Controller

Controller

B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. | Los Angeles, CA | Arlington, VA | Remote

Los Angeles HQ: 11100 Santa Monica Blvd, Suite 800, Los Angeles, CA 90025

Compensation: Competitive base salary + quarterly bonus

POSITION SUMMARY

B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. (BRSH) is a FINRA-registered broker-dealer holding company and subsidiary of BRC Group Holdings (RILY). We are looking for a technically sharp, operationally minded Controller to serve as the cornerstone of our accounting function. This is a high-visibility, high-impact role for a senior accounting professional who thrives in a fast-moving environment and wants to be part of building something — not just maintaining it.

Reporting directly to the CFO, the Controller owns the general ledger, the monthly close, all internal and regulatory financial reporting, and the development of a growing accounting team. This role sits at the intersection of technical accounting, broker-dealer regulation, and cross-functional partnership.  As the firm continues to evaluate its organizational structure and affiliated business lines, the Controller will be well-positioned to grow with the firm and take on expanded responsibilities over time.  This role requires someone who can operate with precision, exercise sound judgment, and communicate clearly across the organization. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

General Ledger & Month-End Close 

• Own the monthly close calendar from Day 1 through sign-off; manage close task lists and milestone tracking across the team 

• Confirm reversal of prior month accruals; approve and post all recurring and non-recurring journal entries in NetSuite 

• Prepare and review the accrued expense analysis; book vendor, legal, payroll, and AP accruals at period-end 

• Reconcile and maintain the prepaid expense schedule; reclassify prepaid amortization monthly 

• Record intangible asset amortization; update amortization schedules and tie to the general ledger 

• Maintain the deferred revenue schedule; monitor deal status updates and approve revenue recognition entries as milestones are achieved 

• Record deferred rent and right-of-use asset entries; maintain supporting lease schedules 

• Monitor and clear the intercompany script account (890010); ensure zero balance at period close 

• Manage intercompany allocations, wires, and entries with parent and affiliated entities (BRSH, BRS, BRC) 

• Review and approve all AP invoice entries; manage AP period open/close cycle and confirm reclassifications are complete 

• Run and tie out the AP trial balance; resolve outstanding items with the accounts payable function 

Revenue Accounting — Investment Banking 

• Create and maintain deal sheets for each IB underwriting transaction based on prospectus, engagement letters, closing documents, and NFS syndicate account activity 

• Record IB revenue and related receivables in NetSuite; obtain business unit sign-off on revenue recognition timing 

• Manage the IB accounts receivable schedule; track retainer fee invoices, deferred revenue, and collection status 

• Process co-manager OOP expense settlements: gather invoices, obtain approval, record in NetSuite, and initiate AP payment 

• Prepare and distribute settlement letters; send to co-managers and manage 90-day payment deadlines 

• Record ATM program revenues and payables; reconcile ATM activity reports monthly 

• Track M&A and advisory deal revenues; record G/L entries upon confirmation of closing documentation 

• Monitor deferred deal expenses; reclassify to recognized expense as associated revenue is booked 

• Calculate net capital requirements for IB underwriting transactions; report haircut impacts to CFO 

• Maintain the IB revenue deal sheet tied to NetSuite; distribute monthly revenue summary to CFO and CEO 

Commission Revenue Reconciliation — Institutional Sales & Trading 

• Reconcile secondary commission revenue to Xtiva replication files and NFS clearing statements each month 

• Run commission reports (primary and secondary), trade-date analysis, and as-of-trade adjustments; resolve discrepancies promptly 

• Manage the CSA (Commission Sharing Agreement) schedule: receive final CSA amounts, approve fund transfers, monitor bank activity, and approve CSA payments to counterparties 

• Reconcile NFS accounts (syndicate, cash, and investment accounts); create roll-forward reconciliations and post NetSuite entries 

• Process ATM commission reductions; update related schedules and notify business leads 

• Manage commission rebate invoices for introducing broker relationships; send invoices to counterparties and obtain approval before payment processing 

• Maintain the manual commission receivable schedule; review and route to business unit heads for approval 

Payroll Processing & Compensation Accruals 

• Process regular salary and commission payroll runs; analyze all payroll lines for accuracy, completeness, and proper GL coding 

• Export the payroll general ledger report; build a pivot summary and reconcile to the payroll bank account 

• Upload finalized payroll journal entries to NetSuite; reconcile the payroll bank reconciliation 

• Prepare the payroll accrual at period-end based on the most recent payroll run; create the reversing accrual for the following period 

• Maintain accrued bonus and commission schedules; update for payments processed and reconcile balances to NetSuite 

• Book primary and secondary compensation accruals; obtain accrual inputs from business unit heads and reconcile to approved compensation pools 

• Prepare commission detail by person and type for each commission payroll run; distribute to relevant parties for review 

• Track and record employee loans: monitor interest accrual, record payments, and maintain employee receivable schedule 

Bank & Clearing Account Reconciliations 

• Review and approve all bank reconciliations monthly: BONY operating, BONY CSA, BONY DTCC, BONY payroll, and other custodian accounts 

• Monitor daily bank activity; approve daily cash receipt entries from accounting staff 

• Reconcile the NFS main account and all sub-accounts; create roll-forward reconciliations and post NetSuite entries for positions, P&L, transfers, and as-of trades 

• Review and approve the Pershing sundry account reconciliation and corresponding entries 

• Reconcile DTCC participant fund balance; obtain and process DTCC billing invoices 

• Obtain and approve reconciliations for other clearing accounts; review activity and post corresponding entries 

• Confirm all cash receipts are entered; reclassify negative NFS balances to the AP payable account 

• Review outstanding checks for void and reissue as warranted 

Regulatory Reporting — FOCUS & Net Capital 

• Prepare and file the monthly FOCUS Report (FINRA Form X-17A-5) for BRS on the FINRA Gateway by business day 17 

• Update FOCUS income statement and balance sheet summary schedules; calculate security haircuts for net capital compliance under SEC Rule 15c3-1 

• Obtain CFO approval on the FOCUS Report prior to FINRA filing; distribute to compliance and designated counterparties 

• Prepare and file the monthly leverage report; review with CFO and file on FINRA Gateway 

• Maintain FOCUS Report packages with supporting reconciliations; ensure consistency with the NetSuite trial balance 

• Monitor the market blockage report: update positions, buy volume, total trade volume, and calculate haircut charges per clearing firm data 

• Review contractual commitments at month-end; track open underwriting positions and associated regulatory capital obligations 

Fixed Assets, Stock Compensation & Other Balance Sheet Items 

• Review the fixed asset clearing account monthly; create or update fixed asset records in NetSuite for new additions 

• Process monthly depreciation; maintain and review the fixed asset roll-forward schedule; obtain sign-off 

• Prepare stock compensation journal entries: RSA and RSU vesting (net-of-tax), stock expense accruals, and ESPP entries on applicable cycles 

• Coordinate with HR and valuation advisors (e.g., Stout) for current fair value inputs under ASC 718 on vesting events 

• Maintain the bad debt allowance schedule; review receivable aging, prepare allowance entries, and obtain CFO approval 

• Record note interest accruals for applicable investment positions; maintain supporting interest schedules 

• Update the ASC 820 fair value schedule for Level 3 private securities; obtain pricing from approved valuation sources 

• Manage sublease rental invoices: issue to subtenants, track receipt, and record in NetSuite 

• Process 401(k) match true-up entries; manage ESPP stock expense accrual semi-annually 

Bloomberg & Vendor Expense Allocations 

• Obtain Bloomberg terminal user lists and expense data monthly; calculate cost allocation by user and department 

• Create monthly Bloomberg accrual and reversing entry; post the final allocation journal entry to NetSuite 

• Distribute allocated Bloomberg expense detail to business unit heads for review and confirmation 

Audit, SEC Reporting & Internal Controls 

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for Crowe LLP on the annual audit and quarterly reviews; manage the audit request list and deliverable schedule 

• Prepare and maintain IPE-compliant financial reporting packages (YTD and QTD) for all audit workpaper areas 

• Periodic financial reports and disclosure packages 

• Maintain SOX-aligned documentation for key controls across revenue recognition, payroll, bank reconciliations, and regulatory reporting 

• Coordinate with BDO (external auditor for parent company BRC Group Holdings) on consolidated audit requests, intercompany reconciliations, and shared-service accounting matters as required 

Team Leadership & Process 

• Manage and develop a team currently comprising a Sr. Accountant and Assistant Controller; assign daily work, provide technical guidance, and sign off on all reconciliations prior to CFO submission 

• Maintain and update the monthly close checklist; provide close status updates to CFO throughout the cycle 

• Drive continuous improvement in close efficiency; identify automation and process enhancement opportunities within NetSuite 

• Establish and maintain documented accounting policies and procedures consistent with GAAP and broker-dealer regulatory requirements 

QUALIFICATIONS 

Required 

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field 

• CPA preferred; active license strongly valued 

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a broker-dealer, investment bank, or financial services firm 

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with FINRA FOCUS Report preparation and filing 

• Working knowledge of SEC Rules 15c3-1 (net capital) and 15c3-3 (customer protection); familiarity with FINRA reporting requirements 

• Proficiency with NetSuite or equivalent ERP system 

• Strong command of GAAP, including ASC 606, ASC 718, ASC 820, ASC 840/842, and ASC 326 

• Demonstrated ability to manage a full monthly close cycle and deliver on-time results in a fast-paced environment 

• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, reconciliation modeling) 

• Proficiency with Claude and other AI tools required; B. Riley is an AI-focused firm and candidates who are not yet proficient must demonstrate the ability and drive to get there fast 

Preferred 

• Experience in a carve-out, newly public, or standalone broker-dealer entity 

• Familiarity with Xtiva commission management system 

• Prior public accounting experience (Big 4 or national firm) with a broker-dealer or financial services practice 

• Experience coordinating with external auditors on annual audits and quarterly reviews for a public registrant 

• Familiarity with NFS (Fidelity) and Pershing clearing platforms 

CORE COMPETENCIES 

• Precision & Accountability — Produces consistently accurate work product; takes ownership of errors and drives rapid resolution 

• Broker-Dealer Technical Depth — Understands the regulatory and accounting nuances unique to a FINRA-registered broker-dealer, including net capital, FOCUS reporting, and clearing firm reconciliations 

• Close Management — Can execute a compressed monthly close, prioritize competing deadlines, and keep the team on schedule without sacrificing accuracy 

• Judgment & Escalation — Knows when to escalate issues to the CFO; proactively identifies accounting risks and internal control gaps 

• Communication — Communicates clearly with non-finance stakeholders (Capital Markets, IB, Compliance) and with external auditors 

• Team Development — Grows staff capability; delegates effectively and fosters a culture of accuracy and accountability 

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS 

Reports To:  Chief Financial Officer, B. Riley Securities Holdings, Inc. 

Direct Reports:  Sr. Accountant; Assistant Controller 

Key Internal Relationships:  CEO; Capital Markets leadership; Investment Banking; Compliance & Legal; Human Resources; IT 

Key External Relationships:  Crowe LLP (BRSH external auditor); BDO (BRC Group Holdings external auditor); NFS/Fidelity; BONY; FINRA; SEC 

Inclusion and Equal Opportunity Employment: B. Riley Securities is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veterans status, Aboriginal/Native American status, or any other legally protected factors.