Controller

Position Summary

Lone Star PEO is a Texas based, growth-focused Professional Employer Organization seeking an experienced Controller to serve as a key financial leader and trusted advisor to executive management. In office is preferred but remote candidates will also be considered. This highly visible leadership role serves as the financial steward of the organization, overseeing all accounting operations, ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, and providing strategic financial guidance that supports informed decision-making, operational excellence, and sustainable growth.

In the PEO environment, this role carries responsibility for the financial oversight of complex payroll operations, client-related liabilities, benefits accounting, workers’ compensation accounting, payroll tax compliance, and regulatory reporting. The Controller will work closely with executive leadership to evaluate financial performance, strengthen internal controls, improve operational efficiencies, and guide budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial strategy.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, possesses exceptional analytical and problem-solving skills, and has a deep understanding of accounting principles, payroll tax regulations, and the financial complexities unique to the PEO industry.

Essential Responsibilities

Financial Leadership

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and financial reporting.
• Direct the month-end and year-end close process and ensure timely, accurate financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, financial models, and cash flow projections.
• Provide executive leadership with financial analysis and recommendations to support strategic initiatives.
• Oversee payroll funding and cash management to ensure timely payroll processing.
• Manage multi-state payroll tax liabilities, deposits, reconciliations, and regulatory reporting.
• Ensure accurate accounting for client payroll, administrative fees, benefits, workers’ compensation, and employer tax obligations.
• Review client profitability and financial performance.
• Oversee client billing, funding reconciliations, and premium collections.
• Monitor financial performance across multiple client entities while maintaining strict fiduciary controls.
• Maintain compliance with all federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Oversee payroll tax compliance and agency reporting.
• Support and maintain compliance with ESAC accreditation standards and financial reporting requirements.
• Coordinate annual financial and other regulatory audits, tax filings, and banking relationships.
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls and accounting policies.
• Ensure compliance with all banking covenants and financial reporting obligations.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes through automation and continuous improvement.
• Collaborate across departments to improve operational efficiency and financial visibility.
• Develop departmental KPIs and performance metrics.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting leadership experience.
• Experience within a Professional Employer Organization (PEO), payroll services, staffing, or outsourced HR environment strongly preferred.
• Prism HRIS and Master Tax experience preferred.
• Experience with ESAC compliance, payroll tax administration, and multi-state payroll accounting preferred.
• Previous Controller or Assistant Controller experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, payroll tax regulations, payroll funding, and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel and ERP/accounting system proficiency.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and analytical skills.
• PEO Financial Operations.
• Compliance & Risk Management.
• Leadership and Process Improvement.

Benefits

• Paid Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and Teladoc
• 401(k) match up to 6%
• One week PTO after 90 days of employment

Qualifications

Mental and Physical Demands

General office and sedentary. Regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Walking, standing, stooping, bending, pulling, and pushing; occasional: lifting/carrying, pulling/pushing up to 30 pounds.

Maintain emotional control under stress, work with interruptions and deadlines. May work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

Environmental Factors

May be exposed to biological hazards (communicable diseases, bacteria, insects, mold, fungi, etc.). Occasional exposure to weather related conditions when working in an outdoor environment.

Lone Star PEO maintains a smoke-free, vape free, and tobacco-free workplace in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Disclaimer(s)

This is not necessarily an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, efforts, requirements or working conditions. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. Nothing in this job description forms or is intended to form a contract of employment. Neither shall the content in this job description be interpreted to conflict with, or to eliminate or modify in any way, the “at- will” employment status of employees at Lone Star PEO. Employment remains on an “at-will” basis.

ADA/ADAAA Statement

Lone Star PEO’s policy is to provide reasonable accommodations in employment to qualified individuals with disabilities so they can perform the essential functions of the job unless the accommodation imposes an undue hardship on the business or would change the essential functions of the position. Individuals with any questions or requests for accommodation should contact the Human Resources Department.

EEO/AAP Statement

Lone Star PEO is an equal opportunity employer. We aim to create a professional environment where employees feel comfortable, safe, and free from unlawful conduct. All employment decisions are made in accordance with applicable laws and are made without regard to any category or characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law.