About This Role
Who We Are
Frak Finance provides outsourced accounting, fractional CFO advisory, and M&A support for growing businesses. We help owners, operators, and investors get clean, reliable financials so they can run and grow with confidence.
This role will support a venture-backed technology company in Chicago. It is preparing to go to market and is under new leadership. The company is rebuilding its finance function and needs a hands-on Controller to lead that work in person.
About the Role
We are hiring an experienced Fractional Controller (CPA required) to establish financial integrity, controls, and audit readiness at a company where those foundations are not yet in place.
This is not a maintenance role. You will step into a high-visibility seat during a period of change. The work includes reviewing and cleaning up historical books, setting accounting policies, and building the controls the business has been missing. You will work alongside a Fractional CFO, company leadership, legal counsel, and the board.
This role requires on-site presence in Chicago, especially during the first several weeks. The team needs a finance leader they can see, trust, and work with directly.
Responsibilities
Books, Records & Historical Cleanup
- Review the general ledger, account classifications, and supporting documentation
- Lead the review and reclassification of historical transactions, in coordination with legal counsel where needed
- Document the basis for material adjustments so the record holds up to investor and audit review
- Build and maintain a clear record of historical spending by account and source
Accounting Policies & Controls
- Establish accounting policies under GAAP, including revenue recognition ahead of go-to-market
- Put approval and review controls in place over spending, AP, and AR
- Build segregation of duties into a function that has relied on one person
- Own and improve the month-end close process
Audit Readiness
- Prepare reconciliations, schedules, and documentation to support a future audit or review
- Coordinate with external tax and audit firms
- Respond to information requests from investors, auditors, and advisors
Team & Operations
- Assess current finance staff and recommend how roles should be structured
- Help hire and oversee a full-time bookkeeper or AP/AR clerk
- Help manage vendor payment priorities during a period of tight cash, with leadership support
- Create SOPs so the function is not person-dependent
What We’re Looking For
- CPA required, active license
- Prior public accounting experience (audit or tax) strongly preferred
- Controller-level experience in a venture-backed, high-growth, or restructuring environment
- Experience with historical cleanups, reclassifications, or audit preparation
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, including revenue recognition for software or subscription models
- Based in the Chicago area and able to work on-site in River North
- Calm, steady judgment under pressure
Nice to Have
- Experience in turnaround, restructuring, or post-leadership-change situations
- Experience working alongside legal counsel on financial matters
- Experience supporting fundraising or investor reporting
- Experience building a finance function from the ground up
Professional & Collaboration Expectations
- Strong executive-level written and verbal communication
- High discretion with sensitive financial and legal information
- Comfortable being the finance point of contact for leadership, vendors, and investors
- Builds trust with a team that needs stability
- Flags issues early and brings practical fixes, not just observations
- Able to work independently while staying closely connected with the Fractional CFO and leadership
If you’re a hands-on finance leader who enjoys building something solid from the ground up, we’d love to hear from you!