Controller

Fahrenheit Advisors is leading the search for the Controller for our client, Panther Service Group, a Private Equity-Backed Home Services Platform located in the Clearwater/Tampa, FL area.

Corporate Controller

Position Summary

Panther Service Group is seeking an experienced, hands-on Corporate Controller to lead the accounting and financial reporting function for a growing private equity-backed home services platform consisting of multiple founder-led operating companies.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Corporate Controller will serve as the senior accounting and finance leader for the organization and a key business partner to the CEO, executive leadership team, private equity sponsor, and operating company leadership.

The Controller will play a critical role in building scalable accounting processes, systems, financial reporting capabilities, and internal controls across the platform. A critical component of this role is creating a high-service accounting organization that supports the operating companies as internal customers.

This position is based, for now, at the Clearwater location of one of Panther Service Group’s operating companies and follows a hybrid work schedule with an expectation of approximately 2-3 days per week in the office.

Executive Financial Leadership

• Serve as the primary accounting and financial reporting partner to the CEO.
• Provide accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to support business decisions.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of each operating company’s business model and financial drivers.
• Provide visibility into profitability, cash flow, EBITDA, working capital, and operational performance.
• Support Board reporting, lender reporting, and private equity sponsor reporting requirements.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities, and performance trends and communicate recommendations to leadership.

Operating Company Partnership & Internal Customer Service

• Establish the finance organization as a trusted business partner to each operating company.
• Build strong relationships with founders, General Managers, and local leadership teams.
• Provide meaningful financial insight that helps operating leaders make informed business decisions.
• Offer practical financial support while minimizing unnecessary administrative burden.
• Balance accountability, controls, and standardization with entrepreneurial operating company cultures.
• Promote a service-oriented finance culture throughout the organization.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes across multiple entities.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of consolidated financial statements.
• Oversee account reconciliations, accruals, fixed assets, prepaid expenses, and intercompany transactions.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Develop reporting packages for executive leadership, lenders, and investors.
• Ensure consistent accounting policies and procedures across all business units.

Financial Analysis & Business Performance

• Partner with leadership to improve financial visibility and operational decision-making.
• Analyze actual results against budget, forecast, and prior-year performance.
• Monitor revenue, margins, labor efficiency, inventory, and operating expenses.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
• Assist operating leaders in identifying opportunities to improve profitability and cash generation.

ERP, Technology & Systems Leadership

• Lead ERP implementation, optimization, and integration initiatives.
• Support continued deployment and enhancement of Sage Intacct and ServiceTitan.
• Improve reporting accuracy, automation, and system efficiencies.
• Develop scalable processes that leverage technology to reduce manual work.
• Ensure data integrity across financial and operational systems.

Inventory Management & Controls

• Establish inventory accounting policies and procedures.
• Improve inventory visibility, accountability, and valuation processes.
• Ensure inventory systems reconcile accurately with the general ledger.
• Oversee physical inventory counts and cycle count programs.
• Strengthen purchasing, receiving, and inventory control processes.

M&A & Integration

• Support acquisition due diligence efforts.
• Lead accounting integration activities for acquired companies.
• Standardize reporting, systems, and accounting procedures across acquisitions.
• Develop repeatable integration processes and onboarding playbooks.
• Help newly acquired businesses transition successfully into the Panther platform.

Cash Management & Working Capital

• Oversee cash management processes.
• Monitor accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory trends.
• Improve working capital management and cash conversion.
• Assist with lender reporting and covenant compliance.
• Support cash forecasting and liquidity planning.

Audit, Tax & Compliance

• Manage financial statement audits and external audit relationships.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors and service providers.
• Ensure compliance with accounting policies, debt agreements, and reporting requirements.
• Maintain documentation supporting financial statements and key accounting judgments.

Team Leadership

• Build, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and performance standards.
• Foster a culture of responsiveness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Assess organizational needs and recommend future staffing requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience leading accounting functions in multi-entity environments.
• Private equity-backed, acquisitive, or high-growth company experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with ERP implementations and system integrations.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience with Sage Intacct and ServiceTitan strongly preferred.
• Home services, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or field service industry experience preferred.

Key Competencies

• Service-oriented leadership.
• Relationship building and credibility with operating leaders.
• Strategic thinking paired with hands-on execution.
• Strong communication skills with financial and non-financial audiences.
• Change management and process improvement orientation.
• Technology-enabled accounting and reporting mindset.
• Inventory and operational accounting expertise.
• Ability to build scalable infrastructure in a growing platform.

Success in the Role

• Accurate and timely consolidated reporting.
• Development of scalable accounting infrastructure.
• Successful ERP and technology adoption.
• Improved inventory controls and visibility.
• Strong partnerships with operating company leadership.
• Effective integration of acquired businesses.
• Greater confidence in financial reporting by leadership and investors.