Accounting Director/Controller

Description

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Accounting Director/Controller will serve as a key financial leader with ownership of the full P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet management. This role is responsible for ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and performance of all financial operations, with direct accountability for financial reporting and controls. The ideal candidate brings strong, hands-on experience with journal entries, ERP systems, and both internal and external audits, along with a demonstrated ability to lead forecasting and FP&A activities that drive business decision-making.

In addition to leading day-to-day accounting operations—including accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, taxes, and insurance—this individual will ensure disciplined financial processes, clean audits, and effective internal controls. The Accounting Director/Controller will partner closely with senior leadership, departmental teams, and HR to support payroll, benefits administration, and operational alignment, while also contributing to board-level reporting and strategic financial planning.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Hire and train team and drive ongoing team learning initiatives 
• Organize, direct, and oversee the schedules and work of team, and approve timecards and PTO 
• Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations 
• Partner with CFO to support team’s employment lifecycle (e.g. hiring, mentorship, and performance coaching) in accordance with company policy 
• Leverage strengths of the current finance team members, help to clarify roles and responsibilities and manage the development of the team to reach optimal individual and organizational goals
• Create and promote a positive and supportive work environment

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Oversee all accounts, ledgers, and reporting systems ensuring compliance with appropriate GAAP standards and regulatory requirements in an accrual accounting environment
• Maintain internal control and safeguards for receipt of revenue, costs, program budgets and actual expenditures; actively manage cash
• Coordinate all sales tax and audit activity
• Successfully manage monthly and year-end closes
• Consistently analyze financial data and present financial reports in an accurate and timely manner; clearly communicate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements; monitor progress and changes and keep senior leadership abreast of the company’s financial status
• Drive the annual budgeting and planning process; administer and review all financial plans compared to actual results with a view to identify, explain, and correct variances as appropriate
• Work closely with the production team on COGS accounting in a manufacturing environment and manage inventories and variances closely to maintain margin targets
• Support the CFO in engaging the board around issues and trends in financial operating models and delivery
• Oversee all financial, project/program accounting – including capital expenses and R&D spending; ensure that expenditures are consistently aligned with budgets throughout the year; collate financial reporting materials for R&D tax credits
• Manage weekly cash flow forecasting and reporting to ensure adequate funding for the business
• Manage third party relationships with tax, audit, banking and insurance partners and ensure and maintain appropriate vendors are in place for the smooth functioning of the business
• Manage relationships with internal IT team members and software vendors and facilitate introductions to key team members, within the role of the accounting subject matter expert
• Manage accounting/invoicing and reporting sections of the ERP
• Contribute to departmental efforts by accomplishing related tasks as needed, and other special projects as assigned
• Maintain professional and technical knowledge 

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or equivalent is required; CPA and/or MBA is strongly preferred
• Minimum of 5-7 years of prior accounting/finance experience; preference to accounting and auditing and financial gathering, evaluating, presenting and reporting
• Previous experience in a manufacturing environment, including experience with BOM, COGS, and variance management
• Experience with coordinating audit activities, managing reporting, budget development and analysis, AP/AR, general ledger, payroll, and cost accounting; exposure to R&D accounting is a plus
• Experience with Infor/Syte Line ERP systems (or similar)
• Advanced knowledge of accounting and reporting software (Avalara, etc.) for taxation
• High level of integrity, credibility, and unwavering commitment to continuous improvement
• Highly detail oriented with a drive for accuracy
• Proactive, hands-on strategic thinker who will, in partnership with the CFO, own the responsibility for accounting 
• Keen analytic, organization, and problem-solving skills which allows for strategic data interpretation with a mind for improving company reporting and dashboards
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; experience in effectively communicating key data, including presentations to senior management, board, or other outside partners
• Ability and desire to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels including finance and non-finance managers
• Excellent time management skills, with proven ability to work independently and meet deadlines