Fund Controller — Greater Los Angeles, California | Pacific Executive Search

Fund Controller

(Job ID: 1915)

Greater Los Angeles, California

Hybrid

Direct Hire

Fin Serv - Venture Ca

$200,000 – $220,000 base

Apply Now

Overview

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Fund Controller to join a dynamic finance team within a leading private equity firm. This role is pivotal in overseeing fund accounting and financial reporting, directly impacting investment strategies and portfolio performance. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative and innovative environment, with opportunities for professional growth and development through mentorship and continuous learning. Join us in fostering a culture of excellence and integrity, where your contributions will be valued and recognized.

Responsibilities

Oversee all aspects of fund accounting for assigned funds, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance with regulatory standards.
Prepare quarterly NAV calculations and financial statements, including investment schedules and partner equity allocations, to support strategic decision-making.
Analyze complex investment transactions to ensure precise reporting and compliance with U.S. GAAP, particularly ASC 946 Investment Company guidance.
Manage the financial close processes on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, driving efficiency and accuracy.
Actively collaborate with the Fund Administrator and serve as the primary liaison during audits, ensuring timely and professional responses to requests.
Monitor fund cash balances and manage capital call and distribution processes, optimizing fund operations.
Lead process improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and support ad hoc projects related to fundraising and investor relations.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
At least 7 years of relevant experience in fund accounting or financial reporting.
Big 4 public accounting experience strongly preferred.
CPA designation highly preferred.
Deep understanding of U.S. GAAP, particularly ASC 946 Investment Company guidance.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with high attention to detail.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook).
Nice-to-Have:
Experience with ERP systems such as SAP or NetSuite.
Familiarity with capital markets and private equity fund structures.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Accounting Manager hires fail?
Because companies hire for close execution when the real need is issue ownership and team leadership. Many candidates can manage a checklist. Far fewer can stabilize the function under pressure, improve weak processes, coach staff, and hold the line during audit, turnover, or reporting stress.
What are strong Accounting Manager candidates evaluating during the interview process?
They are usually trying to understand whether they are walking into a stable environment, a cleanup situation, or an under-resourced function. Strong candidates do not just evaluate title and compensation. They assess whether success is realistically achievable and whether leadership understands what the accounting team actually needs.
Why are finance and accounting roles in private equity-backed companies different?
Because the expectations are usually sharper. These environments often involve more pace, more visibility, more accountability, and more change than slower-moving businesses. Candidates are often expected to produce cleaner reporting, better discipline, and faster adaptation while operating under leadership that is highly focused on results. Pacific Executive Search's private equity insights explain why these environments require more specialized hiring.
Why does ERP experience matter so much in roles like this?
Because many accounting and finance roles are really process-and-systems roles disguised as job titles. A candidate may know the accounting, but if they cannot operate effectively inside the company's environment, ramp time becomes risk. Exact system match is not always mandatory, but comparable complexity often is.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.
Is the CPA really required for roles like this?
Sometimes yes, and often functionally yes even when the posting says "preferred." At leadership levels especially, the CPA frequently acts as a credibility signal for hiring managers, auditors, lenders, investors, or boards. There are exceptions, but in many accounting searches it remains one of the clearest markers of technical foundation.

Fund Controller

Overview

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Insights

Top Finance Recruiting Firms in Los Angeles

Project Accountant Jobs in Los Angeles

Finance & Accounting Recruiting Los Angeles