Chief Financial Officer / Controller

AuditFriendly Careers ‚Ä¢ Brooklyn, NY ‚Ä¢ Full Time

Posted on Sat, Jul 18, 2026

We are seeking a hands-on, operationally focused CFO/Controller to join a growing payroll processing company. This role combines strategic financial leadership with direct oversight of payroll tax operations, compliance, and process management. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable managing accounting and compliance functions while improving workflows, driving operational efficiency, and supporting executive decision-making.
This is not a purely back-office accounting role. The position requires a proactive leader who can oversee financial operations while collaborating across payroll operations, payroll tax, client service, compliance, technology, and executive management.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership

Oversee all accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management
Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
Maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements
Manage audits, tax filings, banking relationships, and insurance matters
Develop KPIs and financial metrics to support company growth and profitability
Advise ownership/executive leadership on financial strategy and operational performance

Payroll Tax Department Leadership

Direct and oversee all payroll tax operations, filings, deposits, reconciliations, and compliance activities
Ensure timely and accurate filing/payment of all federal, state, and local payroll taxes
Manage quarterly and annual payroll tax reporting, including Forms 941, 940, W-2s, state unemployment filings, and related compliance reporting
Oversee payroll tax account registrations, notices, audits, amendments, and agency correspondence
Build and manage controls to minimize tax penalties, late filings, and compliance exposure
Supervise payroll tax personnel and establish scalable departmental processes and accountability
Coordinate with payroll operations and technology teams to ensure system accuracy, tax table maintenance, and regulatory updates
Maintain current knowledge of multi-state payroll tax regulations and compliance requirements
Lead resolution of complex payroll tax issues, client escalations, and regulatory matters
Evaluate and improve payroll tax workflows, automation, and reporting systems

Operational Oversight

Partner with payroll operations leadership to improve workflows, controls, scalability, and efficiency
Evaluate and optimize operational processes across payroll processing, onboarding, billing, collections, and client service
Help implement systems, automation, and reporting tools to improve accuracy and productivity
Support organizational scaling, process documentation, and cross-functional accountability
Participate in vendor management, software evaluations, and operational planning

Compliance & Risk Management

Ensure compliance with payroll tax regulations, labor-related reporting requirements, and financial controls
Monitor risk exposure and implement policies/procedures to protect company assets and client funds
Maintain strong controls around payroll processing accuracy and financial integrity
Establish audit-ready procedures and documentation standards across accounting and payroll tax functions

Qualifications

CPA preferred
5 years of progressive accounting/finance leadership experience
Significant experience managing payroll tax operations within a payroll processing company, PEO, staffing firm, or related environment
Strong understanding of multi-state payroll tax compliance, agency requirements, and payroll operations
Experience overseeing accounting, payroll tax systems, HR/payroll platforms, and operational workflows
Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
Hands-on mentality with willingness to dive into operational and compliance details when needed

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate is a strategic but highly practical finance leader who can balance high-level financial oversight with operational execution. They should possess deep payroll tax expertise, understand the importance of compliance and accuracy in payroll operations, and be capable of building scalable systems, processes, and controls in a growing organization.
Compensation

Competitive base salary
Bonus/incentive structure
Benefits package
Potential equity participation for the right candidate

AuditFriendly salary estimate

The employer did not post a salary for this role. Based on AuditFriendly's salary intelligence model (comparable live postings, role, seniority, and location), we estimate base pay of $171,000–$296,000 per year (median ~$269,000). This is an AuditFriendly estimate, not an employer-provided figure.

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