Exploring, LLC - Controller

Role Description

We are seeking a full-time Controller with a CPA to join our team at Exploring, LLC . This is an on-site role based in Atlanta, GA. The Controller will oversee all financial activities, including budgeting, financial reporting, audits, and ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations. The individual will analyze financial data, manage cash flow, and contribute to strategic financial planning. Collaborating with management, the Controller will provide insights to support decision-making and improve the financial performance of the company.

We are seeking a high-impact, hands-on Controller to lead our finance and accounting function during a period of scalable growth. This isn't just a "numbers" role; you will be a vital operational partner to the CFO and leadership team, transforming raw data into actionable insights across our manufacturing and distribution footprint. If you thrive on tightening processes, mastering complex inventory, and building a culture of accountability, we want to hear from you.

Operating Model: All business operations are U.S.-based. Our India office functions as an accounting shared services team handling most transactional processing. This role owns governance and controls, and ensures close coordination between the U.S. and India teams.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Close Management

• Close Leadership: Lead the month-end, quarterly, and year-end close processes to ensure the delivery of timely, GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Insightful Reporting: Develop KPI-driven reporting packages (beyond standard P&L and balance sheet) to provide leadership with a clear view of cash flow and variance trends.
• Planning Support: Support budgeting/forecasting and monthly operating reviews, partnering with Operations and Sales to explain performance drivers.
• Audit & Compliance: Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors and tax advisors, ensuring all schedules are audit-ready and sales tax compliance is maintained.

Accounting Shared Services Oversight (India)

• Governance: Provide day-to-day performance management for the India-based team responsible for transactional processing (AP, AR, JE preparation, and reconciliations).
• Shared Services Leadership: Define scope, priorities, and escalation paths with the India team lead to ensure deliverables align with the U.S. close calendar.
• Performance Standards: Establish the close calendar and quality standards; drive accountability for accuracy and reconciliation quality supporting U.S. GAAP.
• Internal Controls: Ensure effective controls across shared services processes, including approval workflows, evidence standards, and segregation of duties.
• Continuous Improvement: Partner with the India team and ERP owners to drive automation, reduce manual work, and shorten the close cycle.

Operational Finance & Cost Accounting

• Inventory Mastery: Oversee accounting for raw materials, WIP, and finished goods, ensuring tight controls and accurate reserves.
• Inventory Integrity: Own inventory-to-GL reconciliations; investigate and resolve variances with Operations.
• Costing Excellence: Drive accuracy in product costing, including standard and landed costs, overhead allocation, and absorption.
• Margin Analysis: Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to analyze scrap, yield, labor efficiency, and freight costs to identify margin improvement opportunities.

Working Capital & Systems Optimization

• Cash Flow Strategy: Manage AR/AP processes and improve forecasting inputs for collections and inventory procurement.
• Systems Innovation: Act as the functional lead for ERP enhancements (e.g., NetSuite, Acumatica, SAP), driving automation to eliminate manual fire drills.

Qualifications

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• Certification: Must have a CPA 
• Experience: 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2+ years at the Controller or Assistant Controller level.
• Industry Expertise: Deep background in manufacturing and/or distribution is essential, specifically with inventory cycle counts and variance analysis.
• Technical Skills: Advanced Excel proficiency and prior experience managing/optimizing an ERP system.

Work Environment

• This position is based onsite at our U.S. office location and is not eligible for remote work.
• Work is primarily performed in a professional office setting within a manufacturing and distribution environment.
• Regular interaction with Operations, Supply Chain, and warehouse personnel is required.
• Periodic presence on the production floor or in warehouse areas may be necessary to review inventory processes, costing methodologies, and operational controls.
• The role requires frequent collaboration across departments and coordination with an offshore accounting team across time zones.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in Private Equity-backed or high-growth environments.
• Experience with multi-location operations and international supply chains (specifically landed cost complexity).
• Experience leading or partnering with offshore/shared services teams (India strongly preferred) using clear SLAs and close governance.
• Ability to partner across time zones with structured communication and clear escalation paths.

What Success Looks Like (First 180 Days)

• Consistency: The month-end close is streamlined, accurate, and consistently meets deadlines.
• Governance: A structured operating rhythm (SLAs, close checklist, and escalation paths) is established with the India team, resulting in measurable improvements in accuracy and a reduction in aging reconciling items.
• Trust: Operations leadership relies on your costing and inventory data as the "single source of truth".
• Scalability: Controls and documentation are audit-ready and prepared for company growth.

Core Competencies

• Ownership Mentality: You take high accountability for the final output and don't just "oversee" from a distance.
• Strategic Partnership: You find ways to support the business through better efficiency and smarter cost management.
• Resilience: You remain calm under pressure and thrive in a fast-moving, evolving business environment.