Are you a CPA who thrives in a hands-on leadership role where you can make a tangible impact on business performance? Do you enjoy balancing strategic financial oversight with day-to-day operational involvement? If you're a proactive problem solver who takes ownership, embraces technology, and enjoys building strong processes and teams, this could be the opportunity you've been looking for.

Our client, a well-established production and distribution organization, is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee all financial operations and serve as a key business partner to leadership. This is a true player-coach role, ideal for someone who enjoys rolling up their sleeves while providing strategic financial guidance that supports growth, profitability, and operational excellence.

What You'll Be Doing

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
• Prepare and review journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations
• Produce and review financial statements in accordance with ASPE
• Maintain and strengthen accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls
• Ensure compliance with tax, audit, and regulatory requirements
• Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, and advisors

Accounting Operations

• Oversee all core accounting functions, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Fixed Assets
• Resolve complex accounting issues and provide guidance on transaction-level matters
• Ensure financial data integrity and operational efficiency across the accounting function

Cash Flow & Financial Planning

• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital requirements
• Monitor liquidity, debt compliance, and banking relationships
• Provide leadership with clear visibility into short- and long-term cash positions
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning initiatives

Financial Analysis & Business Support

• Perform detailed variance analysis and provide actionable insights to leadership
• Develop management reports, dashboards, and financial performance metrics
• Partner with operational teams to support informed business decision-making

Inventory, Costing & Purchasing

• Oversee inventory accounting, costing, valuation, reconciliations, and controls
• Monitor inventory performance, including slow-moving and obsolete stock
• Collaborate with operations, purchasing, and production teams on inventory planning and forecasting
• Analyze landed costs, supplier pricing, freight, duties, and currency impacts
• Improve margin reporting across products, projects, and customer segments

Foreign Exchange & International Purchasing

• Monitor foreign currency exposure related to international purchasing activities
• Support management in evaluating hedging opportunities and currency risk strategies
• Analyze FX impacts on inventory, margins, and cash flow
• Assist with international vendor payment planning and banking relationships

Technology, Automation & AI Innovation

• Lead initiatives focused on AI adoption, automation, and financial process improvement
• Identify opportunities to streamline reporting, forecasting, reconciliations, and other finance activities
• Support ERP, accounting system, and business intelligence enhancements
• Establish controls and governance around AI-assisted financial processes
• Promote a culture of innovation, efficiency, and continuous improvement within finance

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a small accounting team
• Foster accountability, collaboration, and professional growth
• Set clear expectations, conduct performance reviews, and support career development
• Champion process improvements and best practices across the department

Special Projects

• Lead and support system implementations, process redesign initiatives, and strategic business projects
• Serve as a trusted finance partner to cross-functional teams

What We're Looking For

Qualifications

• CPA designation required
• Minimum 5 years of progressive financial management experience
• Strong understanding of financial reporting, internal controls, and operational accounting
• Advanced Excel skills
• Experience using QuickBooks
• Experience within manufacturing, production, distribution, or inventory-driven environments is considered a strong asset

Key Attributes

• Exceptional attention to detail and commitment to accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Hands-on leader who takes ownership and delivers results
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial information into meaningful business insights
• Highly organized, adaptable, and deadline-oriented
• Passion for continuous improvement, process optimization, and leveraging technology

 

Ready to Make an Impact?

This is more than a traditional Controller role, it's an opportunity to influence business strategy, improve operational performance, and help shape the future of a growing organization. If you're looking for a position where your expertise, leadership, and ideas will be valued, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and take the next step in your finance leadership career.