Interim & Fractional Controller Consultants- Richmond, VA

Smith + Howard Advisory is seeking experienced, hands-on Controllers interested in consulting opportunities with clients in Richmond, Virginia and the surrounding markets. This role is ideal for professionals looking to apply their expertise through interim, fractional, or project-based engagements, while maintaining flexibility and control over their schedule. Our consultant’s partner with emerging growth to middle-market companies, delivering high-impact advisory support across Finance, Accounting, and HR. At Smith + Howard Advisory, you’ll collaborate with a highly experienced, supportive team while working on diverse, meaningful client engagements.

About us:
Smith + Howard Advisory is a dynamic business consulting and advisory firm that provides tailored solutions to emerging growth and middle-market companies. We specialize in Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, and Executive Search delivering interim, fractional, and project-based consulting resources. We help organizations navigate their most complex challenges and achieve sustainable success. We leverage the deep expertise of our national team to deliver practical, results-driven strategies.

Why Join Us?

As a Controller consultant, you'll enjoy:

• Work-Life Balance: Whether you prefer part-time or full-time project work, Fahrenheit is committed to ensuring a healthy work-life balance.
• Diverse Clientele: Engage in exciting projects with a variety of clients, gaining exposure to different industries and business models.
• Supportive Team: Work alongside a team of seasoned professionals who are dedicated to your success and growth.
• Professional Growth: Enhance your skills and knowledge while making a significant impact on our clients' businesses.

Key Responsibilities:

As a Controller consultant, you will partner with clients to deliver high-impact financial leadership, including:

• Lead and optimize monthly and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and proper documentation
• Oversee cash management and reporting, including daily, weekly, and monthly cash flow and forecasting
• Monitor and report on covenant compliance, borrowing base calculations, debt reporting, and liquidity risks
• Review and ensure accurate classification of income, expenses, and balance sheet accounts; oversee monthly account reconciliations
• Prepare and deliver monthly financial and operating reporting packages, including variance analysis and insights
• Establish, document, and enhance financial processes, systems, and controls to support informed decision-making
• Drive process improvement initiatives and support project planning and execution
• Oversee preparation and filing of monthly, quarterly, and annual tax filings
• Support mergers and acquisitions through financial due diligence, process documentation, project management, and post-acquisition integration
• Identify control gaps, process inefficiencies, and risks, and implement practical solutions to improve effectiveness and efficiency

Qualifications & Experience

The ideal candidate brings a strong consulting mindset and deep hands-on experience, including:

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including service as a Controller or similar role
• Proven experience acting as a consultant and trusted advisor to multiple clients in dynamic environments
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and the ability to analyze, interpret, and communicate financial data clearly
• Demonstrated ability to identify control issues and design scalable processes that mitigate risk and drive efficiency
• Excellent planning, organization, and time-management skills, with the ability to balance multiple engagements
• Results-oriented, entrepreneurial mindset with strong interpersonal and client-relationship skills
• Experience with middle-market accounting systems (e.g., QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar)
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel

Compensation:

$60 - $90 per hour

This role may be filled at the Director or Senior Director level. The range reflects the varying levels of experience, responsibility, and complexity associated with each level; compensation will align accordingly. Compensation is also adjusted based on geographic location and regional market rates.

Full-time W-2 employees are eligible for a benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, employer paid basic life and short-term disability plus additional ancillary plans such as voluntary life insurance, long-term disability, critical illness, cancer, and accident insurance. Part-time employees are eligible for critical illness, cancer and accident insurance. Full-time salaried W-2 employees are eligible for holiday pay, paid time off, and annual bonuses. Full-time hourly and part-time hourly W-2 employees are eligible for paid time off and annual bonuses.

If you are an independent consultant looking to collaborate with a high-caliber team, or a corporate Controller ready to transition into flexible, project-based consulting, Fahrenheit offers the opportunity to do challenging, meaningful work with a variety of clients while maintaining balance and autonomy.

Visit Smith + Howard | Tax, Accounting, Advisory + Assuranceto learn more about our firm, our people, and the work we do.