Position Summary

Elite Clinical Network seeks a strategic Controller to lead all financial accounting, reporting, and financial planning & analysis (FP&A) for a fully integrated network of 25+ clinical research sites backed by private equity. The Controller will own the complete financial package—from monthly close and consolidated reporting to forward-looking cash flow projections, predictive analytics, and investor-grade analysis. This role is ideal for a finance leader with healthcare or clinical research experience who can blend deep accounting rigor with strategic business partnership and technology fluency.

Reporting Structure

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Direct Reports: Accounting team (currently 3–4 staff)

Primary Responsibilities

• Monthly Close & Consolidated Reporting: Lead monthly close process across 25 sites and corporate, ensuring accurate GL reconciliation, account consolidation, and delivery of full 3-statement financials (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow). Provide variance analysis, bridge schedules, and key metrics dashboard to CFO and leadership.
• Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A): Own all FP&A functions including annual budgeting, quarterly rolling forecasts, pro forma financial statements, and 13-week cash flow projections. Collaborate with CFO and clinical operations leadership to align protocol/site forecasts with financial projections. Develop scenario analysis (upside/downside) for management decision-making.
• Predictive Analytics & Collections Forecasting: Work with Billing Manager and IT Data Analyst to develop and maintain predictive models for AR collections by sponsor/protocol, cash timing forecasts, and aging risk analysis. Leverage ECN's Fabric Lakehouse and Power BI environment to build self-service dashboards for site managers and finance team. Iterate on models to improve forecast accuracy.
• Site-Level Financial Reporting & Automation: Own delivery of accrual-basis site P&L, margin analysis, and financial metrics to site managers, operations leadership, and investor stakeholders. Currently a manual Excel-based process; Controller is expected to lead automation and self-serve reporting using Fabric/Power BI, reducing manual effort and improving data accuracy. Partner with CFO and IT on technology roadmap.
• Accounting Team Leadership & Development: Hire, train, supervise, and develop accounting team members. Recruit and onboard to strengthen GL maintenance, journal entry review, reconciliation oversight, and workpaper preparation. Establish best practices, ensure compliance with GAAP, and foster team accountability for financial accuracy.
• General Ledger & Accounting Controls: Oversee chart of accounts (300+ accounts), account mapping, consolidation logic, and intercompany elimination. Ensure data integrity across QuickBooks subsidiary instances and Fabric Lakehouse. Implement process improvements to reduce manual journal entries and enhance close efficiency.
• Revenue Recognition & Complex Contracts: Ensure accurate revenue recognition under ASC 606 for clinical research contracts with complex terms (tiered pricing, milestone payments, holdback provisions, screen fail caps). Collaborate with CFO on contract review and revenue analysis. Maintain audit trail and supporting schedules.
• PE Portfolio Reporting & Investor Relations: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and ad-hoc financial packages for private equity stakeholders, including normalized EBITDA, KPI dashboard, covenant compliance analysis, and variance explanations. Be the subject matter expert on ECN's financials; respond to investor inquiries with detailed analysis and supporting data. Prepare for investor calls with CFO.
• Transaction Due Diligence Readiness: Develop and maintain audit-ready working capital and financial analysis workpapers. Understand data room structure and documentation requirements. In the event of active M&A discussions, support CFO and PE investors in preparing financial statements package, quality of earnings analysis, and customized buyer questions.
• Compliance & External Audit Support: Ensure compliance with GAAP, ASC 606 (revenue), ASC 805 (M&A), and healthcare-specific regulations. Lead external audit process, prepare schedules, implement audit recommendations, and ensure zero findings related to financial controls.
• Systems & Data Integration: Understand all data inputs that impact financial reporting (QBO, CTMS, Fabric Lakehouse, Power BI). Work collaboratively with IT and CFO to improve data pipelines, eliminate manual workarounds, and enhance reporting automation. Champion adoption of tools that reduce close cycle time and improve forecast accuracy.
• Bank Reconciliation & Treasury Support: Oversee bank reconciliation across multiple accounts and institutions. Support CFO on cash position management, working capital strategy, and short-term liquidity planning.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA (or eligibility path to CPA) strongly preferred.
• Experience: 10–15+ years of accounting and finance experience, with at least 5 years in a Controller, VP Finance, or Senior Accounting Manager role at a mid-market company ($30M–$150M revenue). Prior experience at a healthcare, life sciences, or clinical research organization is highly desirable.
• Financial Reporting & FP&A: Proven ability to develop and deliver complete financial statements (3-statement package), budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis. Comfortable with month-end close timelines and external reporting requirements. Experience with FP&A software or advanced Excel modeling is a plus.
• Revenue Recognition: Strong knowledge of ASC 606 (revenue from contracts with customers), particularly in complex contract environments. Healthcare billing, clinical research revenue, or variable consideration experience is highly valuable.
• Technical Competency: Advanced Excel skills and Expert-level proficiency in QuickBooks (Desktop or Online, multi-subsidiary consolidation). Comfortable understanding and navigating SQL queries, data warehouses, or BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, Looker). Should be able to discuss data architecture with IT team without being a developer.
• Team Leadership: Demonstrated success building and mentoring accounting teams. Strong delegation, coaching, and communication skills. Ability to establish best practices, drive continuous improvement, and hold team accountable.
• PE & Transaction Experience: Prior exposure to private equity ownership, portfolio company management, or M&A due diligence strongly preferred. Familiarity with EBITDA adjustments, covenant tracking, and investor reporting.
• Business Acumen: Ability to translate clinical operations and protocol metrics into financial impact. Comfortable asking questions and engaging with business leaders (not just finance staff). Strategic mindset with focus on supporting CFO on growth, profitability, and exit readiness.
• Attention to Detail & Analytical Rigor: Meticulous approach to financial accuracy. Ability to identify trends, discrepancies, and risks in complex multi-site datasets. Strong problem-solving skills and comfort with ambiguity in a fast-growing organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA license (current and in good standing)
• Healthcare, clinical research, or life sciences industry background (hospitals, CROs, clinical trial sites, pharma)
• Experience with multi-site consolidation or matrix accounting across decentralized business units
• Hands-on experience building or iterating on financial forecasting models and scenario planning
• Familiarity with Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, or SQL for financial data analysis
• Experience supporting M&A due diligence or transaction documentation (data rooms, EBITDA restatements, seller-level closing)
• Background in a PE-backed or high-growth environment with active investor relations
• Basic understanding of clinical trial operations (protocol types, patient recruitment cycles, sponsor funding models)

Pay

• $130,000 - $150,000 annually

Work Environment & Culture

This is a strategic finance leadership role in a high-growth, PE-backed clinical research organization. The Controller will be the second-most senior finance leader reporting to the CFO, with direct access to Senior Leadership Team and PE Investors. The role demands someone who is equally comfortable with meticulous accounting detail and forward-looking financial strategy. You will partner with clinical operations, billing, IT, and executive leadership to drive financial excellence and support investor value creation.

ECN values collaboration, continuous improvement, technical rigor, and ownership. You will be empowered to modernize financial reporting, build predictive capabilities, automate manual processes, and mentor the accounting team. The organization is on a growth trajectory and the Controller is expected to be a trusted advisor to the CFO and a key stakeholder in transaction discussions.

Elite Clinical Network is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.