VP, Financial Controller - SESAC (Nashville)

SESAC is seeking a VP, Financial Controller to join our team in Nashville. In this position you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of the company’s accounting and financial reporting. This includes managing a multi-entity general ledger, overseeing the monthly close and management reporting, quarterly and annual financial statements, monitoring cash flow, and overseeing revenues, royalties and payroll processes. The role also involves developing and maintaining internal controls, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax regulations, and company policies. As the Controller you will collaborate closely with leadership and operations teams to analyze financial performance, provide decision-support reporting, and recommend process improvements that enhance transparency and efficiency. This position includes supervising and mentoring accounting staff, coordinating with external auditors, and helping drive disciplined financial management across the organization. You will also serve as a tactical and operational partner to department leadership.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Overseeing the SESAC accounting team and ensuring accurate and timely dissemination of financial management reports including, but not limited to, internal and external monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and annual audits/budgets.
• Establishing, maintaining and enhancing financial systems and controls that verify the integrity of all procedures, processes and data, including balance-sheet reconciliations, accrual completeness, variance analysis, etc.
• Overseeing revenue and royalty accounting, including revenue accruals, accounts receivable (aging, billings and cash application), bad debt, prepaid royalties, etc.
• Delivering management reports and analytics to Department Leadership and acting as a strategic partner by, responding to requests with accurate, timely work.
• Supporting the drafting and review of the annual financial statements, including oversight of group reporting packages from subsidiary finance teams for consolidation, intercompany settlements, etc. under US GAAP.
• Providing inspirational people leadership. Setting clear goals, delivering honest and constructive feedback, and taking an active role in developing talent at every level. Leading with empathy and high standards — holding the team accountable while championing their growth, well-being, and long-term success.
• Actively modeling and reinforcing a respectful, collaborative, and congenial workplace culture. Assuming positive intent, and holding yourself and the team to a standard of professional courtesy and mutual respect across all interactions.
• Evaluating the accounting team structure and existing processes for continual improvement in efficiency and effectiveness.
• Partnering with FP&A and business leadership on the annual budget and periodic forecast cycles, providing accounting input on assumptions, accruals, and variance drivers.
• Reviewing technical accounting memos, concluding on accounting positions, proposing the resulting journal entries, and presenting and defending conclusions with the external auditors.
• Assessing and leading adoption of new accounting standards as needed.
• Integrating and standardizing finance functions of entities acquired in a business combination.
• Owning and managing the relationship with the external auditors.

What Makes You Qualified:

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, business administration or equivalent experience.
• CPA required; MBA preferred.
• 5+ years' public accounting experience.
• 3+ years’ experience leading a team as a Financial Controller or Assistant Controller (or equivalent), including multi-entity and/or international consolidation experience.
• Strong experience of financial accounting, reporting, and general ledger management, consolidation of foreign entities, the differences between US GAAP and International GAAP (IFRS / local GAAP), and accounting for holding companies and multi-entity structures.
• Deep knowledge of financial statements under the US GAAP, including experience with revenue under ASC 606, complex debt accounting, business combination, leases, divestitures, etc. Experience with financial statements drafting preferred.
• Brings a global mindset and the interpersonal range to lead effectively across diverse teams, locations, cultures, and stakeholders.
• Ability to design, implement, and maintain effective internal controls, policies, and procedures for safeguarding company assets.
• Working knowledge of tax withholding compliance, regulatory reporting, and coordination with external auditors and financial institutions.
• Strong soft skills to lead and develop the finance team and collaborate cross functionally, with strong interpersonal skills and an ability to build relationships with colleagues at all levels.
• Self-starter with excellent verbal and written communication skills, and a problem solver who anticipates next steps and questions.
• Strong quantitative skillset and expert Excel user; hands-on with close and reporting systems (Oracle, ADP, Tipalti, Bill.com).
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong ethical conduct and an ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Demonstrated ability to quickly learn, adapt to, and embrace new technologies, with a track record of applying emerging tools and platforms to improve efficiency and drive results.
• Analytical thinker who thrives in a team environment, balancing independent problem-solving with a collaborative approach to reach effective outcomes.

This is a hybrid role that will require you to commute to our Nashville office a minimum of three days a week.