Controller

Position Summary The Controller is a critical finance leader responsible for the integrity of financial reporting, strength of internal controls, and scalability of the accounting function. This role goes beyond traditional accounting to actively support value creation in a private equity environment driving disciplined close processes, cash flow visibility, KPI development, and audit readiness. The Controller partners closely with the CFO, executive team, and private equity sponsors to deliver timely, accurate, and decision-useful financial insights while building a best-in-class finance infrastructure to support growth and eventual exit. Position Scope Supervises finance staff (2 direct reports and 3 indirect reports). Oversees all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, inventory accounting, and financial reporting. Responsible for consolidated financial results, including balance sheet integrity and working capital management. Position Responsibility Lead and continuously improve the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process (target: 5–7 business days). Ensure timely, accurate GAAP-compliant financial statements. Produce board-quality reporting packages, including variance analysis, KPIs, and actionable insights. Maintain a robust chart of accounts and financial structure aligned with business needs and sponsor reporting. Private Equity & Management Reporting Partner with CFO to deliver monthly investor reporting, including: Budget vs. actuals Cash flow and liquidity Asset Based Loan Covenant and Certification Compliance KPI dashboards (gross margin, contribution margin, inventory turns, etc.) Support data requests from PE sponsors with speed and accuracy. Assist in building data room readiness for future transactions. Cash Flow & Working Capital Own weekly and monthly cash forecasting. Drive discipline around working capital management: Accounts receivable collections Inventory controls and reserves Accounts payable optimization Partner cross-functionally to improve cash conversion cycle. Technical Accounting & Compliance Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP. Oversee revenue recognition and inventory accounting. Manage sales tax compliance and other regulatory filings. Maintain compliance with FDA cGMP standards and other applicable regulations. Audit & Controls Lead external audit process and act as primary liaison with auditors. Strengthen and document internal controls. Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks. Ensure audit readiness and clean audit opinions. Systems & Process Improvement Evaluate and enhance financial systems. Drive automation and process efficiencies across accounting operations. Build scalable processes to support growth (organic and M&A). Budgeting & Forecasting Support annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting processes. Provide insights into cost drivers, margin improvement, and profitability.Track performance against strategic plan. Lead, develop, and scale the accounting team – AP and AR. Oversee performance management and team development. Experience & Qualifications General 7–10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience. CPA strongly preferred. Mix of public accounting and private industry experience. Experience in CPG, manufacturing, or inventory-intensive environments. Prior experience in a private equity owned company A+. Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment. Technical Skills Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP. Deep experience with: Financial close and reporting. Inventory and cost accounting. Cash flow forecasting. Advanced Excel skills a must. High attention to detail with strong ownership mindset. Ability to translate financial data into business insights. Strong communication skills with ability to interact with executives and investors. Process-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset. Comfortable with ambiguity and rapid change. Success Metrics (First 12 Months) Reduce close timeline to best-in-class standards. Deliver accurate, on-time board and investor reporting. Improve cash forecasting accuracy and working capital efficiency. Strengthen internal controls and audit readiness. Develop accounting team talent. Education Bachelor of Science in Accounting or related field. #J-18808-Ljbffr Country Life