Controller

Role: Controller Status: Exempt
Lakefield Veterinary Group is a rapidly growing national network of veterinary practices and hospitals strategically located across the U.S. We provide comprehensive services that support pet health throughout all stages of life, including preventive care, emergency services, specialty care, grooming, and more. Our expansion is driven by acquisitions, where we preserve and honor the independence and local legacy of veterinarians who wish to transition their practices.
We believe that how we treat pets and clients, our team members, and our communities' matters, and the way we consistently approach our work with both passion and compassion is by using our core set of values to guide us every day, every time. Our values are:
• Do the Right Thing. Every Lakefield Team Member is empowered to make the right decisions for the pet, the client, and the practice.
• Fun! We believe having pets is fun and caring for them should be, too. Infusing fun, camaraderie, and a sense of humor into our day-to-day is part of the Lakefield culture.
• Wow Service. Along with providing exceptional care to pets, we are committed to going above and beyond for our clients.
• Respect. Our relationships with our clients, vendors, and fellow Team Members are built on a foundation of respect.
• Learning. We never stop looking for ways to learn and grow. We welcome new ideas and perspectives and offer learning and development opportunities to Team Members in every part of our organization.
We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Controller to oversee all financial aspects of our veterinary hospital business. This position is critical for ensuring smooth financial operations, including managing accounting functions, budgeting, financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. The Controller will collaborate with senior management to provide strategic insights for decision-making, while maintaining the highest level of financial integrity. The Controller must also be comfortable driving projects both independently and with a team, and they must possess the ability to smile, laugh, and have some fun with us!
Job Type: Full time salaried exempt
Compensation: $175,000 to $195,000
Reports To: CFO
Location: Kent, WA area is preferred 
Key Responsibilities:
The Controller oversees all accounting functions, including the development and management of accounting processes and policies, technical accounting research, internal controls, cash management, treasury, tax compliance, audits, and financial reporting for both the company as a whole and the individual veterinary hospitals within our network. This leadership role requires a strategic, hands-on approach to ensuring accuracy and driving automation across our hospitals.
Reporting:
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and statement of cash flows on a consolidated level and for each individual hospital.
• Prepare footnotes and related disclosures for annual audited financials.
• Write insightful MD&A commentary telling the stories behind the numbers.
• Support hospital leadership questions and understanding of their financial results.
Financial Compliance and Auditing:
• Ensure the company's accounting is technically accurate and in compliance with current GAAP.
• Perform technical GAAP and tax research to ensure the company is proactively identifying and addressing emerging compliance changes.
• Track and manage all acquisition and partnership related obligations, including partner payments, earnout obligations, put right payments and other financial requirements.
• Coordinate external audits and auditor relations.
• Support audit committee reporting.
• Ensure timely compliance with all federal, state, and local financial regulations, tax laws, and industry standards.
Internal Controls, Processes & Accounting Systems:
• Develop and enforce financial internal controls to safeguard assets and minimize financial risk.
• Regularly review and update internal procedures to improve operational efficiency and reduce financial risk.
• Identify, implement, manage, and optimize financial systems that automate procedures (be a digital transformation champion).
Cash Management & Treasury:
• Manage, track, and report on weekly and monthly cash flows.
• Own debt management, interest rate tracking, and credit agreement compliance.
• Support banking relations with banks and lenders.
Qualifications:
• CPA or a similar credential (MBA a plus).
• 5+ years serving in public accounting.
• 5+ years serving as Controller (or relevant function) in a high-growth, midsized business.
• Multi-unit experience.
• Technically strong and highly proficient with GAAP.
• Highly skilled with excel.
• Systems oriented with the ability to automate tasks.
• Curious, driven, self-motivated, and in possession of a great attitude with a desire to teach and learn.
• Ability and desire to manage people.
• Highly collaborative with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organizational, project management, and decision-making skills, including demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in parallel with aggressive deadlines.
• A bias to take thoughtful action seeking solutions to problems and roadblocks.
• A leader with both creative and analytical capabilities.
• Demonstrated ability to roll-up sleeves and collaborate in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment.

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