Controller (Small Company)

Controller (Small Company)

Location: Paramus, NJ Area | On-Site, 5 Days per Week

Base Salary: $100,000–$120,000 + Discretionary Bonus + Profit Sharing

About the Opportunity

Our client, a privately owned, established distribution company in the Paramus, NJ area, is seeking an experienced, hands-on Controller (Small Company) to take ownership of its day-to-day accounting operations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys working in a small-business environment and wants to play an active role in managing the full accounting function. This is a hands-on position, not a review-only or purely supervisory role. The ideal candidate will be comfortable working directly in the accounting systems, managing daily transactions, maintaining accurate financial records, and ensuring the books are organized and current.

Working closely with company ownership and the outside CPA, the Controller will be responsible for the general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, reconciliations, cash management, month-end preparation, and financial reporting support.

The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, dependable, organized, and proactive, with the ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Maintain the general ledger through trial balance for multiple companies.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and month-end close support.
• Support month-end and year-end accounting activities and maintain organized financial records.
• Reconcile bank accounts, A/R and A/P aging reports, and inventory balances to the inventory control module.
• Maintain daily cash reporting and review bank activity for unusual transactions or potential fraud.
• Process positive pay transactions and maintain appropriate supporting documentation.
• Prepare expense detail, management reports, and financial information for ownership and the outside CPA.
• Respond to accounting inquiries and coordinate with the outside CPA on reporting and related matters.

Accounts Receivable & Cash Management

• Monitor incoming cash, record customer payments and deposits, and reconcile cash applications.
• Review A/R aging, follow up on outstanding invoices, and resolve payment and billing discrepancies.
• Issue customer statements and process approved credits for returns, damages, shortages, and other adjustments.
• Monitor customer credit limits and payment terms, coordinating order releases with the traffic department as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate customer account records and support timely collections.

Accounts Payable & Vendor Management

• Enter vendor invoices, review A/P aging, and schedule payments according to due dates and available discounts.
• Prepare ACH, wire, credit card, and other payments for approval.
• Reconcile vendor statements, resolve discrepancies, and communicate with vendors regarding invoices and payments.
• Review credit card statements, coordinate recurring monthly payments, and maintain organized A/P files.
• Send vendor payment confirmations and ensure appropriate payment documentation is retained.

Inventory, Distribution & Billing Support

• Reconcile inventory balances and investigate discrepancies between accounting and inventory systems.
• Review receiving reports and supporting documentation to identify damages, shortages, pricing errors, and purchase order discrepancies.
• Prepare vendor debit notes and claims with the appropriate supporting documentation, and follow up on outstanding issues.
• Review and document vendor chargebacks and ensure applicable rebates are generated.
• Provide backup support for billing, including invoices and packing slips, as needed.
• Maintain organized customer files, invoices, bills of lading, and receiving documentation.
• Work with purchasing, warehouse, traffic, and other internal teams to resolve accounting and transaction issues.

Payroll, Employee Records & Outside Providers

• Prepare biweekly and monthly payroll using ADP.
• Maintain employee records, PTO balances, salary information, and related HR documentation.
• Coordinate with payroll providers, insurance brokers, benefits providers, and other outside service partners as needed.

Accounting Systems & Internal Controls

• Maintain accurate accounting records in QuickBooks
• Ensure consistency between the general ledger, aging reports, inventory records, and supporting documentation.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies and help improve accounting procedures, recordkeeping, and internal controls.

Qualifications

• Prior experience as a Controller, Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, or in a similar hands-on accounting role.
• Strong QuickBooks experience is required.
• Solid experience with accounts receivable, accounts payable, general ledger maintenance, bank reconciliations, payroll, and month-end preparation.
• Experience maintaining accounting records through trial balance.
• Experience working with an outside CPA on financial reporting and accounting matters.
• Strong A/R skills, including cash application, collections, account reconciliation, and discrepancy resolution.
• Experience in a small-business environment, ideally within distribution, wholesale, or a related industry.
• ADP payroll experience is preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and general Microsoft Office skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and time management.
• Ability to communicate effectively with ownership, customers, vendors, employees, warehouse personnel, and outside service providers.
• A Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is preferred.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional who takes pride in maintaining accurate books, staying ahead of deadlines, and resolving issues before they become larger problems. Someone who is comfortable wearing multiple hats, working independently, and taking full responsibility for the accounting function will thrive in this environment.

Compensation & Work Arrangement

• Base salary: $100,000–$120,000, depending on experience.
• Additional compensation: Discretionary bonus and profit-sharing opportunity.
• Schedule: On-site, five days per week.
• Location: Paramus, NJ area.

If you're an experienced accounting professional looking for a hands-on Controller role where you can make a meaningful contribution to an established, privately owned business, we'd welcome the opportunity to connect.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply or reach out directly to learn more.