Interim Corporate Controller (Chicago)

Overview

Our client is seeking a highly experienced Financial Controller to lead global accounting, financial reporting, compliance, and operational finance activities for a rapidly growing multinational organization with operations across multiple entities and jurisdictions. This position will partner closely with executive leadership and play a critical role in public company reporting, technical accounting, internal controls, and financial integration initiatives.

This is an onsite leadership opportunity for an accounting professional who thrives in a complex, high-growth environment and has deep expertise in public company reporting, consolidations, and multi-entity operations.

We are looking for someone who would like to 6-month engagement and is comfortable working in downtown Chicago (remote candidates will not be considered).

Top Requirements

• CPA required
• Prior experience within a publicly traded company environment required
• Candidates coming from public accounting with significant SEC/public company audit experience will also be considered
• Experience supporting complex, multi-entity organizations with international operations
• Strong knowledge of SEC reporting, U.S. GAAP, and SOX compliance
• Manufacturing, technology/SaaS, industrial, or similarly complex business experience strongly preferred
• Experience with acquisitions, integrations, and rapidly growing organizations strongly preferred

Key Responsibilities

SEC Reporting & Technical Accounting

• Lead the preparation and review of quarterly and annual filings, including all required public company disclosures.
• Ensure compliance with SEC reporting requirements, U.S. GAAP, and other applicable financial reporting standards.
• Research and document technical accounting matters and changing accounting regulations.
• Coordinate all external audit activities, quarterly reviews, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Maintain compliance with corporate governance standards and financial reporting requirements.

Internal Controls & SOX Compliance

• Oversee and strengthen the company's internal control environment.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and document accounting policies, procedures, and controls.
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to address audit findings and compliance matters.

Global Consolidations & Financial Operations

• Lead the consolidation of multiple domestic and international entities.
• Ensure accurate intercompany accounting, eliminations, and foreign currency translation processes.
• Oversee general ledger activities and month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Direct core accounting functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and fixed assets.
• Maintain compliance with applicable tax reporting requirements and collaborate with external advisors.

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting

• Oversee cost accounting activities, including inventory valuation, standard costing, and variance analysis.
• Partner with operations leaders to improve operational reporting and profitability analysis.
• Monitor inventory controls, manufacturing costs, and related financial performance metrics.
• Ensure accurate accounting treatment of production and operational activities.

Strategic Finance & Business Partnership

• Partner with executive leadership to support financial strategy and long-term growth initiatives.
• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and variance analysis.
• Deliver actionable financial insights to support operational decision-making and profitability improvements.
• Support acquisition accounting, business integrations, and organizational growth initiatives.

Process Improvement & Systems

• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen reporting accuracy and efficiency.
• Lead accounting and finance transformation initiatives, including automation and system enhancements.
• Optimize financial processes across multiple business units and geographic locations.

Team Leadership

• Foster consistency in accounting practices across entities and business units.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, supply chain, finance, and executive stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Active CPA required.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 3+ years of Controller or Assistant Controller leadership experience.
• Strong SEC reporting and public company accounting experience.
• Deep understanding of U.S. GAAP and SOX compliance.
• Experience leading multi-entity and multi-currency consolidations.
• Strong manufacturing and cost accounting experience.
• Experience working in complex ERP environments.
• Proven leadership experience within a dynamic, fast-paced organization.
• Acquisition accounting and post-acquisition integration experience.
• Experience in high-growth organizations.
• Familiarity with ASC 606 revenue recognition.
• Exposure to both product-based and service-based business models.
• Experience supporting international operations.