Controller

About the Company

Known is a contemporary marketing firm built for the modern demands and opportunities facing today’s marketers. With a team of more than 200 people, the company brings together data scientists, creative leaders, strategists, engineers, and research specialists to deliver innovative work at the intersection of creativity, science, strategy, and technology.

The organization has earned major industry recognition, including top rankings from Ad Age, and has been honored across categories such as data and insights, entertainment, sports, media innovation, and agency excellence. Its client base spans finance, technology, entertainment, media, consumer packaged goods, real estate, and additional industries.

Known describes its culture as one made up of curious problem-solvers who keep learning, keep improving, and aim to do better for clients, colleagues, and the wider world. The company operates with open U.S. offices, a largely hybrid environment, and a distributed workforce that includes remote team members.

Role Overview

The Controller will oversee the agency’s accounting function, with accountability for financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance with U.S. GAAP. Reporting to the SVP, Accounting & Finance, this leader will ensure that financial information is accurate, timely, and useful for business decisions.

This position is ideal for someone who sees accounting as a way to improve business performance. The role is expected to turn financial outcomes into practical insight, helping leadership understand results, spot emerging issues, and identify the drivers behind performance trends. The Controller will also be a trusted partner to senior leadership, earning confidence through consistent, accurate, and well-controlled accounting operations.

The role includes responsibility for improving the close cycle, accounting workflows, and supporting systems so the function becomes faster, more efficient, and better aligned with continued growth. Strong judgment is essential for deciding what needs attention first and where the accounting team can have the greatest impact.

Accounting Operations

• Direct core accounting activities such as the general ledger, revenue accounting, cost accounting, and the monthly close.
• Set and uphold accounting policies in line with U.S. GAAP.
• Make sure accounting processes can scale with the agency’s expansion and changing service lines.

Close and Reporting

• Take ownership of the monthly and quarterly close, including timelines, deliverables, and review steps.
• Protect balance sheet accuracy by closely reviewing reconciliations and account analyses.
• Prepare financial statements and management reporting that are accurate and delivered on time.
• Share financial results with senior leaders and other relevant financial stakeholders.

Revenue and Cost Accounting

• Oversee revenue recognition under ASC 606, including judgments around principal-versus-agent treatment.
• Ensure media and production costs are recorded correctly, including accruals, true-ups, rebates, credits, and vendor incentives.
• Work with Media and Operations teams to provide reporting on client and project profitability, including margin review and resource utilization.

Treasury and Cash Management

• Manage daily cash operations, including cash positioning, liquidity planning, and banking relationships.
• Maintain effective communication with banks and other external partners when needed.
• Oversee debt activity such as borrowings, repayments, covenant compliance, debt reporting, covenant calculations, and lender reporting requirements.
• Support cash forecasting and liquidity planning in partnership with the SVP, Accounting & Finance and the Head of FP&A.

Controls and Compliance

• Build and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting.
• Act as the main contact for external auditors and lead the audit process.
• Ensure the accounting function remains aligned with applicable standards and regulatory requirements.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Increase the speed, consistency, and reliability of the close process.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work and streamline accounting operations.
• Partner with finance and technology teams on ERP, billing, and media system improvements to keep data accurate and consistent across platforms.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop the accounting team by defining clear responsibilities and expectations.
• Create a disciplined, accountable environment centered on accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement.
• Strengthen trust and credibility through dependable execution and clear communication with the team, the broader business, and executive leadership.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Background in media, marketing, or advertising is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required, along with a CPA.
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP and ASC 606.
• Experience with ERP systems such as NetSuite and industry tools such as Mediaocean/Prisma and Bill.com.
• Awareness of how AI is increasingly used in financial operations and familiarity with sound usage practices.
• Proven ability to improve the close, reinforce controls, and modernize accounting workflows.
• Ability to connect financial outcomes to operational drivers and explain the implications clearly.
• Strong communication skills for both finance and non-finance audiences.
• Experience building productive partnerships with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.

Perks and Benefits

• Unlimited paid time off.
• 401(k) with company match and no vesting period.
• Annual bonuses.
• Comprehensive medical coverage.
• Paid parental leave.

Culture and Equal Opportunity

Known’s culture is built around four guiding values: working as one team, recognizing the good, never stopping learning, and always looking for a better way. The company aims to build a legacy with people from a wide range of backgrounds and encourages team members to bring their full selves to work while helping shape the culture through shared values.

Known is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, disability, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law.

Compensation

The base salary for this role is $175,000 to $200,000. The position is also eligible for additional Known benefits.

Application Notes

Application form fields include first name, last name, email, phone, and country.