SVP, Controller

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Vice President, Controller to join our Finance leadership team. This critical role reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer and serves as the operational backbone of the company's financial infrastructure. This role requires a seasoned finance executive who thrives in a fast-paced, technology-driven banking environment and can scale financial operations to match the company's rapid growth trajectory.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Governance

Maintain and continuously enhance the company's financial governance framework, including internal controls, policies, and procedures over financial reporting
Oversee the design and operating effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting (ICFR) and ensure SOX-equivalent rigor appropriate for a regulated banking institution (FDICIA)
Lending Reporting

Oversee all financial reporting related to Cross River's lending portfolio, including marketplace lending, Commercial and SBA lending, and principal financing activities
Ensure accurate and timely loan-level accounting, including origination, servicing, gain-on-sale, fair value measurements, and allowance for credit losses (CECL)
Direct reporting processes for loan sales, participations, securitizations, and warehouse facility utilization
Ensure proper treatment of fee income, interest income, and provision expense across all lending verticals
Financial & Regulatory Reporting

Serve as the primary owner of the company's accounting policies, ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable regulatory accounting standards
Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes
Manage the end-to-end SEC reporting process, including drafting financial statements, footnotes, and MD&A disclosures, ensuring accuracy and adherence to filing deadlines
Oversee preparation and filing of all regulatory reports, including Call Reports, FR Y-9 filings, and other submissions to the FDIC, Federal Reserve, and state banking regulators
Ensure timely and accurate delivery of required management reporting packages, and board-level financial presentations, including Audit Committee
Tax & New Product Planning

Oversee the company's tax function, including federal, state, and local income tax compliance, tax provision (ASC 740), and tax planning strategies
Lead tax structuring analysis for new products, partnerships, and business initiatives to optimize tax efficiency while maintaining full compliance
Evaluate accounting implications of new fintech partnerships, BaaS integrations, and program structures
Procurement

Build and oversee a centralized procurement function that drives cost efficiency, vendor governance, and operational discipline across the organization
Refine and implement procurement policies, approval workflows, and vendor selection criteria aligned with regulatory expectations for third-party risk management
Build reporting and analytics capabilities to provide visibility into organizational spending patterns and budget adherence
Revenue Management

Serve as the enterprise owner of revenue recognition policies and practices under ASC 606 and other applicable standards (ASC 310, ASC 320, ASC 460)
Oversee the accurate identification, measurement, and reporting of revenue across all business lines — including interchange fees, transaction processing fees, program fees, lending income, gain-on-sale, and SaaS/platform-related revenue streams
Lead revenue assurance processes to ensure completeness and accuracy of revenue capture from complex fintech partner arrangements, embedded finance programs, and multi-element agreements
Leadership & Strategic Responsibilities

Build, mentor, and manage a high-performing controllership organization of 30+ professionals across all seven functions, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
Advise on the financial implications of strategic decisions, M&A activity, capital raises, and potential IPO readiness
Lead the evaluation and implementation of financial systems (ERP, sub-ledgers, automation tools) to support scale and efficiency
Qualifications:

Required:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA required
15+ years of progressive experience in accounting/controllership roles, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership capacity managing multiple functions
Deep expertise in U.S. GAAP, regulatory accounting for banking institutions (Call Report preparation, FFIEC guidelines), and financial governance best practices
Prior experience in a regulated banking environment (commercial bank, fintech bank, or BaaS institution); experience with FDIC-regulated entities strongly preferred
Demonstrated experience building and overseeing internal control frameworks and managing external audit relationships (Big 4 experience a plus)
Strong understanding of complex financial products including lending (marketplace, SBA, consumer, commercial), payments, card issuing, and capital markets
Preferred:

Experience supporting IPO readiness or public company reporting strongly preferred
Experience with crypto/digital asset accounting and stablecoin-related financial products
Familiarity with embedded finance and Banking-as-a-Service (BaaS) business models and their unique accounting complexities
Knowledge of API-driven banking platforms and their impact on financial reporting and controls
CECL modeling exposure and familiarity with credit loss accounting frameworks