Corporate Controller

We are seeking an experienced Corporate Controller to lead and oversee corporate accounting operations for a global industrial manufacturing client generating approximately $2 billion in annual revenue.

This individual will play a critical role in ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and consistency of financial reporting across a complex, multinational business. The Corporate Controller will oversee core accounting functions, financial reporting, internal controls, and consolidation activities while partnering with finance, operations, and executive leadership to drive operational excellence and support the company's strategic objectives.

The ideal candidate brings significant accounting leadership experience within a large-scale manufacturing environment, strong technical accounting expertise, and a demonstrated track record of leading process improvements, automation initiatives, and accounting transformation projects. Experience with SAP is important, as the organization currently operates on SAP ECC 6.0 and anticipates a future transition to SAP S/4HANA.

This is an opportunity for a forward-thinking accounting leader to strengthen global accounting operations, develop a high-performing team, and modernize processes within an established international organization.

Responsibilities
Corporate Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Lead corporate accounting operations, including the general ledger, month-end and year-end close, financial reporting, account reconciliations, and consolidation activities.
• Oversee the preparation and integrity of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Manage accounting processes across multiple legal entities, business units, and international locations, ensuring consistency and accuracy in financial reporting.
• Establish and maintain effective internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures to support compliance and mitigate financial risk.
• Drive improvements in close timelines, reporting accuracy, balance sheet integrity, and overall accounting efficiency.
• Partner with senior finance leadership to deliver timely financial information, resolve complex accounting matters, and support strategic decision-making.

Global & Manufacturing Accounting

• Oversee accounting activities within a complex, global manufacturing environment, including inventory valuation, standard costing, cost of goods sold, manufacturing variances, and fixed asset accounting.
• Partner with plant controllers, regional finance leaders, and operational stakeholders to improve financial visibility, inventory accuracy, and cost management.
• Oversee consolidation and reporting considerations associated with international operations, including foreign currency translation and intercompany transactions.
• Ensure consistent accounting practices and financial reporting standards across domestic and international entities.
• Support capital expenditure accounting, manufacturing cost analysis, and other operational finance activities.
• Collaborate with supply chain, procurement, operations, and commercial leadership to improve financial performance and strengthen cost controls.

Process Improvement, Automation & Finance Transformation

• Lead initiatives to standardize, streamline, and automate accounting processes across a global organization.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, improve data quality, accelerate the financial close, and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Evaluate and implement technology solutions, including workflow automation, advanced analytics, and AI-enabled accounting tools where appropriate.
• Establish global accounting best practices, process documentation, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Partner with IT and finance leadership to modernize accounting operations and ensure systems support the company's evolving business needs.
• Support ERP transformation planning and the future transition from SAP ECC 6.0 to SAP S/4HANA, including process redesign, data integrity, controls, and change management.

Systems & Technology

• Oversee and optimize accounting processes within SAP ECC 6.0.
• Partner with IT, finance, and business stakeholders to enhance ERP functionality, reporting capabilities, and financial data integrity.
• Identify opportunities to leverage system capabilities and emerging technologies to improve accounting efficiency and internal controls.
• Contribute to ERP roadmap development, system enhancements, and future SAP S/4HANA implementation initiatives.

Leadership & Organizational Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor accounting personnel while building a high-performing team focused on accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Establish clear performance expectations, promote professional development, and strengthen succession planning within the accounting organization.
• Collaborate with regional controllers, plant finance teams, and international stakeholders to align accounting practices and reporting standards.
• Foster cross-functional collaboration between corporate accounting, regional finance, operations, tax, treasury, and IT.
• Evaluate team structure, resource allocation, and processes to ensure the accounting function can effectively support a global business of significant scale.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting experience, with 15 or more years strongly preferred.
• Experience as a Corporate Controller, Regional Controller, Assistant Controller, or in a comparable senior accounting leadership position.
• Significant accounting experience within a manufacturing organization, ideally in industrial products or a similarly complex multi-site manufacturing environment.
• Experience working for a company with approximately $500 million or more in annual revenue, ideally within a $1B–$5B organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing accounting teams.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, consolidation, and close processes.
• Experience with SAP ERP systems; SAP ECC 6.0 experience is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of leading accounting process improvements, automation initiatives, or finance transformation projects.
• Experience managing complex accounting operations across multiple entities, business units, or locations.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and levels of the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a global or multinational manufacturing organization with international entities and operations.
• Experience with foreign currency translation, intercompany accounting, and global financial consolidation.
• Exposure to SAP S/4HANA implementations, ERP transformation, or large-scale system enhancements.
• Experience leveraging AI-enabled solutions, intelligent automation, or advanced analytics within accounting or finance.
• Tax accounting experience or familiarity with international and domestic corporate tax considerations.
• Experience with treasury operations, cash management, banking relationships, or foreign exchange processes.
• Experience standardizing accounting policies and procedures across global business units or manufacturing facilities.
• CPA designation or other relevant professional accounting qualification.

Key Details

• Compensation: $165,000-$185,000 annually, depending on qualifications, relevant fund accounting experience, and demonstrated expertise.
• Benefits: Health insurance: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan; Paid time off: Paid vacation and/or PTO, paid holidays, and applicable paid sick leave
• Employment Type: Direct Hire
• Location: Chicago

If you are interested in the Corporate Controller position and meet the qualifications above, please apply today!

Thank you,

Allee Struve
Recruiting Lead, Accounting & Finance
#LI-AS6