Corporate Controller

Corporate Controller

A leading sustainable manufacturer serving the automotive and industrial markets in the US and international markets is looking to hire a corporate controller. With nearly 40 years of company history, this private company has corporate centers located in greater Mobile, Alabama and Dallas, Texas. The corporate controller can sit in either Dallas, TX or Daphne, AL. The corporate controller will be joining a global corporation. The controller will build a strong finance team to help drive key process and reporting enhancements, standardize accounting policies and procedures, improve financial controls, and implement the necessary technical tools to streamline and simplify the accounting and financial reporting functions. The goal is to accelerate delivery of accurate financial information to senior management and those charged with running the business, as well as to the key equity owners and lenders. The controller will play a critical role as the company continues to expand its global footprint. He/she will lead a team of accounting and finance professionals and their respective staffs, to establish consistent and clear financial policies and sound financial controls, communicate and implement the vision and objectives of the finance organization in support of the company's overall strategy. Working closely with the chief accounting officer, the CFO, and others on the senior management team, this role will be responsible for driving the migration of the organization toward global compliance with GAAP and international accounting standards where appropriate. This position will manage and direct staff in diverse activities including general accounting, cost accounting, accounts payables, enterprise resource planning projects, all legal/transactional activities such as cash management and disbursements, internal control, foreign exchange management, and tax-related accounting. It is also the responsibility of the controller to help drive the standardization of accounting policies and procedures across the global organization, and drive adoption of best practices as relates to cost accounting and other financial accounting matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure financial controls, processes, and reporting surpass audit scrutiny.
• Drive process improvements in the monthly close cycle to significantly reduce cycle time and improve quality.
• Collaborate with the CAO, CFO, and senior management to establish a finance function vision that aligns with North America strategy and implement a tactical plan to achieve it.
• Build and manage a strong global finance team.
• Foster collaboration while embracing diverse perspectives.
• Encourage participation in strategy sessions and constructive feedback.
• Take ownership of talent management by recruiting, training, and managing staff performance to build a world-class finance organization leveraging best practices.
• Partner with outside auditors to ensure compliance with US GAAP, international accounting standards, and all financial requirements of private equity owners and lenders.
• Develop processes and procedures to deliver accurate, timely, and insightful financial data for informed decision-making.
• Ability to travel and spend time in both Daphne, AL and Dallas, TX.
• Manage a team of 3 employees.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• The individual must:
  • Own the controller function for North America and support the CAO globally.
  • Be a CPA with experience in a private equity-backed or publicly traded global manufacturing environment, ideally with early experience in a Big 4 accounting firm.
  • Have extensive experience in a complex, growing global organization.
• Possess expertise in:
  • GAAP.
  • Cost accounting.
  • Compliance initiatives.
  • (Bonus) International tax, treasury, and financial accounting system implementation.
  • Hold a CPA, MBA, or master's in accounting or Tax (preferred).

Key Attributes

• Global Perspective: Effectively manage across multiple countries, understanding local business practices, tax laws, and legal/reporting requirements.
• Systems Thinking: Recognize and evaluate the impact of decisions on multiple organizations, operating units, and outcomes in global financial operations.
• Professional Integrity: Maintain ethical boundaries, avoiding conflicts of interest or any appearance of impropriety.

Qualifications Education and Certifications:

• CPA certification required.
• MBA or master's degree in accounting or Tax preferred.

Professional Experience:

• Extensive experience in a global manufacturing environment.
• Proven track record in senior finance leadership roles, ideally within decentralized global organizations.
• Background in private equity-backed or publicly traded companies.
• Early career experience in a Big 4 accounting firm preferred.
• Expertise in implementing financial processes and systems across global organizations.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex organizations undergoing growth and change.

Technical Expertise:

• Deep knowledge of GAAP and cost accounting principles.
• Familiarity with compliance initiatives and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience with financial accounting system implementation is a plus.
• Exposure to international tax and treasury operations is beneficial.

Leadership Skills:

• Strong project management capabilities with a history of driving process improvements.
• Ability to build, manage, and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Skilled in aligning financial strategy with business objectives.

Analytical and Strategic Thinking:

• Competency in systems thinking to evaluate the impact of decisions on global financial operations.
• Capacity to create and improve processes that ensure accurate and timely financial data.

Interpersonal and Professional Attributes:

• Exceptional integrity with a commitment to ethical behavior and avoiding conflicts of interest.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, for collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong global perspective with an understanding of international business practices and cultural nuances.