Controller

Job Title: Controller Job Category:
(Hourly or Salary) Salary Department/Group: Finance/Accounting Position Type:
(FT, PT, Intern, Contract) FT Location: Position is remote but with preference for being close to Augusta Distillery
207 Seminary Avenue
Augusta, KY 41002 Schedule: M-F Supervise Others:
(If yes, how many?) Yes - 1 Travel Required: 10% Position Reports to: President Job Description Who we are:
Augusta Distillery is a Kentucky bourbon producer focused exclusively on ultra-premium, single-barrel, cask-strength, unfiltered whiskey — never blended and never chill filtered. Based on the Ohio River in Augusta, KY, we are a fast-growing distillery known for age-forward bourbon, authentic visitor experiences, and a strong commitment to our local community. Our spirits have earned national recognition for quality and craftsmanship.
Position Summary:
The Controller is responsible for providing comprehensive financial and accounting support to the organization. This role combines accounting functions and analytical functions of a controller. Key responsibilities include ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reports, conducting in-depth cash flow analysis, creating detailed financial projections, and managing cost and manufacturing accounting. Proficiency in QuickBooks and strong analytical skills are essential. Experience with creating financial statements, strategic forecasting, and financial planning is required.

Job Functions:

Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting and Analysis:

• Prepare, review, and analyze financial statements to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with GAAP and company policies.
• Develop and maintain forecasting models, including cash flow projections, to support long-term strategic planning.
• Conduct comprehensive financial analyses, focusing on cash flow statements, analysis, and projections, and present detailed findings and actionable recommendations to senior management.
• Compile monthly consolidated GAAP financial statements for external reporting to ownership and various stakeholders, including lenders.
• Compile monthly capital spending reports for internal analysis.
• Coordinate with outside CPA firm to ensure that the tax return and year end review are completed prior to March 31.

General Ledger Management:

• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of the general ledger, including sub-ledger to ledger reconciliations, account reconciliations, and resolving reconciling items promptly.
• Compile and analyze financial data to create and record month-end accruals and closing journal entries in accordance with US GAAP.
• Maintain fixed asset ledger and manage retail merchandise and barrel inventory tracking, including assistance with Distill X5.

  Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Lead the annual budgeting process, including the creation, consolidation, and monitoring of departmental and overall company budgets.
• Provide regular updates on budget performance, including variance analysis and forecasting adjustments.
• Collaborate with department heads to ensure accurate and realistic budget assumptions and forecasts.

Cost and Manufacturing Accounting :

• Implement and maintain effective cost accounting systems to accurately capture manufacturing costs.
• Analyze cost variances and recommend corrective actions to management to improve cost efficiency.
• Ensure proper cost accounting for the distillery and guest experience operations, including operational reporting to evaluate business performance.

Cash Flow Management :

• Oversee the organization's cash flow, ensuring adequate liquidity and optimizing the use of financial resources.
• Prepare detailed cash flow statements and perform in-depth cash flow analysis to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and implement cash management strategies to enhance financial stability and operational efficiency.

Internal Controls and Compliance :

• Develop and maintain proper internal controls for the business.
• Assist with the preparation of supporting documentation for audits and resolve questions from external auditors.
• Ensure timely payment of various taxes (property, excise, barrel, sales) and filing of tax payment reports.

Accounts Payable and Receivable :

• Coordinate AP processing with various departments and subsidiaries, maintaining records for accounts payable and issuing purchase orders when needed.
• Coordinate invoicing of product sales to distribution, ensuring collections are within agreed terms with customers.

Team Collaboration and Leadership :

• Support and partner with other members of management, audit, and tax advisors.
• Manage ad-hoc reporting, financial analyses, and special projects as directed by management.
• Supervise and mentor junior accounting staff and manage relationships with external accounting firms.

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Additional Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience.
• CPA license preferred.
• Strong knowledge of financial reporting and US GAAP, including consolidation of multiple subsidiaries.
• Proven experience in creating financial statements, strategic forecasting, and financial planning, with a focus on cash flow statements, analysis, and projections.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks.
• Advanced Excel skills, including lookups, pivots, and building models.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in cost accounting and manufacturing accounting.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality on all corporate matters.
• Experience in a small business and/or small business start-up preferred.

This Job Description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job, not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties.