

Summary:

We are a design-forward architecture firm in our 15th year, scaling our practice from a single office in Newport Beach into a multi-office platform across the US. We’re hiring a Controller who thrives on building disciplined financial operations and systems while protecting our fast-paced, design-driven culture. You’ll be the operational builder who perfects existing and implements new systems that power great design and great client service—tightening project financial performance, elevating utilization discipline, and making cash flow predictable.

This role directly works with the founder and regional directors who value clarity and decisive action. The ideal candidate thrives at building smart, lightweight processes, enjoys being close to the work and the people, and is energized by using AI and modern tools to streamline reporting and eliminate busywork.

This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for project-based financial management, including budget hours, utilization reporting, billing, WIP, A/R and A/P, and a rolling 16-week cash flow forecast. You’ll also support proposal scoping and fee setup, ensuring projects are structured and staffed to hit profit goals. You will be a key driver of accountability across teams—using data and practical process improvements to increase utilization and deliver projects efficiently.

Our culture is built on accountability and teamwork—we set clear expectations, own our commitments, and follow through for each other and our clients. We work with a strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose: we communicate directly, step in when someone needs help, and celebrate wins together. We take pride in delivering excellent work, and when deadlines or client needs spike, we show up for one another—while also focusing on strong planning, clear priorities, and continual process improvements so the pace stays healthy and sustainable as we grow.

• Budget hours are actively managed: PMs have clear burn rates; overages are flagged early; recovery plans are standard.
• Utilization improves through consistent tracking and reporting to CEO and Project Fulfillment
• Billing is predictable and on-time; A/R is proactively managed with firmwide cadence and client communication.
• A/P is organized and current, with clear approval pathways and vendor management.
• 16-week cash flow forecasting becomes a leadership tool.
• Finance + HR systems are simplified and standardized across HQ and regional offices, enabling growth.
• The current accounting program is streamlined and/or migrated to a better solution.
• AI and software technologies are incorporated when needed to excel accounting efficiencies.
• Monthly Financials are produced by the 10th every month and annual financials are produced by January 15th.

• Own firmwide budget hours tracking by project and phase: planned vs actual, fee burn, staffing plan alignment.
• Produce weekly/biweekly project performance reporting: budget hours remaining, burn rate, over/under status, at-risk projects.
• Drive utilization tracking and enforcement across roles/offices: identify gaps, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Partner with PMs/Regional Directors to create efficiency plans (workplan resets, staffing adjustments, scope/billing corrections).
• Implement consistent project setup standards (job numbers, phase budgets, billing schedules, roles, labor categories).

• Own end-to-end A/R: work closely with pm’s on invoice preparation, review, issuance, tracking, follow-up cadence, and escalation.
• Correspond directly with clients on outstanding invoices, billing clarifications, and payment timelines—professional, firm, and relationship-minded.
• Manage WIP and unbilled fees: ensure timely conversion of effort to invoices; prevent aging WIP.
• Establish and run a monthly…