For more information on the position and/or to apply, please contact Dennis Beard at dennis@serraventures.com or Tim Hoerr at tim@serraventures.com.

Serra Ventures is a venture capital firm focused on early-stage growth companies. We are attracted to companies that have deep technology which solves industry specific problems. Serra was initially founded to support innovation in the Midwest because we recognized that while many world changing technologies were being invented near Midwest research universities, there was a lack of venture capital to commercialize these technologies. As our world continues to change, we believe that great, innovative teams can succeed anywhere. Over the last 15 years we have invested in over 110 companies in 22 states and Canada with over 150 other venture capital firms. Serra also operates an advisory services division that focuses primarily on sell-side mergers and acquisitions for small to medium-sized companies.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Controller will direct and oversee the financial activities of the management company and over 20 other investment vehicles including limited partnerships, general partnerships, and special purpose entities, direct the preparation of current financial reports and summaries, and facilitate reporting to limited partners and other key stakeholders. The Controller will be responsible for internal controls, risk management and financial process improvement across the organization. In addition, the Controller will provide support to the Managing Partners in determining and implementing the Company’s financial and strategic plans.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leadership
  • Active contributor and member of the Serra Ventures Team
  • Lead the effort for financial reporting to over 280 investors in Serra’s various investment entities
  • Lead the effort of obtaining timely and satisfactory financial audits by outside auditors
  • Manage the tax preparation process for all entities with the outside accountants
  • Manage and liaise with regulators, government departments, banks, external auditors and advisors as required.
  • Create and maintain a working environment consistent with Company values.
• Financial Planning and Reporting
  • Direct the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, investor reports, tax returns, and governmental reports.
  • Assist the Managing Partners in preparing a comprehensive annual budget. Ensure that the Company operates a robust budgeting process.
  • Compare revenue and profit projections to actual figures and budgeted expenses to actual expenses; make or oversee any necessary adjustments to future projections and budgets.
  • Analyze operations to identify processes in need of reorganization or elimination.
  • Work with the CEO and other managing partners to coordinate planning and establish priorities for the planning process.
  • Study long-range economic trends and project their impact on future growth.
  • Evaluate opportunities for expansion into new service areas.
  • Track investment of funds and work with CEO in fund raising as required.
  • Prepare partner meeting finance materials.
• Risk Management and Internal Controls
  • Identify and evaluate risks to the Company’s property, finances and goodwill.
  • Ensure that the Company complies with all legislation covering corporate financial controls, and the development of accounting policies and procedures with regard to accounting capital, debt, taxation, equity, acquisitions and disposals as required.
  • Take responsibility for cash management and treasury.
  • Approve expenditures within the authority delegated by the CEO.

SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the goals of the Company.

• Set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance the Company’s effectiveness.

• Have a tolerance for appropriate risk-taking and ability to deal with ambiguity

• “Figure it out” skills

• Bias for execution

• Ability to understand new issues quickly and make wise decisions

• Ability to inspire confidence and create trust

• Ability to work under pressure, plan personal workload and delegate effectively

• Ability to optimize team performance and development

• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to engage and manage relations with limited partners, vendors, colleagues and other team members

• Strong communication skills: Quality, brevity, clarity

• Balance between an ability to critically review and yet maintain a positive mindset

EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience as Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, finance officer or relevant role

• Has 4-8 years of accounting and financial Leadership experience,

• Has experienced typical “core” accounting functions such as financial statements, cost accounting, payroll, AR/AP, FP&A, controls, and treasury management.

• Has strong spreadsheet/financial modeling skills.

• Has some knowledge of corporate financial law and risk management practices

• Has some knowledge of data analysis and forecasting methods

• Is comfortable communicating orally and in writing with investors and C-level managers at portfolio companies

• BSc/BA in Accounting, Finance or relevant field; MSc/MBA and CPA is a strong advantage