Corporate Controller in Washington, District of Columbia at JAG HQ DC

JOSÉ ANDRÉS GROUP

Corporate Controller

LOCATION: Washington, D.C. (In-Office)

SALARY RANGE: $180,000 – $230,000 + Benefits

REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

TRAVEL: Occasional regional market visits

POSITION OVERVIEW

The José Andrés Group is seeking a dynamic, highly analytical, and forward-thinking Corporate Controller to lead our accounting function during an exciting period of rapid growth. Reporting directly to the CFO, this pivotal role will be responsible for overseeing all day-to-day financial operations, including AP, AR, treasury, tax, and financial reporting.

Critically, this leader will spearhead the strategic internalization of our accounting function from a historically outsourced model, building out institutional controls, processes, and a high-performing internal team. The ideal candidate blends "Big 4" technical rigor with a strong modern tech affinity—possessing a natural curiosity for how Excel automation and emerging AI tools can be leveraged to scale operations across a multi-unit hospitality environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Role Dynamics: Approximately 65% Executive Execution & System Design / 35% Delegated Oversight & Management.

Financial Leadership & Core Accounting

• Oversee and optimize daily accounting operations: Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), treasury, sales tax, corporate tax, and general ledger functions.
• Lead the transition, strategy, and execution of moving the accounting function from an outsourced model to a fully internalized, scalable in-house operation.
• Establish, implement, and enforce robust internal controls, processes, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for the newly formed internal team.
• Manage investor relations requests, maintain the company’s capitalization table, and serve as the primary financial liaison for legal agreements.
• Coordinate and manage relationships with external auditors to ensure smooth, timely annual audits and comprehensive compliance with US GAAP.

Team Development & Process Optimization

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing internal accounting team, utilizing high emotional intelligence (EQ) to foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and professional growth.
• Champion continuous improvement within the department; bring an automation-first mindset to identify opportunities where advanced Excel workflows or digital tools can eliminate manual tasks.

In Return, We Offer You

• Competitive compensation and performance-based bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive health & wellness benefits
• Retirement savings plans
• Employee dining and partner discounts
• Growth in a values-driven, award-winning hospitality group

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Education & Certification: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Chartered Accountant designation is required.
• Public Accounting Background: 2–3 years of foundational public accounting experience at a Big 4 or top-tier public accounting firm.
• Corporate Experience: 3–5 years of progressive corporate accounting experience, ideally in a corporate controller, assistant controller, or director of accounting capacity.
• Industry Expertise: Strong preference for candidates with experience in a multi-unit restaurant or retail environment managing financial operations across 20+ units or supporting organizations with more than 800 employees.

Technical & Digital Skills:

• Deep, comprehensive working knowledge of US GAAP.
• Highly proficient in advanced Excel with a proven track record of automating manual processes.

PREFERRED: A strong natural affinity for, or knowledge of, AI automation and emerging digital tools, with a keen interest in exploring how they can be practically applied to streamline an accounting ecosystem.

CORE COMPETENCIES & ATTRIBUTES

• High Ownership: A self-starter who thrives on total accountability, self-management, and executing complex projects with minimal supervision in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.
• Process-Oriented: Exceptional organizational skills with a passion for building systems, scalable architecture, and operational clarity out of ambiguity.
• Communication Excellence & Diplomacy: Superb written and verbal communication skills, capable of translating complex financial metrics and technical accounting terms into clear, actionable insights for both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Analytical Rigor: Exceptional numeracy, sharp diagnostic problem-solving capabilities, and elite time-management skills.

Equal Opportunity Employer

José Andrés Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in the federal E-Verify Program.