Assistant Controller Jobs in California
Assistant Controller jobs in California are in strong demand, concentrated in corporate finance, technology, entertainment, real estate, and healthcare across experience levels from entry-level staff accountants stepping up to senior controllers ready to move into a CFO track. The largest hiring markets are Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego, where established employers like Wells Fargo, Kaiser Permanente, and The Walt Disney Company maintain significant finance operations. The most sought-after specializations in California are technical accounting under ASC 606 and ASC 842, consolidations for multi-entity structures, and SEC reporting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company Description
At Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford, we know world-renowned care begins with world-class caring. That's why we combine advanced technologies and breakthrough discoveries with family-centered care. It's why we provide our caregivers with continuing education and state-of-the-art facilities, like the newly remodeled Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford. And it's why we need caring, committed people on our team - like you. Join us on our mission to heal humanity, one child and family at a time.
Job ID: LP_00026534-662026
JOB SUMMARY
This paragraph summarizes the general nature, level and purpose of the job.
Reporting to the Vice President and Controller, the Assistant Controller is responsible and accountable for the performance of the accounting and financial reporting aspects of the Controllership function for Stanford Medicine Children's Health, which includes Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (LPCH), Faculty Practice Organization (FPO), Packard Children's Health Alliance (PCHA), Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health (LPFCH), and Packard Medical Group (PMG) and reporting only for Lucile Packard Foundation for Children's Health (LPFCH). Responsible for the accounting operations including treasury, general accounting, intercompany accounting (including shared and purchased services budgeting), revenue and reimbursement, property, plant, and equipment (including capital budgeting), restricted funds, and financial reporting including benchmarking, operational reporting, management reporting, tax returns, quarterly and annual financial statements, external bond reporting, and other financial activities in the accounting and reporting function. Directs processes required to complete the timely and accurate closing of the business cycle. Assists the Controller in the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, objectives, and short- and long-range planning. Oversees and provides direction for implementing new financial reporting and automation systems. Directs the preparation of financial and management reports and procedures. Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to establish efficient processes, workflows, and policies. Establishes priorities for accounting functions.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The essential functions listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification. They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.
Employees must abide by all Joint Commission Requirements including but not limited to sensitivity to cultural diversity, patient care, patient rights and ethical treatment, safety and security of physical environments, emergency management, teamwork, respect for others, participation in ongoing education and training, communication and adherence to safety and quality programs, sustaining compliance with National Patient Safety Goals, and licensure and health screenings.
Must perform all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the hospital's policies and procedures, including its Service Standards and its Code of Conduct.
- Provides direction and operational oversight for the accounting and reporting functions including operational oversight of managers and supervisors, executes on the Controller's strategic vision and Controllership transformation through continuous improvement, automation, streamlined processes, implementation and integration of financial systems, and collaboration with key business partners to support the needs of the growing organization.
- Manages multiple teams in the Controller's Office to ensure achievement of functional and budget/financial goals. Prioritizes resources and recommends strategies for implementing additional resources.
- Oversees the preparation fiscal and budget reports for internal management; develops projections and analysis with recommendations and conclusions for management.
- Directs the preparation of Board reporting, financial statements, tax returns, cost reports, and all other financial reporting in a timely and accurate manner. Develops annual operating budgets and provides fiscal direction to the department.
- Ensures balance sheet account reconciliations are completed monthly, reviews and ensures reconciling items are resolved in a timely manner, including consultation with the Controller for all unusual items.
- Ensures financial records systems are maintained in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), and recommends and implements changes, when necessary or required by changes in GAAP, inclusive of responsibility for technical accounting memos and analysis to ensure compliance with guidance.
- Ensures that documented agreements are in place to support inter-entity transactions for LPCH and PCHA with Stanford University (SU), Stanford Medicine Healthcare (SHC), and LPFCH. Responsible for accounting of such transactions, including ensuring the transactions are balanced to ensure appropriate eliminations within the LPCH consolidated entity (as it relates to LPFCH) and with the SU consolidated entity(as it relates to SU and SHC).
- Oversees the recording, reviewing, approving, and transmitting of financial transactions in accordance with regulatory and internal controls.
- Approves transactions that are beyond the scope of managers and supervisors. Provides analyses for management review to determine financial adjustments required to resolve outstanding financial transactions.
- Responsible for the accounting of over 600 donor/restricted funds for LPCH and PCHA in accordance with donor agreements.
- Manages the proper maintenance of the General Ledger Report Writer, maintains consistency in report formats both within a division and among divisions and between internal and audited formats.
- Maintains Standard JE Manual, Approval Process Policy, Cash Control Policy and Procedure, File Retention Policy, and other accounting policies as needed.
- Manages treasury, general accounting, intercompany accounting and budgeting, revenue and reimbursement, property, plant, and equipment accounting and budgeting, restricted fund accounting, and financial reporting.
- Manages the timely and accurate filing of statutory financial reporting inclusive of Medicare and Medi-Cal cost reports, Federal and State income tax returns, Property tax returns, Sales tax returns, and unclaimed property returns.
- Responsible for compliance with IRC 501(r) requirements and collaboration with Revenue Cycle and Community Benefits leadership on policy, implementation, and reporting of compliance activities for LPCH.
- Develops, implements and maintains policies, objectives, short-range and long-range planning; develops and implements projects and programs to assist in accomplishment of established goals.
- Guides managers in providing variance explanations for business cycle transactions.
- Selects, develops, motivates and evaluates the performance of assigned managers, supervisors and/or individual contributors;
- Provides operational guidance to managers overseeing staff.
- Serves as a resource for managers when troubleshooting by vigorously investigating, analyzing, and resolving problems.
- Develops business plans and provides financial analysis associated with business plans and any other capital requests.
- Collaborates with Information Technology (IT) department on projects and transmission of data and oversees integration for automation projections.
- Owns and oversees the coordination of audits.
- Prepares and/or reviews various reports, correspondence, and position papers; conducting and/or attending meetings and conferences.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities as well as possession of any required licenses or certifications is qualifying.
Education: Bachelor's degree in a work-related field/discipline from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Seven (7) years of progressively responsible and directly related work experience.
License/Certification:
- Certified Public Accountant
KNOWLEDGE
These are the observable and measurable attributes and skills required to perform successfully the essential functions of the job and are generally demonstrated through qualifying experience, education or licensure/certification.
- Demonstrated ability to analyze and evaluate complex accounting transactions, changes, and matters.
- Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, be analytically curious, a self-starter and ability to learn unfamiliar concepts quickly.
- Demonstrated ability in systems thinking and evaluating upstream and downstream impacts of changes, inclusive of ability to both be very detail oriented whilst able to see the big picture.
- Demonstrated ability to develop financial budgets and manage expenses.
- Demonstrated ability to direct, manage, motivate, support, and evaluate staff.
- Demonstrated ability to foster effective working relationships and build consensus.
- Demonstrated ability to and experience in providing leadership, influencing others, and communicating exceptionally well, both orally and in writing, and providing regular, clear, and concise communication, including financial education, analyses, and projections to ensure an informed and engaged team and organization.
- Demonstrated ability to identify, mediate, and own resolution of complex problems and issues.
- Knowledge of computer systems and software used in accounting.
- Demonstrated ability to develop, maintain, and oversee financial internal controls.
- Demonstrated expertise in financial regulatory requirements, tax issues, and financial reporting.
- Mastery of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Knowledge of local, state and federal regulatory requirement related to the functional area.
- Knowledge of principles and practices of organization, administration, fiscal and personnel management.
Pay Range
Compensation is based on the level and requirements of the role.
Salary within our ranges may also be determined by your education, experience, knowledge, skills, location, and abilities, as required by the role, as well as internal equity and alignment with market data.
Base Salary Range (Annually): $221,000 to $255,000
Physical Requirements
The Physical Requirements and Working Conditions in which the job is typically performed are available from the Occupational Health Department. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information
Stanford Medicine Children's Health (SMCH) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SMCH does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements, and where applicable, in compliance with the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
See All 12 Assistant Controller Jobs in California
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Find Assistant Controller JobsAssistant Controller Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Assistant Controller Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Coinbase2

