Controller

Location: Greater Atlanta Area (Onsite 5 days/week with some flexibility) Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Bonus Reports To: Chief Financial Officer Industry: Custom Manufacturing Revenue: $450M+ Company Overview We are a private equity-backed market leader providing complex project-based solutions to a diverse customer base across multiple industries throughout North America. The company delivers a broad range of services that combine design, engineering, production, project management, and field execution capabilities. Following a recent transformational acquisition, the organization is entering an exciting phase of growth and operational enhancement, with a strong focus on scalability, financial discipline, process improvement, and long-term value creation. Position Summary The Controller will serve as a key finance leader responsible for strengthening the accounting organization, enhancing financial reporting processes, improving operational visibility, and supporting enterprise-wide value creation initiatives. This is a highly visible role requiring a hands‑on leader who can operate strategically while driving execution. The Controller will partner closely with the CFO, executive leadership team, operations leaders, and private equity stakeholders to build a best‑in‑class accounting and reporting function capable of supporting a complex, project‑based business. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with operational finance experience, particularly within project‑based services, manufacturing, construction, engineering, or similar environments where job costing, work‑in‑process (WIP), and project profitability are critical. Key Responsibilities Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and month‑end close. Establish and maintain a disciplined, GAAP‑compliant monthly close process with timely and accurate financial reporting. Ensure the integrity of financial statements and supporting schedules. Drive continuous improvement in accounting processes, controls, and reporting efficiency. Partner with FP&A to provide meaningful financial analysis and business insights. Technical Accounting & Compliance Maintain compliance with U.S. GAAP and internal accounting policies. Oversee external audit activities and ensure successful annual audits. Strengthen internal controls and accounting governance across the organization. Prepare technical accounting analyses and documentation as needed. Ensure compliance with tax, regulatory, and reporting requirements. Project Accounting, Job Costing & Profitability Oversee project accounting and revenue recognition processes. Improve accuracy and visibility of work‑in‑process (WIP), unbilled revenue, and project profitability reporting. Partner with Operations to establish standardized job‑costing methodologies. Develop reporting that provides actionable visibility into project margins, customer profitability, and operational performance. Support initiatives focused on margin expansion and business optimization. Cash Flow & Working Capital Management Partner with the CFO to improve working capital performance. Monitor and improve accounts receivable processes, collections, billing practices, and cash conversion metrics. Enhance visibility into cash flow drivers and working capital trends. Support liquidity management initiatives and debt reduction objectives. Assist with development and monitoring of rolling cash forecasts. Evaluate existing accounting organization structure, capabilities, and staffing needs. Develop and mentor accounting team members while fostering accountability and continuous improvement. Recruit and onboard high‑performing talent where necessary. Build scalable processes and eliminate key‑person dependencies. Create a culture of ownership, collaboration, and operational excellence. Systems & Process Improvement Partner with Finance and Operations leadership to optimize ERP utilization and reporting capabilities. Support enhancements within Microsoft Dynamics 365 and related reporting tools. Implement automation and process improvements to improve efficiency and accuracy. Develop KPI dashboards and reporting that support executive decision‑making. Private Equity & Strategic Initiatives Support board, lender, and private equity reporting requirements. Assist with quality of earnings readiness, diligence support, and transaction‑related initiatives. Maintain organized documentation and support materials for audits, financing activities, and future strategic transactions. Participate in enterprise‑wide initiatives focused on value creation, scalability, and operational improvement. Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA strongly preferred. 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience. Prior Controller, Assistant Controller, or Senior Accounting Leadership experience. Experience in project‑based services, manufacturing, construction, engineering, experiential marketing, or related industries. Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls. Experience managing audits and external auditor relationships. Demonstrated success improving accounting processes, controls, and reporting infrastructure. ERP experience required; Microsoft Dynamics 365 experience highly preferred. Experience working within a private equity‑backed environment is strongly preferred. Desired Leadership Characteristics Hands‑on and execution‑oriented with strong attention to detail. Highly accountable with a sense of urgency and ownership. Strong business partner capable of influencing leaders across operations and commercial teams. Analytical, data‑driven, and focused on continuous improvement. Effective communicator with the ability to translate financial information into actionable business insights. Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, evolving environment undergoing transformation and growth. #J-18808-Ljbffr Elevate Recruiting