Controller

POSITION SUMMARY

Cypress Healthcare Partners, LLC (“Cypress”) is a Monterey-based physician practice management and management services organization that has served hospitals, medical groups and urgent care clinics in Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties since 1996. Cypress provides billing and collections, revenue cycle, accounting, payroll, HR and management services to clients that include Salinas Valley Health Clinic, Montage Medical Group, Doctors on Duty and several hospital-based physician groups.

Cypress seeks a hands-on Controller to lead its Accounting Department of approximately 8–10 staff. The Controller is Cypress’s senior-most accounting professional and is accountable for accurate, timely monthly financial statements for Cypress and its multi-entity client portfolio, as well as for budgets, internal controls, cash management, audit support and client financial reporting.

This is a working Controller role, not a supervisory-only position. The successful candidate will personally perform a substantial share of the department’s most complex work — generally at least 75% of their time — including month-end close, account reconciliations, accruals, client financial statements, budgets and audit support. Cypress expects its Controller to be the most productive member of the Accounting team and to set the standard for quality, timeliness and professionalism.

The Controller reports to Cypress’s Senior Vice President, works closely with Cypress’s two Principals, and serves as the accounting face of Cypress to its clients’ executive and finance leadership.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Month-End Close and Financial Reporting (hands-on)

• Own the monthly close calendar for Cypress and all client entities; personally prepare and review journal entries, accruals and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Prepare and deliver accurate monthly financial statements to Cypress and its clients on schedule; identify and correct issues that threaten deadlines.
• Account for physician and provider compensation, including wRVU-based bonus and incentive accruals, in coordination with Cypress’s provider compensation staff.
• Monitor gross and net accounts receivable for clients that use accrual-basis financial statements; test the adequacy of reserves for bad debt, contractual allowances and discounts each month.
• Oversee fixed asset accounting, depreciation, lease accounting and intercompany activity.

Client Accounting and Client Relationships

• Present monthly financial results to client executives and finance leaders; explain results clearly and credibly to non-accountants.
• Administer client management fee arrangements, including fee billing, annual CPI-based escalators and intercompany and management agreement accounting.
• Respond to client requests for financial information, analysis and special projects.

Budgeting, Analysis and Forecasting

• Lead and personally participate in annual budgeting for Cypress and its major clients.
• Prepare professional-grade financial analyses, forecasts and variance reports that summarize business performance and financial position.
• Provide financial analysis and decision support to Cypress leadership, clinic managers and client executives.

Internal Controls, Cash Management and Audit

• Design, document and enforce accounting policies and internal controls, including segregation of duties, approval workflows and disbursement controls (e.g., positive pay) for Cypress and client accounts.
• Manage cash, banking relationships, lockbox activity and treasury functions for Cypress and its clients.
• Coordinate and support external audits, tax filings and regulatory examinations; serve as primary contact for outside auditors and tax advisors.
• Support accounting for Cypress real estate and insurance matters as needed.

Payroll Accounting, Systems and Automation

• Oversee payroll accounting and related controls in coordination with Cypress’s Payroll team and HR, including payroll journal entries, GL mapping and reconciliation of ADP Workforce Now Comprehensive Services activity.
• Implement automation that reduces manual work and error, such as the ADP-to-Sage 100 general ledger interface, AP automation and appropriate use of AI tools with proper review controls.
• Continuously evaluate processes and technology to shorten close cycles and improve accuracy; replace “how we’ve always done it” with a culture of continuous improvement.

Department Leadership

• Lead, train and develop accounting staff; assign work based on complexity, capacity and priority; hold staff accountable for quality and deadlines.
• Build and maintain current written SOPs and training materials for every critical accounting function, with at least one trained backup for each.
• Set and administer clear expectations for hybrid and remote work arrangements consistent with Cypress policy.
• Foster a respectful, professional and collaborative team culture; address conflict constructively and promptly.
• Conduct fair, timely performance evaluations; provide ongoing feedback and work with HR on corrective action when needed.
• Recommend staffing, role and reporting changes to Cypress leadership.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

FIRST-YEAR SUCCESS MEASURES

• Monthly financial statements for Cypress and its clients delivered accurately and on an established schedule.
• Balance sheet reconciliations completed and reviewed monthly for all entities.
• Current SOPs and verified backup coverage in place for all mission-critical accounting functions.
• Clean external audits, with no material adjustments attributable to Accounting.
• Measurable progress on automation, including the ADP general ledger interface.
• A stable, accountable and professional Accounting team, and credible working relationships with client finance leaders.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field.
• 10 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including several years managing and developing accounting staff.
• Strong GAAP foundation and hands-on command of month-end close, reconciliations, accruals, financial reporting and audit support.
• Demonstrated multi-entity accounting experience.
• Advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling, complex lookups (XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH), pivot tables and data tools such as Power Query.
• Experience with a mid-market ERP or accounting system (i.e., Sage 100 or a comparable mid-market accounting system).

Preferred

• CPA license (active or inactive).
• Healthcare experience, particularly with physician groups, management services organizations (MSOs), hospitals or other multi-client service environments.
• Experience with accrual-basis medical group accounting, including A/R valuation and contractual allowances, and with physician compensation accruals.
• Master’s degree in accounting, finance or business administration.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong management temperament: accountability, sound judgment, constructive conflict management and reliable execution against deadlines.
• Clear, professional written and verbal communication; able to write reports, correspondence and procedures without unnecessary accounting jargon.
• Able to present financial information and respond to questions from client executives, physicians and senior management with credibility.
• High degree of integrity and discretion with confidential financial and personnel information.
• Strong organizational and project management skills; able to prioritize a high-volume, deadline-driven workload.
• Works independently and solves problems efficiently and accurately; leads by example.

SYSTEMS

Cypress invests in technology and automation. Current systems include Sage 100 (general ledger), SAP Concur (expense reporting), Sage AP Automation/BeanWorks (accounts payable), ADP Workforce Now Comprehensive Services (payroll, benefits and HRIS).

WORK LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENT

This is a full-time, onsite position at Cypress’s corporate office in the Ryan Ranch business park in Monterey, California, with periodic meetings at client offices (e.g., hospital administration and medical clinics). The work is performed in a professional office environment with moderate noise levels. The role is deadline-driven, particularly during month-end close, budgeting and audit periods.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee regularly sits for extended periods and uses a computer, keyboard and telephone; occasionally stands, walks and lifts or moves items up to 20 pounds (e.g., files and office supplies); and must have close vision sufficient for extended work with financial reports and computer screens. Occasional local travel to client sites is required.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities or qualifications. Duties may change as business needs require. Employment with Cypress is at will. The base salary range reflects the range Cypress reasonably expects to pay for this position; actual compensation will depend on qualifications and experience. Cypress Healthcare Partners, LLC is an equal opportunity employer.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:

Proof of identity and legal authority to work in the U.S. is a condition of employment. Cypress Healthcare Partners will not sponsor applicants for work visas.