Business Unit Controller

Business Unit Controller

The Business Unit Controller serves as the senior accounting leader for an assigned business unit. This individual partners closely with FP&A, divisional leadership, and operational leaders to provide financial insight, ensure accurate financial reporting, maintain strong internal controls, and support strategic operational decision-making.

The successful candidate will possess strong technical accounting knowledge combined with commercial acumen and operational experience. This role requires a hands-on leader capable of driving process improvements, supporting business growth, managing a high-performing accounting team, and serving as a trusted financial consultant to operational leadership by translating financial and operational performance into actionable business decisions.

The Business Unit Controller is responsible for ensuring compliance with U.S. GAAP, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), Company policies, and internal controls while supporting strategic initiatives and operational excellence. This role will also play a leadership role in partnering with FP&A, Operations, Accounting, and IT to implement SAP as the division's ERP platform, redesign business and accounting processes, and improve the quality, efficiency, and scalability of financial and operational reporting.

Key Responsibilities

The responsibilities below are representative of the role and are not intended to be all-inclusive.

• Provide financial leadership for the accounting and controllership activities of an assigned business unit, ensuring timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Partner closely with FP&A and divisional leadership to provide financial analysis, operational insights, and strategic recommendations that improve profitability, productivity, cash flow, and return on invested capital. Serve as a trusted financial consultant to business leaders by translating financial and operational results into actionable business decisions.
• Collaborate with FP&A to develop meaningful financial and operational KPIs, perform variance analysis, evaluate business performance, and provide decision support to operational leadership.
• Lead the monthly close process, including review of journal entries, account reconciliations, financial statements, and variance analysis.
• Maintain effective systems of internal controls to ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and Company policies.
• Ensure the integrity of the business unit's balance sheet through timely reconciliations, review of significant accounting estimates, and resolution of complex accounting matters.
• Develop, implement, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls that support operational efficiency, financial accuracy, and scalable business growth.
• Demonstrate expert knowledge of ASC 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers), including the ability to interpret and implement accounting guidance, evaluate complex contract structures, establish compliant revenue recognition processes, advise business leaders on accounting implications of commercial arrangements, and maintain strong internal controls over revenue recognition.
• Review and analyze financial performance, key operating metrics, and business trends in partnership with FP&A to identify risks, opportunities, and operational improvement initiatives.
• Partner with FP&A, Operations, Sales, Supply Chain, Procurement, Shared Services, Corporate Finance, and IT to improve financial performance, optimize business processes, and support strategic initiatives.
• Lead and develop the divisional accounting team by establishing performance expectations, coaching team members, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with FP&A to support the annual budgeting process, quarterly forecasts, long-range planning, and monthly business reviews by ensuring accounting results, operational drivers, and financial reporting are aligned.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on process optimization, automation, standardization, and financial close acceleration while improving the accuracy, consistency, and availability of operational and financial data used for decision making.
• Serve as the accounting lead for the implementation of SAP as the division's ERP platform by partnering with FP&A, Operations, IT, and Corporate Finance to define business requirements, redesign business processes, validate financial reporting, support testing, and ensure a successful implementation.
• Partner with FP&A, Operations, and IT to streamline accounting and operational processes, standardize workflows, strengthen internal controls, improve data integrity, and maximize SAP capabilities to support scalable growth and operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with Internal Audit and external auditors to support audit activities and ensure compliance with internal control requirements.
• Support mergers, acquisitions, business integrations, finance transformation initiatives, and other strategic projects by ensuring appropriate accounting treatment, financial integration, operational readiness, and process standardization.
• Build strong relationships across the organization while serving as a trusted financial advisor and business partner to operational leadership.

The Ideal Candidate Will Have Successfully Demonstrated the Roles and Responsibilities Outlined Above and Should Possess the Following Knowledge and Technical Experience

• Establish and maintain accounting processes that ensure financial reporting is accurate, timely, and in compliance with U.S. GAAP and Company policies.
• Maintain a strong internal control environment by identifying financial risks, implementing appropriate controls, and ensuring compliance with SOX requirements.
• Lead all aspects of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes while maintaining balance sheet integrity and delivering high-quality financial reporting.
• Analyze financial and operational results in partnership with FP&A, providing business leaders with actionable insights, performance trends, and recommendations that improve operational execution and financial performance.
• Partner effectively with FP&A and business leaders across Operations, Sales, Supply Chain, Shared Services, IT, and Corporate Finance to provide financial consultation, support strategic initiatives, and improve operational decision-making.
• Interpret accounting guidance, evaluate complex accounting transactions, and coordinate with Corporate Accounting on technical accounting matters and implementation of new accounting standards.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that streamline accounting and operational processes, automate manual activities, improve reporting capabilities, strengthen financial controls, and increase organizational efficiency.
• Lead the accounting workstream for SAP implementation by collaborating with FP&A, Operations, and IT to improve business processes, financial reporting, system controls, master data, and operational workflows while supporting mergers, acquisitions, finance transformation initiatives, and other strategic projects.
• Successfully lead, mentor, and develop high-performing accounting teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment while consistently delivering accurate, timely, and high-quality results.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders, external auditors, consultants, and business partners while effectively influencing cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrate a strong controls and risk-based mindset while maintaining the highest standards of financial integrity, operational excellence, and business partnership.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibilities within a complex, multi-location organization.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• CPA certification required.
• Strong background in financial accounting, operational accounting, financial reporting, internal controls, and U.S. GAAP.
• Experience in distribution, manufacturing, building products, or other multi-site operating environments preferred.
• Public accounting experience (Big Four or national public accounting firm) preferred.
• Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, cost accounting, fixed assets, lease accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Experience leading or participating in large-scale ERP implementations (SAP strongly preferred), including business process redesign, financial system testing, data validation, and cross-functional project leadership with Accounting, FP&A, Operations, and IT.
• Strong proficiency with ERP systems, financial reporting tools, and advanced Microsoft Excel.
• Proven leadership, communication, project management, and change management skills with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic business partner who combines strong technical accounting expertise with commercial acumen, operational finance experience, and a passion for continuous process improvement.

This revision elevates the role from a traditional Controller to a strategic finance leader by emphasizing partnership with FP&A, consultation with operational leaders, SAP implementation leadership, business process transformation, and cross-functional collaboration while preserving the core accounting and controllership responsibilities.

Compensation and Benefits

Reports To Division Controller

Compensation The listed pay range reflects the expected base rate for this position. Within the range, individual pay may vary based on experience, qualifications, and work location within state. This is a full-time position with competitive pay and benefits.

• Base: $180,000 - $200,000 per year
• Bonus: 20% Target Bonus
• Total Compensation