A Controller oversees all accounting operations, ensures financial accuracy, manages the accounting team, and serves as the bridge between day-to-day finance and executive leadership.
A great Controller does not just complete tasks. They own a function that directly frees you to grow. Here is what that looks like in a scaling business:
01Oversee all accounting operations and the close process
02Manage and develop the accounting team
03Ensure compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements
04Prepare and present financial reports to leadership
05Own internal controls and financial risk management
How this hire moves your business forward: A Controller gives your business financial infrastructure. With one in place, your CEO stops doing finance and starts using finance as a growth tool.
Why LatAm
Why LatAm Produces Great Controllers.
LatAm controllers often have Big Four or multinational experience, with strong backgrounds in financial reporting, compliance, and managing accounting teams for US businesses.
The timezone overlap with the US is strong. LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time, so there is no async lag, no late-night handoffs, and no communication gap.
Skills & tools
Know What a Great Controller Actually Brings to the Table.
Beyond the resume, here are the skills, tools, and traits that separate strong performers from strong interviewers.
Hard Skills
Financial controls
GAAP compliance
Team management
Financial reporting
Risk management
Common Tools
NetSuite
QuickBooks Enterprise
Excel
Workiva
Concur
Soft Skills & Traits
Executive presence
Strategic thinker
Strong people manager
Discreet
Process builder
Compensation
What You Can Expect to Pay.
Based on Sur market data and regional benchmarks. Figures reflect total cash compensation.
Seniority
US Annual
LatAm Annual
You Save
Entry
$120,000
$45,000
$75,000 / yr
Mid level
$150,000
$65,000
$85,000 / yr
Senior
$190,000
$85,000
$105,000 / yr
Spot the right hire
What to Look For, and What to Watch Out For.
Green Flags
Has managed a full accounting team before
Has presented financial results to a board or investors
Can speak to process improvements they have implemented
Understands the difference between accounting and FP&A
Red Flags
Has only been an individual contributor
Cannot explain internal controls
Struggles to communicate financial results to non-finance leaders
Our process
Our Process for This Role.
We do not post and wait. Every Controller search we run is built from scratch around your business, your stage, your team, and your goals. And at every step, we are thinking about how this hire helps you grow.
1
Onboarding Call
We start by understanding what you actually need.
2
Role Scoping and Assessment Design
We build a precise role profile and design the custom skills assessment before we search for anyone.
3
Sourcing
We source actively across LatAm and the Caribbean and through our network.
4
Prescreening and Phone Screen
Every candidate is internally screened then put through an English phone screen.
5
Your Shortlist
3 to 5 candidates delivered early in the process with background, audio clip, and our team's recommendation.
6
Skills Assessment
Shortlisted candidates take a custom assessment built to replicate the actual work of the role.
7
Hire and Guarantee
We support the offer, help structure compensation for retention, and back every placement with a 90-day guarantee.
4-5 weeks typically. Most placements are made within 21 days of the onboarding call.
Most LatAm professionals work within 1 to 3 hours of US Eastern time.
All Sur placements speak fluent English. We screen for language ability on every search. High business English required (stakeholder-facing).
A LatAm Controller brings the same strategic finance capability as a US hire, often with Big 4 or multinational backgrounds. The cost savings at this level are significant - typically 50-60% of US comp.
If your hire does not work out within the first 90 days for any reason, we replace them at no additional cost.
A Controller owns the past - accurate books, clean financials, compliance. A CFO owns the future - strategy, fundraising, planning. Most companies need a Controller first.
Yes. This is a common structure. Your LatAm Controller owns the day-to-day books and coordinates directly with your US CPA for tax and compliance.
Ready to Hire a Controller Who Actually Moves the Needle?
Let us design the role together and find you the right person from LatAm.