Controller

Controller - Apopka, FL

Company: LiveTrends Design Group

Location: Apopka, FL

Position: Controller

Department: Accounting

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt ( Salaried )

ABOUT US

LiveTrends Design Group is a recognized leader in the global home dcor industry, bringing inspiration, creativity, and joy to more than 13 million homes each year. By blending the timeless beauty of Nature with the power of Art, we create distinctive products and experiences that are redefining the home dcor landscape across North America and Europe.

Driven by innovation, exceptional design, and a passion for excellence, our brands: LiveTrends, Urban Jungle, and BeYouare trusted by many of the world's leading retailers, including Lowe's, Target, Costco, Kroger, Trader Joe's, Wegmans, Publix, and more.

Just as importantly, we've built a workplace culture as remarkable as the products we create. LiveTrends was recently recognized as a Top Workplace and earned additional Top Workplace Culture Excellence Awards for Leadership, Purpose & Values, Innovation, Employee Appreciation, and Professional Development...an achievement that reflects our commitment to developing great people, fostering creativity, and building an environment where employees can thrive. At LiveTrends, we're not just creating products for homes...we're creating opportunities for talented people to grow, innovate, and make a meaningful impact every day.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

Financial Leadership & Management

The Controller is a senior finance leader responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance for LiveTrends Design Group. This role partners closely with Operations, Sales, Logistics, and HR to provide accurate financial insights that support operational decision-making, workforce planning, inventory management, and growth initiatives. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-driven, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, floral, perishables, manufacturing, and distribution environment with high volume transactions.

Financial Reporting & General Ledger Management

Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll accounting, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and cost accounting

• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Lead the monthly close process, including reconciliations, accruals, and variance analysis
• Prepare financial reporting packages for executive leadership, including insights on margin, labor, inventory, and operational performance
• Ensure inter-company transactions and eliminations are accurately recorded and reconciled across the multi-entity structure.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Support

• Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts
• Partner with department leaders on workforce planning, including full-time vs. seasonal labor cost modeling
• Provide financial analysis to support capital investments, headcount planning, and operational initiatives
• Support long-range financial planning and growth strategies

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team
• Set clear expectations, performance goals, and development plans
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration

Audit and Internal Controls:

• Serve as a primary contact for external auditors, managing audit schedules and providing necessary documentation.
• Develop, document, and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting across all entities, focusing specifically on control points for WIP and Inventory.

Technical Accounting & Compliance WIP and Inventory Management:

• Oversee the cost accounting function, including the development and maintenance of standard costs, variance analysis, and monitoring overhead absorption.
• Manage the valuation, impairment, and reconciliation of Work in Progress ( WIP ) accounts, ensuring accurate cost accumulation and revenue recognition.
• Direct the periodic physical inventory counts and cycle count program, ensuring proper valuation methodologies are applied ( e.g., FIFO, Weighted Average ).

Asset Lifecycle Management:

• Recording and capitalizing the total cost of new assets, including purchase price, installation, and any related costs.
• Maintaining a centralized, accurate fixed asset register with details like asset ID, location, condition, and responsible department. This often includes conducting periodic physical inventories.
• Reporting of capital projects for Balance Sheet and Income Statement transactions.
• Calculating and recording depreciation using appropriate accounting methods to accurately reflect the asset's value on the balance sheet.
• Managing the process of asset disposals at the end of their useful life and correctly recording any gain or loss.

Risk & Relationship Management Banking and Treasury:

• Manage and reconcile banking relationships, including monitoring cash position across all entities, approving wire transfers, and overseeing foreign currency transactions (if applicable).
• Support the COO/CFO in managing debt covenants and ensuring compliance with loan agreements.

Insurance:

• Oversee the financial aspects of the company's insurance programs ( Property & Casualty, D&O, General Liability, etc .), including annual renewals, managing audits, and ensuring adequate coverage for all assets and liabilities.

Vendor and Contract Management: Collaborate with Purchasing and Procurement Teams to ensure vendor contracts and service agreements are reviewed and managed effectively from a financial perspective ( e.g., payment terms, financial stability ).

SPECIFIC SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinker with strong business acumen
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
• Comfortable balancing hands-on work with leadership responsibilities
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• High integrity and commitment to accuracy and compliance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 7 years in a management role.
• Must have strong, hands-on experience with cost accounting, WIP, and Inventory valuation in a manufacturing, construction, or project-based environment.
• Proven experience managing financial reporting, transactions and consolidation for a multi-entity, multi-currency, and multi-country organization.
• Deep knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ( GAAP ).
• Advanced proficiency with ERP systems ( preferably SAP platforms ) and Microsoft Excel.
• Experience implementing or upgrading ERP systems.
• Exceptional leadership and personnel management skills.
• High degree of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex financial information clearly.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.

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