Controllers aren’t one-size-fits-all. While the title may sound uniform, the role itself can vary as much as the organizations they serve. At Risch Results, our Senior Director of Recruiting, Nicole Stasick, has earned the title of “The Controller Whisperer” because of her unmatched ability to navigate these nuances and find the right accounting and finance leader for our diverse clients.
Finding the right controller often means overcoming hurdles like navigating a tight budget, sourcing talent in locations with a small pool of candidates, identifying professionals with the right industry experience, ensuring cultural fit, and securing strong leadership abilities. Here’s how we tackle these challenges to find the perfect match…
Compensation: Balancing Budget and Expertise
Nonprofits and small organizations often have to stretch their budgets to attract experienced candidates. We bridge this gap by emphasizing the organization’s mission as well as growth opportunities and other unique benefits.
We worked with a nonprofit organization that supported children with developmental differences. We connected them with a candidate who was inspired by the organization’s incredible impact, aligned with their compensation range, had grant management experience and was excited about the added benefit of half-day Fridays.
Location: Flexibility and Accessibility
The majority of our clients require local candidates for 100% on-site roles. We also discuss potential relocation with clients in areas with a smaller talent pool.
We partnered with a client in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, to fill a critical Controller position. To expand the search, we looked to Spokane, Washington—a neighboring city just across the border with a larger population—and successfully identified the perfect candidate.
Title: Defining the Role Clearly
The title “controller” can mean different things to different organizations. Some expect strategic leadership, while others need a hands-on approach. We ensure alignment between expectations and reality.
A mid-market company was unsure if it needed a controller or a director of accounting. We clarified the responsibilities and sourced a controller with strategic leadership skills to manage financial strategy and reporting.
Education: Ensuring a Strong Foundation
For some roles, advanced degrees, certificates or specific educational backgrounds are essential. Others prioritize practical experience over formal education.
An insurance industry client required a controller who was a CPA and had public accounting experience. We found a candidate who met the CPA requirement and had started their career as an auditor in Big Four accounting.
Experience: Tailored to the Industry
Every industry has unique demands, from cost accounting in manufacturing to donor fund management in nonprofits. We match controllers with the right experience to hit the ground running.
A manufacturing client needed a controller to manage cost accounting and optimize production metrics. We placed a candidate with deep manufacturing expertise and a track record of process improvement.
At Risch Results, we take the time to understand your unique challenges and needs to find the accounting leadership who will make an immediate and lasting impact.
