Assistant Controller

The role

A top-tier, NYC-based hedge fund managing sophisticated strategies and institutional capital. The firm values technical excellence, rapid execution, and collaborative decision-making. This Controller role offers a high-visibility leadership opportunity to build scalable finance operations, influence business strategy, and work closely with senior investment and operations teams.

We’re seeking an experienced, technically strong Assistant Controller to lead all accounting, financial reporting, and control activities for the firm. The ideal candidate will transition from public accounting (audit senior manager or equivalent) and bring deep GAAP expertise, strong technical accounting judgment on complex investment structures, and proven experience managing audits and internal controls. This is a hands-on leadership role responsible for the month-end close, financial statements, regulatory reporting, treasury, and accounting policy.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and own the full monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes; prepare and deliver accurate, GAAP-compliant financial statements and disclosures.
• Manage external relationships with auditors, tax advisors, administrators, custodians, and banks; lead annual audit and support tax reporting.
• Oversee accounting for complex investments and instruments (derivatives, securities lending, swaps, OTC instruments, partnerships/LLCs, carried interest, fund structures).
• Drive and enhance internal controls and SOX readiness/compliance (if applicable); design control frameworks, document processes, and coordinate testing.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop the accounting team; establish clear roles, goals, and performance metrics.
• Manage treasury and cash forecasting; maintain banking relationships and oversee cash movements, margin, and collateral reporting.
• Implement and optimize accounting and reporting systems (e.g., accounting ledgers, portfolio accounting platforms, Excel automation, BI/reporting tools); partner with IT/ops for systems projects.
• Collaborate with CFO and senior leadership on budgeting, capital planning, management reporting, and business initiatives.
• Provide technical accounting guidance on new transactions, investments, product launches, and regulatory matters.
• Ensure timely and accurate fund and entity-level reporting to investors and stakeholders; prepare board materials and management packages as needed.
• Maintain up-to-date accounting policies and ensure compliance with GAAP, SEC rules (if applicable), and other regulatory requirements.

What you bring

Required

• 10 years of progressive accounting experience, at a Big Four or national/regional firms.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge of US GAAP; hands-on experience with consolidations, equity method, fair value measurement, ASC 815 (derivatives), ASC 946 (investment companies) and partnership/fund accounting.
• Demonstrated experience leading external audits and interacting with auditors and regulators.
• Proven people manager with experience developing and scaling small accounting teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain complex accounting matters to non-accounting stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and ability to work under tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Nice to have

• Experience designing, documenting, and testing internal controls; SOX experience strongly preferred.

Meet most of these but not every one? Apply anyway. A recruiter looks at your whole background.

The package

• Base salary: $200K-$225K
• Annual bonus

The firm

This is a confidential search, so the firm is described rather than named. JSB shares the name in a first conversation.

The firm specializes in event-driven, value-oriented public equity, corporate/structured credit, and private credit.