Controller

Controller Position

The Controller will serve as a key finance leader within a ~$200M revenue, private equitybacked industrial distribution business. This role is responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, cash flow management, audit execution, and acquisition integration. The Controller will partner closely with the CFO, private equity sponsors, lenders, and external advisors to ensure disciplined financial management, accurate reporting, and strong internal controls in a fast-paced, transaction-oriented environment. The ideal candidate brings a blend of Big 4 public accounting experience and hands-on operational accounting leadership, with a strong sense of urgency, ownership mentality, and the initiative to proactively improve processes and outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Accounting & Reporting
• Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger, month-end close, consolidations, and financial statement preparation
• Ensure timely, accurate GAAP-compliant financial reporting for management, lenders, and private equity sponsors
• Lead the preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial packages, including variance analysis and KPI reporting
• Track, document, and report EBITDA adjustments in accordance with credit agreements and sponsor requirements
• Own all corporate tax responsibilities, including income, sales/use, and property taxes; oversee compliance, filings, and payments; coordinate with external tax advisors; and ensure timely, accurate reporting and audit readiness.
• Cash Flow & Liquidity Management
• Own weekly cash flow reporting and management, including preparation and maintenance of a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast
• Proactively monitor liquidity, working capital trends, and cash conversion cycles
• Partner with operations and leadership to identify cash optimization opportunities
• Banking & Debt Covenant Management
• Prepare and manage all borrowing base, bank covenant, and lender reporting requirements
• Monitor compliance with financial covenants and proactively flag risks or improvement opportunities
• Act as a primary finance point of contact for banks and debt providers, in coordination with the CFO
• Audit & Technical Accounting Leadership
• Lead all external audits (financial statement audit, lender audit, and PE-related reviews), serving as the primary liaison with external auditors
• Manage technical accounting matters including revenue recognition, acquisition accounting, inventory valuation, lease accounting, and reserves
• Ensure a strong internal control environment and drive continuous improvement in accounting policies and procedures
• M&A, Acquisition Integration & Fund Flow Management
• Lead opening balance sheet establishment, purchase accounting support, and Day 1 readiness for acquisitions
• Partner with FP&A and operations on post-acquisition integration, including accounting processes, systems alignment, and reporting cadence
• Manage acquisition-related fund flow tracking, sources and uses reporting, and transaction-level cash flow documentation
• Team Leadership & Process Improvement
• Develop, mentor, and manage the accounting team, fostering accountability, urgency, and high performance
• Identify and implement process improvements, automation opportunities, and system enhancements to scale the finance function
• Support the CFO with ad hoc analysis, special projects, and sponsor-driven initiatives

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (Master's degree and/or CPA strongly preferred)
• 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, including:
• Big 4 public accounting experience (strongly preferred)
• Experience in private equitybacked, leveraged, or sponsor-owned environments
• Prior experience in industrial distribution, manufacturing, or closely related sectors preferred
• Demonstrated experience with:
• Cash flow forecasting and liquidity management
• Debt covenant reporting and lender interactions
• Audit leadership and technical accounting
• Acquisition accounting and post-close integration
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal control best practices
• Experience with Sage & SAP helpful
• Fluency in Spanish helpful

Core Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Sense of Urgency: Operates with speed, discipline, and responsiveness in a deadline-driven PE environment
• Self-Motivated: Takes ownership of outcomes and drives work to completion with minimal direction
• High Initiative: Proactively identifies issues, solutions, and opportunities for improvement
• Hands-On Mentality: Comfortable operating both strategically and in the details
• Strong Communicator: Clear, concise communicator with executives, sponsors, auditors, and lenders
• Analytical & Business-Oriented: Able to translate financial data into actionable business insights

Featured benefits Medical insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k), Vision insurance, Paid paternity leave, Paid maternity leave, Tuition assistance