Controller

Job Title: Controller Location: San José, Costa Rica (Hybrid) Type of Contract: Full-Time, Permanent Salary Range: Up to $4,000 USD/monthly Language Requirements: Full Professional Proficiency in English and Spanish (Required)
We are seeking a skilled Controller with expertise in full-cycle accounting, financial operations, and system transitions to join our growing team. You will play a key role in leading all finance functions for our Costa Rica operations, overseeing reporting, compliance, process development, and financial controls within a private equity-backed organization. Your work will directly impact operational scalability, financial accuracy, and the successful modernization of the company's finance infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
Own the full monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close process, ensuring rapid and accurate financial reporting to the US-based CFO and leadership team.Manage all day-to-day finance operations, including Accounts Payable (AP), Accounts Receivable (AR), invoicing, payroll oversight, cash management, reconciliations, and general ledger activities.Lead the migration of financial operations from QuickBooks to Foundations, ensuring a smooth transition, accurate data conversion, and adoption of best practices.Develop, implement, and formalize accounting policies, financial controls, and scalable finance processes to support continued business growth.Prepare financial statements in accordance with NIIF (IFRS), local regulatory requirements, and corporate reporting standards.Manage Costa Rican tax compliance, including corporate income tax, IVA filings, payroll remittances, CCSS contributions, and statutory reporting obligations.Partner with Human Resources and operational leaders to support payroll accuracy, workforce cost tracking, budgeting, forecasting, and headcount planning.
Must-Have Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.Full professional fluency in both English and Spanish, with the ability to communicate effectively with US-based leadership and local stakeholders.4–6 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including at least 1 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting leadership role.Demonstrated experience managing full-cycle accounting operations, including AP, AR, payroll oversight, invoicing, reconciliations, and month-end close.Experience leading or supporting ERP/accounting system implementations, migrations, or finance system transitions.Strong knowledge of NIIF (IFRS), Costa Rican tax regulations, financial reporting, and compliance requirements.Advanced Excel skills and experience working with accounting and financial management systems.
Preferred Qualifications
CPA, Contador Público Autorizado (CPA Costa Rica), or equivalent accounting designation.Experience within a private equity-backed company environment.Background in construction, field services, infrastructure, testing services, or other project-based industries.Experience with multi-entity accounting and intercompany transactions.Familiarity with Foundations, Sage, Viewpoint, Procore, or similar ERP/accounting platforms.Exposure to acquisition integrations, financial due diligence, or post-acquisition finance activities.Experience building finance functions, controls, and reporting structures in growing organizations.
Key Competencies
Hands-on leader who is comfortable owning both strategic and operational finance responsibilities.Strong process-builder with the ability to establish structure, controls, and efficiencies in a growing business.Detail-oriented with a proven track record of delivering accurate and timely financial reporting.Excellent communicator capable of collaborating across finance, HR, operations, and executive leadership teams.Self-motivated and capable of operating independently while managing multiple priorities.Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving private equity-backed environment.