Controller

STARCH CREATIVE: Better Brand Experiences, Made Together.

Starch is a full-service experiential design agency and fabrication company based in Irvine, CA. We create culturally resonant experiences for the fans of the brands we love, led by a team of innovative thinkers, builders, strategists, designers, and producers united by a shared love for creating. From the big picture to the finest detail, we manage ideas from concept to completion.

We are hiring people who are motivated, self-driven, and collaborative, and who work just as well independently. We hope you're inspired to learn more.

Controller
Location: Irvine, CA, in our new state-of-the-art corporate headquarters

Schedule: Hybrid, three days per week onsite

Compensation: Base pay of $120,000 to $150,000 per year, DOQ
Team: Leads two experienced accounting staff

What You Will Accomplish

As Controller, you will lead accounting and financial reporting across both Starch Creative and Starch Fabrication. You will own the monthly close, divisional reporting, cash flow, and project accounting, giving leadership clear, reliable information for business decisions. This is a hands-on role for someone equally comfortable in the details and in the bigger financial picture.

How You Will Be Successful

• Own financial reporting and close: Manage KPIs, monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, and deliver
  accurate P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reporting company-wide and by division.
• Report by division: Oversee shared expenses, cost allocations, and reconciliations so Starch Creative
  and Starch Fabrication results are accurate and comparable.
• Lead project and job-cost accounting: Manage revenue recognition, job costing, project profitability,
  deposits, and progress billings.
• Oversee AP, AR, and cash flow: Ensure accurate vendor payments, client invoicing, collections, cash
  management, and visibility into upcoming obligations.
• Drive budgeting and forecasting: Lead annual budgets, cash flow forecasts, and budget-to-actual
  reporting with clear explanations of significant variances.
• Own the annual audit and outside relationships: Serve as primary contact for our outside
  accountants, tax advisors, and insurance partners, and manage the annual audit from preparation
  through completion.
• Maintain strong controls and improve process: Keep reconciliations, journal entries, accruals, payroll
  accounting, and balance sheet accounts accurate while strengthening workflows for efficiency and
  scale. Handle sensitive financial information with discretion.
• Lead and develop the team: Manage, coach, and develop two experienced accounting staff.

• Partner with leadership: Translate results into insight on profitability, margins, trends, risks, and cost- saving opportunities.

Skills for Success
Experience:
10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including prior service as an Assistant Controller, Controller, Finance Manager, or similar. Experience managing an annual audit and leading a small team is required.

Education and Credentials:
Four-year bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field. Active CPA license required.

Location:
Based full-time out of our Irvine headquarters on a hybrid schedule, three days per week onsite. Candidates should reside within a reasonable commute of the office.

What you already know:
GAAP, financial reporting, revenue recognition, job costing, cash flow, AP/AR, payroll accounting, and budgeting and forecasting. Experience in project-based or job-cost businesses is strongly preferred. Proficiency with QuickBooks Online and Excel/Google Sheets.

What we will teach you:
Our internal systems, project workflows, and how Starch Creative and Starch Fabrication work together to move projects from creative concept through fabrication and execution.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Starch is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion or religious creed, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy or related conditions, reproductive health decision-making, marital or familial status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the California Fair Chance Act, we will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities and for sincerely held religious beliefs and practices.

The salary range listed above reflects the base pay Starch reasonably expects to pay for this position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will depend on qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.