Controller

Willamsburg County , South Carolina Direct Hire May 8, 2026 A growing, founder-led manufacturing and distribution company in South Carolina is seeking a hands‑on Controller to help build the financial infrastructure, reporting discipline, and operational processes needed to support continued growth. This is a newly created leadership role with significant visibility and opportunity to make a long‑term impact on the business. The Controller will report directly to ownership and initially lead all accounting and finance operations, with future opportunity to expand into FP&A and strategic operational support. This role offers remote flexibility, though candidates must reside in South Carolina and be comfortable traveling to the company’s operations once a week. Essential Duties & Functions Lead the monthly close process and improve the timeliness, accuracy, and reliability of financial reporting Drive the company’s transition from cash to accrual accounting and implement GAAP-aligned reporting processes Develop and maintain accounting procedures, internal controls, close checklists, and supporting documentation Partner with external CPA firms and advisors on audit readiness, quality of earnings preparation, and financial process improvements Oversee inventory accounting, including WIP, costing, returns/core charges, freight analysis, and inventory‑related reporting Establish and enforce operational controls surrounding purchasing, vendor management, approvals, cash handling, and AR collections Provide financial insight and reporting to ownership to support business decision‑making and scalability Oversee payroll, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, employee compliance matters, and standard business agreements Manage and develop accounting support staff while helping build future FP&A capabilities Participate in ERP/system evaluation, implementation, and integration initiatives, including accounting, inventory, warehouse management, and e‑commerce systems Build strong cross‑functional relationships across operations, warehouse, sales, and leadership teams Qualifications 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibility within a manufacturing, distribution, or product‑based environment CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred but not required Prior experience owning or leading an accounting/finance function as a Controller, Director of Finance, or similar role Hands‑on experience converting financials from cash to accrual accounting and implementing structured financial reporting processes Experience preparing for audits, quality of earnings reviews, lender reporting, or similar financial diligence processes Strong understanding of inventory accounting, costing, WIP, and operational finance concepts Advanced Excel skills and experience with QuickBooks along with exposure to ERP or mid‑market accounting systems such as NetSuite, Sage Intacct, or similar platforms Experience supporting system implementations, integrations, or process automation initiatives Ability to operate both strategically and tactically in a fast‑paced, entrepreneurial environment Manufacturing, e‑commerce, or family‑owned business experience is a plus #J-18808-Ljbffr FORGE SEARCH + CONSULTING, LLC