Controller (Knoxville)

Position Overview

Miller Feinbaum Recruiting is conducting a confidential search for an experienced Controller for a well-established, growing Knoxville-based distribution company that is part of a larger, acquisition-oriented organization.

This is a key financial leadership role responsible for managing the day-to-day accounting operations of the business while supporting the financial reporting, controls, and growth objectives of the broader organization. The Controller will report directly to the local business President, with an indirect reporting relationship to corporate accounting leadership.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on accounting professional who can serve as the financial right hand to the President. This individual will own the accounting operation - managing accounting staff, leading the month-end close, and ensuring accurate books and financial reporting - while also serving as a strategic financial partner. The Controller will help develop budgets and forecasts, manage working capital and cash, and provide timely financial information to support sound business decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full-cycle accounting process, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and bank reconciliations.
• Own the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, including reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts.
• Work with corporate accounting leadership to prepare monthly financial statements, variance analyses, and management reporting packages for the President.
• Partner with the President to develop annual budgets, quarterly forecasts, and ad hoc financial analyses that support business decision-making.
• Monitor and manage working capital and cash flow, including oversight of collections, vendor payment timing, and cash positioning.
• Manage multi-state sales tax compliance, including nexus monitoring, filings, and coordination with external tax advisors.
• Support the organization's planned transition from QuickBooks Enterprise to Microsoft Dynamics under the direction of corporate accounting leadership and the project manager.
• Supervise and develop accounting staff, ensuring appropriate workload coverage, cross-training, and professional growth.
• Support external audit and tax preparation by preparing schedules and supporting documentation for the business.
• Support consolidated reporting requirements and, as the organization grows through acquisition, assist from time to time with onboarding acquired businesses onto standardized accounting processes.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate enjoys owning the accounting function for a growing business. This person is comfortable rolling up their sleeves, digging into the details, and making sure the numbers are right, while also being able to step back and help business leadership understand the broader financial picture.

This individual will be energized by the opportunity to build and improve processes in a successful small-to-mid-size business environment. The company's growth strategy also offers the potential to take on additional responsibility over time as the broader organization expands.

Required Experience

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including hands-on involvement in the full accounting cycle (AP, AR, GL, and close).
• Experience preparing financial statements, budgets, and forecasts in a small-to-mid-size business environment.
• Working knowledge of sales tax compliance across multiple states.
• Experience with ERP systems; familiarity with DDI and/or Microsoft Dynamics is a plus.
• Prior supervisory experience managing and developing at least one direct report.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with large data sets.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders.
• Self-starter who can work independently and prioritize competing demands in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in distribution, e-commerce, or wholesale.
• Exposure to a private equity-backed or acquisition-oriented environment.
• Experience with ERP implementations or migrations.
• Familiarity with the HVAC, mechanical, electrical, or related trades industry.