Controller & Director of Finance

Ayalytical Instruments is a high-growth provider of precision testing equipment for the energy sector. With firsthand access to the most innovative technologies, we operate at the very forefront of modern petroleum testing, helping our customers to meet the growing demands of the industrial world one test at a time. Progressive, productive, and practical, we are a fast-paced, dynamic organization that values the growth of our people as much as the growth of our revenue. Ayalytical Instruments is seeking to add a Controller & Director of Finance to our growing organization. Job Overview The Controller & Director of Finance position is a hybrid of rigorous accounting oversight and strategic analysis. The position is responsible for managing hands‑on accounting cycles and profitability audits to ensure the business remains financially healthy as it continues to scale, serving as the financial voice throughout the organization on ideas and improvements, and transitioning the company’s financial function from reporting the past to steering the future. The ideal candidate is a seasoned accounting professional who can organize and present data to support decision‑making, proactively lead financial discussions and decisions based on what they find in the data, and understand how the operations department functions so financial decisions are not made in a silo. This position is for you if you possess the numerical intuition to think in numbers, enjoy analyzing data to identify areas of improvement, and understand the dynamics of a founder‑run business that values the ability to make decisions that are best for the company, even if they are different than the norm. The Director of Finance position is a new position for the company, taking over the financial duties currently managed by a Partner, allowing leadership to focus on market expansion. Protect company profitability and margins as the primary financial watchdog Deliver financial information and leads conversations around recommendations Manage daily accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger activities Oversee month‑end and year‑end closing processes to ensure reporting accuracy Execute bi‑weekly payroll processing and calculate complex sales commissions Audit purchasing activities to identify and eliminate financial leakage Segment P&L data to provide financial visibility for individual departments Prepare detailed financial reports and data interpretations for leadership Identify & reconcile pricing mistakes (involving purchasing) with related vendors Strategize in meeting AP & AR targets (net 45 average AR) (under net 60 average AP) Supervise and mentor the accounts payable team members to ensure professional growth Administer employee benefits, including medical deductions and 401k plans Track staff paid time off and manage basic human resources documentation Lead upcoming ERP system migrations and technical software implementations Analyze sales tax nexus requirements and ensure multi‑state compliance Requirements 7+ years of progressive Accounting experience, specifically within manufacturing, distribution, or scientific instrumentation Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting required, CPA or MBA preferred Comfortable organizing and presenting financial data to support the decision‑making process Experience in small or mid‑market firms Ability to make proactive financial recommendations Must pass a background check Knowledge of tax strategy and sales tax nexus issues preferred Requirements: Job Structure In‑person office position Office Address: 2787 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612 #J-18808-Ljbffr Ayalytical Instruments, Inc.