Controller

You will own the accuracy, discipline, and day to day leadership of Stern Pinball’s accounting function. Reporting to the CFO, you will ensure the books close on time, financial statements can be trusted, inventory and product costs are accurate, controls protect the company, and leaders understand what the numbers mean. This is a hands on finance leadership role for someone who can move comfortably between the general ledger and the factory floor. Every Stern game combines thousands of parts, specialized labor, licensed content, hardware, software, and global supply chain activity. The right Controller will turn that complexity into reliable information and practical actions that improve margin, working capital, forecasting, and execution. What you will own Close and financial reporting. Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, analytical review, issue resolution, and clear management commentary. Prepare timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with US GAAP and company policy. Accounting operations. Maintain the chart of accounts, general ledger, accounting policies, and supporting schedules for cash, working capital, fixed assets, leases, debt, and other key accounts. Provide disciplined oversight across accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related accounting operations. Product costing. Maintain a dependable First In, First Out (FIFO) costing system for materials. Maintain and improve accounting policies used to calculate actual labor rates and allocate overhead, freight, duties, and other landed cost components. Partner with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to improve the financial accuracy of bills of materials, labor standards, and production transactions. Manufacturing performance. Analyze material price and usage, labor efficiency and rate, overhead absorption, scrap, rework, and other production variances. Explain the operational and financial drivers and help leaders assign practical corrective actions. Inventory accuracy and risk. Oversee accounting for raw materials, work in process, and finished goods, including cycle counts, annual physical inventory, reconciliations, adjustments, and root cause follow through. Maintain appropriate reserves and controls for excess, slow moving, obsolete, and damaged inventory. Controls, audit, and technical accounting. Design, document, test, and continuously improve internal controls that safeguard assets and improve financial accuracy. Serve as the primary accounting contact for external auditors, own PBC schedules, resolve technical accounting questions, and ensure recommendations are completed. Tax, compliance, and risk. Coordinate income, sales and use, and other tax matters with external specialists. Ensure compliance with banking covenants, contractual requirements, and applicable reporting obligations while supporting insurance, treasury controls, and fraud prevention. Planning, cash, and working capital. Partner with the CFO and FP&A resources on budgets, forecasts, long range planning, and analysis of actual results versus plan. Monitor cash flow, receivables, payables, inventory, and other working capital drivers and recommend practical improvements. Capital and strategic support. Support financial due diligence for acquisitions, integrations, and other strategic initiatives as needed. Systems, data, and process improvement. Maintain strong ERP governance and accounting data integrity, particularly for inventory, costing, and master data. Use automation, dashboards, business intelligence, workflow improvements, and practical AI tools in accordance with company policy to reduce manual work and improve decision quality. Team leadership and business partnership. Set clear expectations, coach performance, strengthen technical capability, cross train key responsibilities, and create appropriate backup coverage. Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, Sales, HR, and executive leadership to turn financial information into operating action. How success will be measured Financial results are accurate, timely, well supported, and clearly explained. Product costs and inventory balances reflect the operational reality of the factory. Material, labor, overhead, scrap, and inventory variances lead to practical corrective actions. Controls are documented, followed, and proportionate to the company’s risks. The CFO and operating leaders receive forward looking insight they can use. The accounting team is accountable, capable, cross trained, and continually improving. Required qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field. CPA preferred, not required. Seven or more years of progressive accounting experience, including significant responsibility for close, financial reporting, internal controls, audit, and tax compliance. Meaningful Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting leadership experience, including direct management and development of an accounting team. Hands on manufacturing accounting experience, including FIFO costing, inventory valuation, cost of goods sold, and material, labor, and overhead variance analysis. Strong command of US GAAP and the ability to research and document technical accounting conclusions. Experience leading external audits, strengthening internal controls, and coordinating tax compliance with internal and external specialists. Advanced Excel skills and strong experience working in a manufacturing focused ERP environment. Demonstrated ability to partner with manufacturing, supply chain, engineering, sales, and executive leaders. High integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to meet demanding deadlines in a fast paced environment. Preferred qualifications Experience with Infor VISUAL or another manufacturing focused ERP platform. CMA, MBA, or public accounting experience. Experience with multichannel or global product businesses, including landed costs, duties, tariffs, or foreign transactions. Experience with sales and use tax compliance, including through Avalara or similar service providers. Experience with reporting automation, business intelligence tools, or finance transformation. Acquisition due diligence and post close integration experience. A genuine interest in pinball, gaming, entertainment products, or leading finance inside a complex product company. What makes this role different This is not a back office only accounting role. You will see the direct connection between the numbers, the factory floor, and finished entertainment products enjoyed around the world. The environment is fast moving, highly collaborative, and gives the Controller a visible opportunity to strengthen both financial discipline and operating performance. Physical and work environment requirements This role is based onsite at Stern Pinball’s Elk Grove Village headquarters and manufacturing operation. It works across office and factory environments and may require time on the production floor. Occasional evening or weekend work may be needed during close, audit, budgeting, systems work, or other peak periods. Closed toe footwear and adherence to factory safety requirements may be required in designated production areas. Salary Range - $135,000 - $155,000 plus discretionary annual bonus #J-18808-Ljbffr Abrazo Group