Financial Controller

Job Description

Job Description

The Financial Controller is a key member of the leadership team responsible for directing all financial and accounting activities for a manufacturing operation. Reporting to the General Manager and/or Director of Finance, the Financial Controller provides strategic financial leadership, ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, maintains compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements, and drives financial controls that support operational and business objectives.

This position oversees all accounting functions including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, inventory accounting, cost accounting, fixed assets, payroll oversight, internal controls, tax reporting, cash management, and financial analysis. The Controller will partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Human Resources, and executive leadership to support profitable growth and continuous improvement initiatives within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, develop, and manage the Finance and Accounting team.
• Establish performance objectives and provide ongoing coaching, training, and development opportunities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and financial discipline.
• Serve as a trusted business partner to plant leadership and executive management.

Financial Reporting & Month-End Close

• Direct and manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP and/or IFRS requirements.
• Review financial results and provide meaningful analysis of variances, trends, risks, and opportunities.
• Prepare management reports that summarize current business performance and forecast future financial results.
• Present financial performance and recommendations to senior leadership.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process and coordinate departmental budget development.
• Review budget submissions, challenge assumptions, and provide supporting financial analysis.
• Develop rolling forecasts and long-range financial plans.
• Monitor actual performance against budget and identify corrective actions when necessary.
• Support strategic planning initiatives through financial modeling and scenario analysis.

Cost Accounting & Manufacturing Finance

• Maintain and improve cost accounting systems and processes.
• Ensure accuracy of standard costs, inventory valuation, labor absorption, and manufacturing variances.
• Analyze production costs, material usage, labor efficiency, and overhead expenses.
• Partner with Operations leadership to identify cost reduction opportunities and improve profitability.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives through financial analysis and ROI evaluation.

Inventory & Fixed Asset Management

• Lead and coordinate annual physical inventory activities.
• Ensure accurate inventory valuation and compliance with company policies.
• Investigate and resolve inventory discrepancies and accounting variances.
• Manage accounting and reporting related to Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E).
• Oversee capital expenditure tracking and capital budget management.
• Evaluate capital investment requests and provide financial analysis and ROI assessments.
• Monitor fixed asset additions, disposals, depreciation, and impairment reviews.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain a comprehensive system of internal controls to safeguard company assets.
• Develop, document, and enforce accounting policies and procedures.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, IFRS, corporate accounting policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external audits and ensure timely resolution of findings.
• Establish and monitor financial controls to support operational and corporate objectives.

Balance Sheet & Reconciliation Management

• Ensure proper classification, valuation, and existence of all balance sheet accounts.
• Oversee monthly account reconciliations and review supporting documentation.
• Investigate, resolve, and document unreconciled variances in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance with period-end closing and reporting requirements.

Regulatory & Corporate Reporting

• Prepare and submit required financial, tax, and regulatory reports.
• Ensure compliance with sales and use tax requirements.
• Support environmental reporting and other compliance-related financial attestations.
• Coordinate corporate financial reporting packages and required analysis.
• Serve as the primary financial contact during audits and regulatory reviews.

Cash Management & Treasury

• Monitor cash flow, liquidity, and working capital performance.
• Oversee banking relationships and cash management activities.
• Support collection efforts, credit management, and accounts receivable performance.
• Develop recommendations to improve cash flow and financial performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Human Resources, Quality, and Engineering teams.
• Provide financial analysis supporting strategic and operational decisions.
• Assist leadership in evaluating new business opportunities, capital investments, and operational improvements.
• Support business initiatives that improve profitability, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.

Required Qualifications Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field required.
• CPA, CMA, MBA, or other professional certification preferred.

Experience

• Minimum of 8 years of progressively responsible accounting and finance experience.
• Prior leadership experience managing accounting and finance personnel.
• Manufacturing industry experience required.
• Aerospace manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with cost accounting, inventory accounting, and standard costing systems.
• Experience working with ERP systems and integrated financial reporting platforms.
• Demonstrated experience supporting operational leadership in a manufacturing environment.

Technical Knowledge

Candidates should possess strong working knowledge of:

• GAAP and/or IFRS accounting standards
• Cost accounting and standard costing
• Inventory valuation and controls
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial statement preparation and analysis
• Internal controls and audit practices
• Fixed asset accounting
• Capital expenditure management
• Cash management and treasury functions
• Payroll accounting
• Tax reporting requirements
• ERP systems and financial reporting tools

Core Competencies Leadership

• Strong people-management and team-development skills.
• Ability to influence and build relationships across all organizational levels.
• Commitment to accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement.

Communication

• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate complex financial information to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Strong partnership and collaboration abilities.

Analytical Skills

• Advanced financial and accounting analysis capabilities.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Ability to develop actionable recommendations from complex financial data.

Organizational Skills

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong project management and organizational capabilities.

Working Environment & Compliance

• Maintain a safe, organized, and professional work environment.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, quality standards, and safety requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives throughout the organization.
• Adhere to all regulatory, ethics, and compliance requirements.

ITAR / Export Compliance Requirement

Employment with the company is subject to compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Access to controlled technology and facilities may be limited to U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or individuals otherwise authorized under applicable U.S. export control regulations. Successful candidates must be eligible to satisfy all export compliance and screening requirements as a condition of employment.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal Financial Controller is a hands-on manufacturing finance leader who combines strong technical accounting expertise with business acumen. This individual will possess deep experience in cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls, and financial reporting while serving as a strategic partner to operations leadership. The successful candidate will have a proven ability to improve processes, drive accountability, support operational excellence, and help the organization achieve its financial and growth objectives.