Controller

Job Description

Controller
Location: Santa Ana, CA
Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Lead the Financial Strategy of a Growing Manufacturing Organization
We are seeking an experienced Controller to oversee all accounting and financial operations for a growing manufacturing organization. This is a high-impact leadership position responsible for financial reporting, internal controls, ERP optimization, budgeting, cash flow management, and strategic financial planning.


The ideal candidate is a hands-on finance leader with strong manufacturing accounting experience who enjoys partnering with executive leadership to drive operational excellence and business growth.
What You'll DoFinancial Leadership

• Oversee all accounting functions including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, Fixed Assets, Inventory, Cost Accounting, Project Accounting, Tax Compliance, and Intercompany Accounting.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and all applicable regulatory requirements.
• Manage financial reporting across multiple legal entities.

ERP & Process Improvement

• Lead ERP implementation, optimization, and ongoing system improvements.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, IT, and Finance to improve reporting and business processes.
• Develop dashboards, financial reports, and system documentation.
• Train accounting staff on ERP functionality and best practices.

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process.
• Develop financial models and scenario analysis to support executive decision-making.
• Provide variance analysis and actionable recommendations.
• Partner with department leaders to improve financial performance and control costs.

Cash Flow & Business Strategy

• Manage cash flow, liquidity planning, and working capital.
• Oversee banking relationships and cash forecasting.
• Analyze financial performance and recommend strategies that improve profitability and support growth.
• Assist with capital planning and investment analysis.

Compliance & Internal Controls

• Maintain strong internal controls and financial integrity.
• Lead external audits and coordinate with auditors and tax advisors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Manage audit preparation and resolution of audit findings.

Leadership

• Lead and mentor the accounting team.
• Build a culture focused on accountability, collaboration, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Executive Leadership to support company objectives.

QualificationsRequired

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting or financial management experience.
• 3+ years of experience as a Controller.
• Manufacturing, Aerospace & Defense, or Government Contracting experience.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • U.S. GAAP
  • Financial Reporting
  • Internal Controls
  • Audit Management
  • Cost Accounting
  • Inventory Accounting
  • Multi-Entity Accounting
  • Shared Services Accounting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and leadership abilities.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills.

Preferred

• CPA or CMA certification.
• ERP implementation or optimization experience.
• Experience with Power BI or similar business intelligence tools.

Why Join Us?

• High-visibility leadership role reporting to executive management.
• Opportunity to influence financial strategy and operational performance.
• Collaborative, team-oriented environment.
• Work alongside manufacturing and engineering leadership.
• Opportunity to lead ERP and process improvement initiatives.
• Stable, growing organization with long-term career potential.

U.S. Citizenship is required due to export control regulations applicable to this position. Candidates must also be eligible to obtain a U.S. government security clearance if required.


If you're a strategic, hands-on Controller with manufacturing finance experience who enjoys improving processes, leading teams, and driving business performance, we'd love to hear from you.

Role Overview

• Role is a Controller position supporting a group of three defense-related companies under the broader organization.
• The person will oversee accounting operations and inherit responsibility from a retiring controller at one of the companies.
• The team currently includes a strong staff accountant, a credit and collections manager, and a UK-based accounting specialist handling the UK close.
• Jason wants the incoming controller to help shape the team structure and likely hire an additional senior accountant or accounting manager.
• The group does approximately 50,000,000 in revenue this year.
• The companies serve the defense sector but have different product lines: Brandywine focuses on timing solutions, MSS on ruggedized chassis and storage/software-related products, and ABP on ruggedized military cases.

Key Requirements

• Must have manufacturing background due to the cost accounting requirement.
• Experience in cost accounting is essential.
• Should be able to step into the work quickly and pick up responsibilities with minimal ramp-up.
• Should be capable of managing close processes and overseeing a small, distributed accounting team.
• Preferred background includes aerospace, defense, or government-related environments, but Jason is open to other manufacturing industries if the candidate has the right cost accounting experience.
• Ideal personality fit is personable, collaborative, and willing to work directly with others face to face when needed.
• Should not be overly rigid, overly timid, or lacking presence; Jason wants someone who can earn respect, work cross-functionally, and engage effectively with the team.
• Should be comfortable helping design the future team structure and making at least one key hire after joining.

Location

• Primary seat appears to be Santa Ana, where part of the team is based and where direct reports Margaret and Sonia are located.
• Remote is also an option because the search has had limited traction locally.
• Longmont, Colorado is another possible location, and the president there has expressed interest in having someone on-site, though it is not a requirement.
• If based in Santa Ana, travel is expected, especially early on, to understand the business.
• Travel was estimated at roughly 5 to 10%, with possible trips to Colorado, West Virginia, and potentially the UK.

Compensation

• Compensation discussed was approximately starting around $1.40, with a typical ceiling of probably gonna be $1.75.
• Bonus is 10%.
• Kimberly noted that strong performers can receive title changes and pay increases quickly, citing an example of someone receiving both within their first six months.
• The team positioned compensation as more conservative at the start, with room to reward performance if the person is doing well.

Hiring Process

• First-round interview will be with Jason.
• Second-round interview will include the retiring controller at the other company and that company's president.
• The first interview can be either Teams or in person, depending on what is easiest for the candidate.
• The second interview will definitely be remote because the interviewers are in North Carolina and Colorado.
• They are looking to hire right away for the right person.
• No assessment, case study, or presentation was mentioned.

Additional Details

• Team hours are flexible; Jason comes in around five, while most of the team comes in around 08:30 or nine.
• Jason emphasized that the organization values strong work-life balance, which Kelly noted as a selling point.
• The accounting team is distributed across Santa Ana, the UK, North Carolina, and other business locations.
• The role may require some initial travel so the person can learn the business, though ongoing travel is not expected to be heavy.
• Kelly noted that the base compensation may be slightly on the low side relative to recent market searches, but felt the company's flexibility, advancement opportunities, and reward philosophy may help offset that.
• The company has had limited traction from posting alone, so broader sourcing and passive candidate outreach will likely be important.
• Jason shared that the company website was unavailable at the time, so supporting company materials from related entities may be more useful for candidate outreach in the near term.

About Santa Ana, CA

Ready to take the next step in your career? Explore our job opportunities in the vibrant city of Santa Ana, California, where endless possibilities await. Nestled in Orange County, Santa Ana offers a delightful blend of diverse cultures, stunning art galleries like the Bowers Museum, theaters such as the Yost Theater, and mouthwatering cuisine at the 4th Street Market. Home to the professional sports teams like the Orange County Soccer Club, this city also boasts serene parks like Santiago Park for outdoor enthusiasts. Come be a part of a community brimming with charm and growth opportunities - your dream job could be just a click away.