Controller

Great Controller opportunity with a growing employee‑owned (ESOP) business. The company has been around for 50+ years, offering stability and high visibility in this role. Compensation 140k - 160k + bonus Financial Leadership & Strategy Partner with the CEO / President on financial strategy, long‑range planning, and capital allocation Provide financial insights to support pricing, vendor negotiations, branch performance, and growth initiatives Translate financial results into actionable insights for operations, sales, and executive leadership Support M&A activity, including due diligence, integration planning, and financial modeling (as applicable) Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes with a focus on accuracy, timeliness, and transparency Prepare and review GAAP‑compliant financial statements and management reporting packages Lead the development and refinement of accounting policies and procedures Ensure strong internal controls and governance Provide leadership over inventory accounting, valuation, and reserves Analyze gross margin trends by branch, product line, and vendor Partner with operations to improve inventory turns, freight recovery, and working capital efficiency Support forecasting and demand planning initiatives Budgeting, Forecasting & Performance Management Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts in collaboration with department leaders Develop KPIs and dashboards to measure financial and operational performance Monitor performance against budget and proactively identify risks and opportunities Support scenario modeling and sensitivity analyses Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting and finance team Build scalable processes and organizational capabilities to support growth Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and employee ownership Systems & Process Improvement Partner with the CEO / President and IT to optimize ERP and financial systems Drive automation, reporting enhancements, and process efficiencies Support system upgrades, integrations, and data integrity initiatives Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills and Abilities) Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance 8–12+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience CPA, CMA, or MBA (preferred) Experience with QuickBooks Experience in distribution, wholesale, or inventory‑intensive businesses Multi‑location or branch‑based operating environment experience (preferred) Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and cross‑functional initiatives Exposure to banking relationships, credit facilities, and covenant compliance Experience supporting strategic initiatives such as mergers and acquisitions, expansions, or system implementations Skills and Competencies Strong command of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls Advanced Excel and ERP system expertise Strategic mindset with the ability to remain hands‑on Strong business acumen and operational curiosity Clear communicator with the ability to influence at the executive level High integrity and commitment to employee ownership principles Proven readiness to grow into broader financial leadership responsibilities #J-18808-Ljbffr