Controller - Distribution

Job Description

Job Description

Controller - Distribution

Company Overview

CUI, headquartered in Simpsonville, SC, was founded in 1978, CUI is a leading wholesale distributor serving the hearth, outdoor living, propane gas equipment, and tankless water heater industries. Family-owned and customer-focused, CUI partners with many of the industry's most trusted manufacturers to provide dealers and distributors with quality products, exceptional technical support, and industry-leading service across the United States.

We are seeking a Controller to join our team! This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and will have Credit and AR Manager as their direct reports. This position is responsible for overseeing an 180M multi-location distribution platform, responsible for all accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance functions. This role ensures the integrity of financial information, supports operational decision-making, and builds scalable processes to support growth. The ideal candidate brings strong distribution industry experience, expertise in inventory accounting, and the leadership capability to elevate a growing accounting team.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Close Leadership

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes (target: 4–5 business days).
• Prepare accurate and review GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Oversee account reconciliations and general ledger integrity.
• Deliver executive-level financial analysis, reporting packages and KPI dashboards.
• Coordinate year-end Review and tax preparation.

Inventory Accounting

• Oversee inventory accounting across multiple warehouses.
• Monitor and evaluate inventory reserves, obsolescence, shrinkage, and cycle count accuracy.
• Ensure strong controls around purchasing, receiving, and inventory movement.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain and enhance internal control framework.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, state tax, sales tax, and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and document accounting policies and procedures.
• Lead audit readiness and manage external auditor relationships.

Cash Flow & Working Capital Management

• Drive working capital performance through strategic oversight of AR, AP, and credit functions.
• Monitor cash flow.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Optimize ERP and accounting systems for scalability.
• Lead process automation initiatives.
• Improve reporting dashboards and KPIs.
• Partner with IT on system upgrades and integrations.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Partnership

• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational partnership.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
• Provide financial insights to support pricing and margin strategies.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting
• CPA or CMA preferred
• 7–12+ years of progressive accounting experience
• 3–5+ years in a leadership role
• Experience in distribution, wholesale, or product-based company ($100M+ revenue)
• Strong inventory accounting expertise
• ERP experience (e.g., Infor SX.e, NetSuite, Microsoft Dynamics, etc...)
• Advanced Excel skills

Preferred

• Experience with multi-location operations
• Process automation / system implementation experience

Leadership Competencies

• High integrity and accountability
• Strategic yet hands-on leadership style
• Process-oriented and detail-driven
• Strong communicator across all levels of the organization
• Continuous improvement mindset

Why Join Us?

• Named one of the Best Places to Work in South Carolina six consecutive years
• Stable and growing $180M distribution platform
• Opportunity to build scalable accounting infrastructure
• High visibility with executive leadership
• Significant impact on operational and financial performance
• Growth potential into VP Finance or CFO track

If you are interested in joining the CUI team, we want to hear from you. We offer a competitive salary, full benefits package including medical, dental, holiday pay, 401K, and paid time off (PTO) along with additional company-sponsored programs.