Hire a Remote Controller
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Why Companies Hire Remote Controllers through MAVI
Remote hiring opens up a deeper bench. MAVI's network includes Controllers who have led accounting functions at fast-growing companies, managed external audits, implemented ERPs, and reported directly to CFOs and boards. They have the credentials and the scar tissue that comes from building finance infrastructure under pressure.
This page covers what a remote Controller handles, how to evaluate candidates at this level, what the right hire unlocks for your business, and how MAVI's placement process works.
What a Remote Controller Actually Handles
Lead the month-end and year-end close
Owns the full close process - sets the calendar, manages the team, reviews all journal entries and reconciliations, and ensures books are accurate and on time
Manage financial reporting
Prepares and reviews the P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statement for internal stakeholders, board packages, and external reporting requirements.
Own the audit relationship
Serves as the primary point of contact for external auditors, coordinates PBC requests, prepares audit schedules, and manages the timeline through to completion.
Build and improve accounting processes
Identifies control gaps, documents policies and procedures, and implements improvements that make the accounting function more reliable as the company scales.
Oversee compliance and tax coordination
Manages regulatory filings, coordinates with external tax advisors, and ensures the company meets its compliance obligations across jurisdictions.
Lead and develop the accounting team
Manages direct reports, reviews their work, provides feedback, and builds the team's capacity over time.
What Separates a Strong Candidate from a Mediocre One
The Controller role is where hiring errors are most costly. A weak hire at this level doesn't just slow the team down - it creates risk that surfaces at the worst possible time. Here's what to screen for:
CPA credentials and audit experience
A Controller who has been through a real external audit - not just supported one - understands what clean books actually look like under scrutiny. Ask specifically about the audits they've managed, how long the PBC process took, and what auditors pushed back on. Prior Big 4 or mid-tier public accounting experience is a strong positive signal.
Process ownership, not just execution
The best Controllers don't just manage what exists - they identify what's missing. Ask candidates to describe a process improvement they initiated, how they built it, and what changed afterward. Candidates who can only describe what they inherited tend to maintain the status quo rather than upgrade it.
ERP implementation or migration experience
Fast-growing companies often go through at least one ERP transition during a Controller's tenure. Candidates who have led or managed a migration from QuickBooks to NetSuite, or from one ERP to another, bring practical infrastructure experience that is hard to replicate through training.
Comfort reporting to non-finance stakeholders
At growth-stage companies, Controllers often present to founders, operators, and board members who don't live in the numbers. The ability to translate accounting outputs into clear business language - without dumbing things down - is a real differentiator. Ask how they've handled questions from non-finance leadership in past roles.
What a Strong Remote Controller is Worth
Your CFO or VP of Finance works at the right level
When the Controller owns the close, the CFO stops being a backup accountant. They can focus on fundraising, strategic planning, and the forward-looking work that requires their attention. That separation is what a strong Controller hire makes structurally possible.
Audit prep stops being a crisis
Companies with a strong Controller in place typically enter audits in a materially better position - reconciliations are current, documentation exists, and the PBC list gets turned around quickly. The audit still requires effort, but it stops being an all-hands scramble.
Investors and lenders get what they need, on time
Board packages, lender covenants, and investor reporting all require accurate, timely financials. A Controller who owns this process reduces the lag between close and reporting, and produces outputs that hold up to outside scrutiny.
The team gets better over time
A strong Controller doesn't just produce accurate work - they raise the standard for the people around them. Accountants who report to a rigorous Controller tend to improve faster, make fewer errors, and stay longer.
The ramp is shorter than a typical search
MAVI's Controllers are vetted for US GAAP fluency, ERP experience, and direct exposure to US finance teams and audit processes. They arrive already calibrated to the standards your auditors and investors expect.
How the Hiring Process Works
Tell us what you need.
Share the role requirements - volume, tool stack, hours (full-time or fractional), and any specific workflows you need covered. The more specific, the better the match.
Receive matched candidates.
MAVI sends you a shortlist of pre-vetted candidates within 48 hours. Each profile includes a detailed summary of their experience, the tools they've used, and the types of companies they've worked with.
Interview and hire.
You interview your top candidates - MAVI facilitates and is present throughout. Once you've made your selection, we handle contracts, payments, and compliance. Your new hire can start in as fast as 5 days from your first conversation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Remote Controller work in my time zone?
Yes. MAVI's talent network spans multiple global regions, and candidates are available across a range of time zones including full overlap with US Eastern, Central, and Pacific hours. Time zone alignment is part of the matching criteria from the start.
How does MAVI vet Remote Controller?
Every candidate goes through a multi-step vetting process covering accounting technical knowledge, US GAAP proficiency, ERP and tool fluency, and communication skills. Work history is verified and references are checked. By the time a profile reaches you, the candidate has already cleared these bars.
How long does it take to hire a Remote Controller through MAVI?
Most placements happen within 5 days of the initial conversation. MAVI sends matched candidates within 48 hours, and onboarding moves quickly once you've made your selection. If your situation is urgent - a sudden departure, a deadline approaching - MAVI prioritizes accordingly.
What accounting software do Remote Controllers typically use?
MAVI's candidates are commonly fluent in QuickBooks Online, NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Xero, Bill.com, Ramp, and Gusto. ERP and tool preferences are part of the matching criteria - candidates are filtered to match your existing tech stack.
Is there a minimum commitment or long-term contract?
No. MAVI operates month-to-month with no contract lock-in and no upfront placement fees. Engagements can be full-time or fractional, and hours can scale up or down as your needs change.
Can a Remote Controller manage an in-person accounting team?
Yes. Many of MAVI's Controllers manage hybrid or fully remote teams. They're experienced with async workflows, documentation-first communication, and the tools that make remote finance team management work - Slack, shared drives, project management software alongside the accounting stack.
Do MAVI Controllers have CPA credentials?
Many do. CPA credentials and equivalent international certifications are common in MAVI's Controller network. CPA requirement is part of the matching criteria if it's a hard requirement for your role.