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].
