Controller

Industry: Private Equity-backed Industrial Distribution Company
Role: Controller
Salary: $175,000 - $200,000

Location: Remote (must be USA based - travel required)

About the role: A rapidly growing, multi-entity operating platform is seeking a Controller to lead its accounting function during a period of sustained expansion and frequent business acquisitions. This role will be responsible for ensuring strong financial discipline while supporting ongoing structural change as new operating units are added.

The Controller will oversee all core accounting activities and ensure financial information is accurate, timely, and compliant with applicable standards across a portfolio of businesses. In addition to managing day-to-day operations, the role will be heavily involved in integration efforts, standardizing processes and systems to support long-term scalability.

Working closely with senior finance leadership, the Controller will help manage financial close processes, reporting, audit and tax coordination, and acquisition-related accounting activities. This position requires a balance of hands-on execution, people leadership, and the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, transaction-oriented environment.

This opportunity is well suited for an experienced accounting leader who enjoys building infrastructure, strengthening controls, and guiding teams through periods of change while maintaining high standards of accuracy and reliability.

Responsibilities:

• Lead overall accounting operations across multiple business units, including close, reporting, payables, receivables, and cash management
• Maintain consistent accounting policies, internal controls, and financial procedures across the organization
• Oversee monthly and annual close processes, with a focus on improving efficiency and reliability over time
• Support accounting work related to acquisitions, including opening balances, integration activities, and coordination with external advisors
• Prepare regular financial reporting and cash flow analysis for internal stakeholders
• Manage banking relationships and ensure appropriate controls and access governance
• Partner with finance leadership on system selection, ERP usage, and reporting enhancements
• Coordinate audit, tax, and compliance activities to ensure timely and accurate submissions
• Develop and manage a scalable chart of accounts and consolidation structure
• Identify accounting risks and integration priorities following transactions
• Hire, train, and mentor accounting staff, fostering accountability and technical proficiency

Background & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance; CPA required
• Significant progressive experience in accounting leadership roles with responsibility for close, reporting, and controls
• Exposure to acquisition activity and post-transaction integration required .
• Experience in operationally complex, transaction-heavy environments such as distribution, industrials, or manufacturing
• Strong understanding of core accounting areas including inventory, revenue recognition, working capital, and cost accounting
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems and multi-entity reporting
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage priorities, and communicate effectively with both financial and non-financial stakeholders
• High standards of integrity, attention to detail, and ownership mindset

Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.