Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Controller

Job Description

The Controller oversees all aspects of financial management, including general ledger accounting, reporting, cash flow forecasting, payroll, and financial controls for a growing manufacturing-focused business. This role combines hands-on transactional work with strategic forecasting, business partnering, and process improvement, serving as a key right-hand partner to the President in a small, collaborative team.

Responsibilities

• Run weekly accounts receivable reports, follow up on outstanding balances, and proactively manage collections.
• Generate invoices and purchase orders on a daily basis, ensuring accuracy and timeliness, even at low transaction volumes.
• Verify financial transactions and maintain accurate general ledger records, including journal entries and reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly payroll and revise benefits, including all associated monthly and annual reporting.
• Perform regular bank reconciliations for the primary operating account and secondary accounts, ensuring strong financial controls.
• Create profit and loss statements and balance sheets using revenue recognition principles, including project-based and percentage-of-completion accruals.
• Pull P&L data from QuickBooks and transfer it into spreadsheets to analyze accruals, adjust entries, and post journal entries back into QuickBooks.
• Understand and explain the rationale behind accruals and provisions, including what has been provisioned and why.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and year-end accounts with accurate, timely, and informed commentary for leadership and the board.
• Provide business KPI analysis and reporting on projects and contracts, supporting decision-making and performance management.
• Lead and participate in budget and forecast preparation, including 9+3 and 6+6 forecasting models to project full-year performance.
• Develop and maintain cash flow forecasts, including 13-week and 1-year cash flow projections, to support acquisition plans and business growth.
• Collaborate with sales team members to understand project timelines, sales terms, and expected payment dates to improve cash flow visibility.
• Open mail, perform bank runs, and manage other routine transactional finance activities as needed.
• Raise credit memos and ensure proper documentation and posting in the accounting system.
• Focus on financial controls and reconciliations, identifying risks and ensuring all processes are robust and well-documented.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement across all finance processes, documenting procedures and enhancing efficiency.
• Act as the financial lead on ad hoc projects as required, providing analysis, insight, and recommendations.
• Deliver financial acumen coaching to the business through both formal training and informal networking, improving financial literacy across functions.
• Serve as a business partner to the President and other departments, helping them understand financial performance and achieve company objectives.
• Analyze and improve costing methodologies by working cross-functionally to understand different cost drivers within the manufacturing environment.
• Oversee the annual external financial audit, including preparation of schedules, responses to queries, and coordination with auditors.
• Manage the company’s IT systems, controls, and procedures related to finance and business operations, ensuring data integrity and security.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and external organizations at all levels, representing the finance function professionally.
• Adapt to changing priorities and tasks during the working day, often under time pressure, while maintaining accuracy and composure.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with all functions of the business and related entities, facilitating effective information flow.
• Provide coaching and mentoring within the department where required, supporting professional development and knowledge sharing.
• Promote and represent the company positively, setting a strong personal example in professionalism, integrity, and teamwork.
• Support a harmonious working environment through effective communication, collaboration, and team-working techniques.
• Adhere to company policies and procedures, including health, safety, welfare, environmental, quality standards, and the employee handbook.
• Undertake duties within capabilities that are consistent with the terms and conditions of employment and applicable laws.
• Follow all applicable integrated management system documentation, including policies and procedures, and maintain compliance.
• Take on additional tasks and responsibilities assigned by senior leadership within the finance function, demonstrating flexibility and initiative.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
• 5+ years of general ledger accounting experience, including journal entry preparation and reconciliation work.
• Strong expertise in accrual accounting, including project-based accruals and percentage-of-completion accruals.
• Experience preparing P&L statements, balance sheets, and management accounts, with the ability to explain variances and trends.
• Demonstrated ability to manage payroll processes and associated reporting on a monthly and annual basis.
• Proficiency in Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP functions, and using spreadsheet models to forecast financial data.
• Hands-on experience with QuickBooks and/or SAGE ERP systems, with the ability to move between platforms and leverage system capabilities.
• Manufacturing accounting experience, with an understanding of costing, cost drivers, and inventory-related accounting.
• Strong understanding of revenue recognition principles and their application to projects and contracts.
• Ability to develop and maintain short-term (13-week) and longer-term (1-year) cash flow forecasts.
• Comfort working in a small, growing business environment, taking on a broad range of responsibilities beyond a narrow role.
• Capability to understand and articulate the rationale behind accrual accounting decisions in a largely non-automated system.
• Excellent communication skills for interacting with internal stakeholders and external organizations at all levels.
• Ability to work under pressure, switch between tasks, and meet deadlines while maintaining high accuracy.
• Strong analytical skills for KPI analysis, costing methodology improvements, and forecasting.
• Commitment to maintaining robust financial controls, reconciliations, and documented processes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with both Sage 50 and Sage 200 or similar ERP platforms, particularly in transitioning from QuickBooks.
• Prior experience in a manufacturing environment, including understanding of production, project timelines, and related financial impacts.
• Background in overseeing or supporting annual external financial audits.
• Experience in business partnering with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to support strategic objectives.
• Ability to deliver financial training and coaching to non-financial stakeholders, improving overall financial acumen in the business.
• Familiarity with integrated management systems, including adherence to documented policies and procedures.
• Comfort managing or overseeing IT-related systems and controls within the finance function.
• Demonstrated flexibility to support a small team where everyone contributes beyond their core job description.
• Motivation to work in a growing, entrepreneurial environment and take ownership of building and improving processes.

Kaitland Clawson

Apply Here and Book Time in my Calendar

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LinkedIn:    -clawson-552605154/

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Glen Allen, VA.

The pay range for this position is $36.00 - $70.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Glen Allen,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 20, 2026.

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.