- Jobot2

- AHMC Healthcare1

- Anvil Builders1

- CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen)1

Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management2
- Staffing & Recruiting2
- Technology & Software2
- Accounting & Auditing1
- Automotive1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant controller jobs across California.
- CPA license active or eligible in California strongly preferred by most employers
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a directly related field required
- Proficiency in large ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, or NetSuite expected
- Four or more years of progressive accounting or controllership experience required
- Experience with month-end close, consolidations, and financial statement preparation required
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls over financial reporting expected
Assistant Controller Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become an assistant controller in California?
Most assistant controllers in California hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance and have several years of progressively responsible accounting experience. While no state-issued license is legally required to hold the title, the California Board of Accountancy CPA license is the most common credential that distinguishes competitive candidates and is often listed as preferred or required by employers. Candidates without a CPA frequently enter through senior accountant or accounting manager roles in industries like technology, entertainment, or healthcare before moving into controllership.
Which companies hire assistant controllers in California?
Employers hiring assistant controllers in California right now include Coinbase, Jobot, and AHMC Healthcare, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of publicly traded companies, large healthcare systems, real estate investment firms, and entertainment studios generates consistent demand for assistant controllers across industries.
Which California cities have the most assistant controller jobs?
Century City, San Francisco, and El Segundo are the California cities with the most assistant controller openings, reflecting where the state's largest corporate headquarters, financial services firms, and healthcare networks are concentrated. Los Angeles drives volume through its entertainment, real estate, and media sectors, while San Francisco and San Jose anchor demand in technology and venture-backed companies, and San Diego contributes through biotech and defense.
Are there remote assistant controller jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many finance roles. About 25% of assistant controller openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting how much of the work involves financial systems, reporting, and analysis that can be done off-site. The most remote-eligible tasks tend to be consolidations, variance analysis, and financial close coordination, while on-site expectations often apply during quarter-end or audit periods.
How can I get hired as an assistant controller in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a senior accountant or accounting manager role where you own a segment of the close process before stepping into an assistant controller title. Large California employers in technology and healthcare, including major hospital systems and publicly traded tech companies in the Bay Area, regularly hire staff-level accountants and promote internally. Sitting for the California CPA exam early, gaining ERP experience in systems like Oracle or NetSuite, and targeting companies with structured finance rotational programs gives candidates without direct controllership experience a strong edge.
Where can I find and apply to assistant controller jobs in California?
You can find and apply to assistant controller jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
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