Controller — Accounting Operations, Systems & Strategic Finance
Berlin, New Jersey | $90,000-$135,000 base | 5%-20%+ annual performance bonus | Full-time, fully in-office
The opportunity:
Great strategic finance starts with the small things being right. This role gives you the chance to own that foundation - and then help build what comes next.
Federal Rent-A-Fence is a rapidly growing, private-equity-backed, asset-heavy rental and field-services company with 17 branches and counting. Our ambition is to build one of the largest temporary-fence platforms in the United States - but to do it as a next-generation operating company, not by simply scaling old processes. We are investing heavily in digitization, automation, better systems and better data, and we are willing to adopt new solutions quickly when they make the business materially better.
You will work directly with the CFO as the company's primary accounting partner. Early in the role, you will personally prepare journal entries, complete reconciliations, manage AP details, build the 13-week cash forecast, clean up asset records and solve mundane accounting problems. This is intentionally hands-on. The mandate is to master the controls, then make them stronger, simpler and increasingly digital so you spend less time policing the process and more time finding issues, improving the business and scaling the function.
The role also provides unusual exposure beyond traditional controllership. You will work directly with a CFO who spent approximately a decade in M&A investment banking and will be involved in monthly financial reporting package review, budget-versus-actual analysis, annual budgeting, board preparation, lender communication, ROI analysis and capital allocation. Strong performance can lead to broader scope, higher responsibility and promotion opportunities as the company grows. There is no promised next title or automatic timetable - the opportunity expands with capability and results.
What you will own
- The complete month-end accounting process: journal entries, accruals, cutoff, bank and balance-sheet reconciliations, workpapers and an accurate, predictable close - initially by Business Day 8, with a mandate to become faster and better controlled.
- The accounting accuracy behind monthly financial reporting, plus review and commentary on actual-versus-budget performance, branch and department trends, working capital and unusual financial results.
- Cash, treasury and working-capital visibility, including a reliable 13-week cash-flow forecast, upcoming obligations, vendor-payment timing and line-of-credit support.
- Hands-on accounting operations, including AP entry and review, vendor payments, issue resolution and accounting guidance to the people handling billing, payroll and incoming cash.
- Accounting and controls for an asset-heavy business: rental fleet, inventory, fixed assets, purchases, capitalization, branch transfers, repairs, depreciation, physical counts and disposals.
- Sales and use tax, recurring accounting compliance, audit support and day-to-day coordination with outside accountants, lenders and advisors.
- Finance systems and automation across Sage 50, FenceForce, Ramp, Paylocity, Excel and future tools. We want someone who naturally sees a three-day manual process and asks whether software, better data or a redesigned workflow can make it a controlled process that takes minutes.
- Day-to-day accounting guidance for our Payroll & Timekeeping Specialist, Biller and Accounts Receivable Specialist, while helping shape the systems, roles and future hires the Finance team will need as Federal continues to grow.
What you will learn and grow into
- Direct exposure to strategic finance: how the CFO reviews a monthly financial package, tells the story behind the numbers and turns accounting results into decisions.
- Budgeting and performance management: annual budget development, monthly actual-versus-budget review, operating-driver analysis and forecasting.
- Board and lender preparation: how financial results, risks, opportunities and capital decisions are distilled for senior stakeholders. Strong performers can progressively attend and contribute to these discussions.
- Capital allocation and ROI thinking: evaluating systems, hiring, equipment, working capital and other investments using financial logic rather than instinct alone.
- Finance-function building: as the company scales, help design the next systems, controls, roles and hires instead of inheriting a finished organization chart.
- Broader responsibility over time: strong performance can create opportunities for expanded scope and promotion as Federal grows. There is intentionally no predetermined next title - the path is earned through mastery, judgment and impact.
The person we are looking for:
- Exceptionally detail-oriented, organized and process-driven. You naturally close loops and dislike leaving unresolved items behind.
- Technically grounded in GAAP, debits and credits, journal entries, accruals, capitalization, cutoff and reconciliations. You understand why the accounting works — not only which template to use.
- Hands-on and low-ego. You are willing to enter an invoice, rebuild a reconciliation or trace an asset when that is what the business needs.
- Digital-first and genuinely interested in ERPs, automation, reporting tools and generative AI. You do not need to be a programmer, but you should enjoy using technology to eliminate avoidable work.
- A first-principles thinker. You respect accounting controls, but you can separate the objective from the inherited process and ask whether there is a better way to get the same or better control.
- Career-oriented and high-energy, with a track record of succeeding in demanding environments. You want broader finance responsibility over time, and you understand that the path starts with mastering the details well enough that other people can trust your analysis.
- Able to communicate clearly, receive direct feedback and eventually challenge a senior leader with evidence and a better solution.
Preferred backgrounds:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
- CPA or CFA strongly preferred; either credential satisfies the preference, and an exceptional candidate without either credential can still be considered.
- Generally four to five or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
- Public accounting, audit, transaction advisory, quality of earnings or technical-accounting experience is strongly valued — including Big Four, Top 20 and high-quality regional firms.
- Industry-only candidates are welcome when their experience was gained in a large, sophisticated or relevant environment, especially asset-heavy, equipment-rental, construction, field-services, multi-location or private-equity-backed companies.
- Fund accounting, investment banking or adjacent strategic-finance experience can be relevant when paired with strong accounting fundamentals and a willingness to own operational accounting.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP, close, reporting, AP, cash or automation tools.
About Federal Rent-A-Fence
Federal Rent-A-Fence has served construction and commercial customers since 1993. Today we operate 17 branches and counting across an asset-heavy rental and field-services platform, and we are growing rapidly. Our ambition is to become one of the largest temporary-fence companies in the United States while building a more digital, automated and data-driven company than the industry has historically seen.
How to Apply
Apply directly through this posting, or email your resume to [email protected] with the subject line:
Controller Job – First Name Last Name
If applying by email, please include a short note explaining why this role interests you and why you believe your background makes you a strong fit. This does not need to be a formal cover letter—we would rather read a thoughtful, concise note in your own words.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- How would you rate your ability to reason through GAAP journal entries and debits / credits without relying on a template? 1 = limited; 5 = expert.
- How digital-first is your working style? 1 = strongly prefer paper / manual processes; 5 = default to controlled digital workflows and look for ways to automate repeat work.
- Have you either (a) spent approximately four or more years in public accounting, audit, advisory, quality of earnings, fund accounting or another demanding finance environment, or (b) worked in accounting at a large, sophisticated or directly relevant operating company?
License/Certification:
- CPA (Preferred)
- Chartered Financial Analyst (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Berlin, NJ 08009 (Required)
Work Location: In person
