Contractor Financial Controller

Real opportunities. Real impact. Your career, redefined.

(NOTE: A human reviews every application at Oceans, so please apply for only one position and only once a year—if you're a better fit for another role, we’ll route your application accordingly and if we’re not quite ready for you, we’ll reach back out later).At Oceans, we help the best and brightest of Sri Lanka to take advantage of opportunities that otherwise wouldn’t be available to them, while supporting entrepreneurs around the world. Our community (we call them Divers) don’t do surface work—they go deep to solve complex challenges and make a real impact. And in doing so, they support bold ideas and expand their skills, broaden their expertise, and grow their careers, all without having to leave family and friends.

Role Overview

We are seeking a hands-on and growth-oriented Financial Controller to manage day-to-day accounting operations, payroll processing, compliance tracking, and financial reporting. This role will start with a strong focus on transactional tasks and evolve into a strategic finance leadership position as the business scales.

Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Own the full cycle of bookkeeping, including accounts payable and receivable, bank and credit card reconciliations, and general ledger maintenance.
• Manage vendor payments and expense categorization, working closely with restaurant managers and the construction lead.
• Prepare and post month-end journal entries; manage accruals and deferrals.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly and quarterly P&L statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports for internal stakeholders and external partners (banks, lenders, franchisors).
• Develop and maintain reporting dashboards and weekly summaries to support agile operational decisions.
• Assist in building financial models to project revenue, costs, and EBITDA by location and phase of growth.

Payroll Administration

• Manage weekly payroll processing using ADP (or similar systems) for all hourly employees across multiple store locations and states.
• Ensure timely and accurate onboarding of new hires by processing employment documentation and ensuring payroll readiness.
• Administer basic HR-related payroll functions such as reimbursements, garnishments (e.g., child support), and tax withholdings.

Tax & Regulatory Compliance

• Maintain compliance across multiple US states related to: Sales tax, Workers' compensation, Insurance and payroll filings
• Track filing deadlines and coordinate with external advisors to ensure timely submissions and reporting.

Operational Support & Systems Development

• Serve as the internal finance point of contact for store managers across the growing restaurant network.
• Implement and improve workflows and SOPs across accounting, payroll, and compliance areas.
• Play a key role in migrating away from external CPA dependency to a fully internalized offshore finance function.

Colleagues

Your primary stakeholder will be your high-performing client team that values speed, clarity, and purpose. You’ll collaborate closely with other members of the marketing team and work with other stakeholders as required.

At Oceans, you’ll also receive guidance and support from your Operations Manager, who will help you succeed in the role and ensure that you’re continuously growing and developing in your career.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Experience in accounting or finance roles, with at least 2+ years in a controller or senior accountant capacity.
• Professional accounting qualification (CA, CIMA, ACCA, or equivalent).
• Proficient in QuickBooks (or similar accounting software) and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong understanding of general accounting principles and monthly close processes.

Key Skills

• Attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Excellent time management; able to meet weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting deadlines.
• Familiarity with multi-state compliance regulations (or willingness to research and adapt).
• Clear, effective communicator able to work with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Self-starter attitude with a proactive, ownership mindset.

Nice to Have

• Experience working with ADP, Gusto, or other US-based payroll platforms.
• Exposure to US GAAP, multi-entity accounting, and intercompany reconciliation.
• Prior experience supporting a US-based restaurant or retail business.
• Familiarity with franchise reporting requirements.
• Experience with dashboarding tools or building operational financial summaries.

Role Specifications

• This is a remote role, where you will be expected to work a split shift with some overlap with our client’s time zone.
• You will, however, be expected to be present for in-person training programs during your first 90 days with us.

About Oceans

At Oceans, we build remote teams that connect the world’s top 1% of talent with visionary leaders. With us, you’re not just doing a job—you’re redefining your career with opportunities designed to unlock your potential. We welcome the chance to discuss the complementary parts of our business during your interview process and encourage questions about where we are and where we are going.

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