About Us
CMB is a full-service custom market research and strategy firm based in Boston. As a Top 25 Insights & Analytics company, we’re known for our relentless business-decision focus and cutting-edge creativity. Our passion is helping the world’s leading brands engage, innovate, and grow. We leverage the best of advanced analytics, consumer psychology, and market strategy to tackle game-changing initiatives and business challenges for our clients.
What about our culture? Simply put, our people are our power. We have a diverse, inclusive and collaborative team of bright perspectives and curious minds. At CMB you’ll have plenty of opportunities to achieve your full potential. From learning new skills, expanding your expertise, and continuing to advance your professional development, you will feel supported and valued.
Our benefits say a lot about how much we value our employees: we offer a fully paid sabbatical, a wellness stipend, paid time off to volunteer, generous medical plans, a 401k match, and more. Every employee also gets to enjoy an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).
ESOP? Yes, we are 100% employee owned! An ESOP is like a qualified retirement plan, similar to a 401k, but you don’t have to make any contributions to participate in the rewards. When we each work hard to provide exceptional service and deliverables to our clients, the positive performance of the company increases the value of our stock and enables the accumulation of wealth for all our employee-owners.
About the Position
Are you a leader in finance with project-based professional services industry experience looking for a new role with a top research firm? The Controller will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, managing strong internal controls, enabling client & project profitability improvement, ensuring sound financial planning & management practices, and supporting business decision-making. This leader collaborates with CMB executives, function managers, client account owners, and colleagues at all levels of the organization in addition to partnering with our parent company’s, ITA Group, Finance team.
This position reports to CMB’s AVP of Finance until January 2026, then will report directly to the COO/CFO.
This role will work a hybrid schedule in our Boston, MA office.
About You
You are a meticulous professional who thrives on precision and technical excellence. You are a highly effective communicator and a personable team manager, influential collaborator, and people developer. Your keen eye for detail ensures that every task, no matter how small, is executed with accuracy and care. You approach challenges methodically, leveraging your technical expertise to analyze complex problems and devise effective solutions. Your commitment to quality is unwavering; you consistently produce work that meets the highest standards, taking pride in delivering flawless results. You are organized and efficient, adept at managing multiple tasks while maintaining a focus on precision and thoroughness.
About Your Background
You’ve worked hard to get to where you are and are ready to take on a role where you can leverage your skills in finance and people management. You have a track record of proven success in financial leadership along with managing a small team of driven individuals within a professional services firm that uses project-based accounting. Here’s what you’ll be doing and the qualifications we are looking for:
Responsibilities and Expectations
Essential Duties
Financial Leadership & Reporting
Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, including project-based revenue recognition process and preparation of GAAP-compliant financial statements
Manage general ledger accuracy, account reconciliations, and internal controls
Create and communicate timely and value-added management reporting, including:
Monthly financial results
Quarterly profitability by client, project, and solution type
Employee, departmental, and organizational scorecards
Provide ad hoc financial analysis to support decision-making
Manage CMB’s annual financial review and audit process with ITA Group and external auditors
Team Leadership (starting January 2026)
Lead and manage the accounting and admin team:
Set clear goals and expectations
Distribute workloads equitably
Provide ongoing coaching, performance reviews, and development planning
Ensure delivery of high-quality financial services and support
Financial Planning & Management
Partner with function leaders and stakeholders to enhance financial planning, management, and support
Evaluate and recommend pricing models and manage updates to Budget Builder tool
Enable client and project profitability improvement efforts
Process Improvement & Systems Oversight
Evaluate and optimize accounting system workflows for efficiency and accuracy
Support management and administration of ERP and PSA (Sage/Intacct and Kimble) infrastructure and processes in collaboration with Sales & Account Management, Client Services, and ITA Group
Ensure data integrity across time tracking, billing, and finance platforms
Budgeting, Forecasting & Collaboration
Support annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes
Serve as the finance liaison for cross-functional projects and ITA Group finance efforts
Contribute to profitability improvement efforts and organizational change initiatives
Cash Management, Tax & Compliance
Manage cash flow and ensure sound cash management practices
Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax requirements in partnership with ITA Group
Manage and enforce internal financial policies and controls
Payroll & Benefits
Oversee bi-weekly payroll and related tax filings in partnership with People & Culture, ITA Group, ADP, and relevant state agencies
Collaborate with People & Culture and ITA Group on employee benefits and insurance programs
Operational Support
Serve as the primary contact for Insights Association financial and compensation studies
Assist with finance-related special projects and act as a backup to team members
Participate in peer reviews and finance team scorecard goal achievement
Interface with ITA Group on commercial insurance policies
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA and/or MBA preferred
8+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience with 2+ years in a controller or similar role within project-based professional services environments; market research or consulting industry experience is a plus
Proven track record of increasing responsibility in diverse, complex business settings
Strong knowledge of general ledger, project-based accounting, accounts receivable/payable, payroll, and banking processes and best practices
Deep experience with ERP/accounting systems required
High attention to detail with excellent time management and multi-tasking skills
Highly effective talent leader, manager, and developer
Demonstrated success leading cross-functional financial initiatives, profitability improvement efforts, and organizational change
Deep experience in financial reporting and analysis, planning, and decision support
Strong technology skills, including Microsoft Office Suite, Salesforce.com, Sage/Intacct or similar ERP system, Kimble/Kantana or similar PSA tool, along with the drive to leverage AI to enable automated and streamlined processes
Skilled in business partnering and stakeholder engagement with executives, line managers, and cross-functional teams
Ability to work effectively across all levels of the organization with a strong customer service orientation
Strong analytical, prioritization, and project management skills
Impactful communicator with excellent verbal, written, and presentation abilities
Self-motivated, adaptable, and eager to learn; thrives in fast-paced environments
Merger & acquisition experience is a plus
*No agency assistance needed*
*No visa/work authorization available*
CMB strongly encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply. We recognize that people from structurally marginalized groups often only apply to jobs if they meet 100% of the qualifications, despite the reality that applicants rarely ever meet 100% of the qualifications. If you have demonstrated experience in the custom market research and insights industry and this position aligns with your experience and interests, please apply!
CMB is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or to other non-work-related factors. As part of our commitment to inclusivity, CMB will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact Kate Milligan at [email protected].
The annual base salary range for this position is $125,000-$155,000 plus bonus, benefits, and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). The base salary is dependent on a variety of factors including (but not limited to) experience, expertise, skills, and employee's location.
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