Director of Finance

ControllerPrivately Held Company | St. Louis, MOPosition Overview: The Controller leads the company's day-to-day accounting and financial operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting while building scalable processes to support growth. This is a highly hands-on role responsible for full-cycle accounting, internal controls, and close management, while partnering closely with ownership and operational leaders on financial insights, cash flow, and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate thrives in a small-company environment, takes strong ownership of outcomes, and balances execution with continuous improvement.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the full accounting function, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and inventory accountingLead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and balance sheet integrityPrepare and review GAAP-compliant financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and variance analysisMaintain accounting policies and ensure compliance with US GAAP and internal control standardsControls, Compliance & GovernanceStrengthen internal controls, reconciliations, and documentation across all accounting processesEnsure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including multi-state sales and use taxManage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, payroll providers, and other financial partnersCash Flow & Operational SupportImprove cash flow visibility and working capital management, including AR collections, AP cadence, and inventory valuationProvide financial analysis and actionable insights to leadership to support operational and strategic decisionsPartner cross-functionally with sales, operations, and supply chain on margins, pricing, cost drivers, and performance metricsSystems & Process ImprovementOwn and optimize the ERP system and related financial tools; lead system enhancements or transitions as neededImprove end-to-end accounting processes such as order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, and inventory accountingDrive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reporting accuracy, efficiency, and scalabilityLeadership & Team DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop the accounting teamEstablish clear processes, accountability, and performance standards appropriate for a growing organizationRequirementsBachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required6–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibilityStrong knowledge of full-cycle accounting, US GAAP, and financial statement preparationExperience in manufacturing, distribution, inventory-driven, or regulated environments preferredProven success improving close processes, internal controls, and reporting in a growth or change environmentHands-on ERP experience (implementation, optimization, or system transition)Experience with multi-state sales tax complianceAdvanced Excel skills; BI or reporting tool experience is a plusStrong analytical, organizational, and cross-functional communication skillsDetail-oriented, pragmatic, and comfortable operating in a small-company, fast-paced settingWhy This RoleHigh-impact controller role with broad ownership and visibilityOpportunity to build and improve processes rather than inherit rigid structuresClose partnership with leadership and influence on business decisionsStable, privately held company with growth potential