Controller

Job Overview:

We specialize in sheet metal fabrication, welding, machining, coatings, and the design and build of turnkey mechanical systems. In addition to full system integration and production, we design custom equipment and collaborate with customers to refine and optimize their product designs. Our capabilities include UL 508A industrial control panels and electrical assemblies as part of broader engineered solutions.

We are scaling rapidly to deliver engineered solutions across critical industries including defense, data infrastructure, industrial processing, and OEM manufacturing. Our capabilities are organized into five strategic verticals: Engineered Plant Equipment, OEM Equipment, Data Infrastructure, Defense & Secure Facility Components, and Contract Manufacturing.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a hands-on, analytically strong Controller to own the company’s accounting, cash management, and financial reporting as we continue our next phase of growth.

This is a hands-on finance leadership role: the Controller will lead a small team (an Accountant to be hired, plus two office support staff with AR/AP and general office responsibilities) while remaining directly involved in closing the books, managing cash, and building forecasts that support business decisions.

You will be responsible for the integrity of the general ledger, month-end and year-end close, cash and treasury management, cost and inventory accounting, and forward-looking FP&A. The role also owns month-end management and board reporting, packaging financial information in clear, concise formats for decision-makers.

This role is ideal for a hands-on Controller who wants to own the full finance function of a growing manufacturing business, not be one of many in a large corporate finance department. The Controller reports directly to the CEO and partners closely with Operations, Sales, and Human Resources.

Responsibilities:

1. Own the general ledger and full month-end and year-end close, targeting a timely, accurate close.
2. Prepare monthly financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) with clear variance analysis and commentary.
3. Prepare month-end management and board reports using a consistent, decision-oriented format.
4. Maintain a close checklist and reconciliation process for key accounts (cash, AR/AP, inventory/WIP, fixed assets, debt, and other major balances).
5. Ensure accounting policies and procedures are documented, maintained, and consistently applied.
6. Coordinate year-end adjustments and supporting schedules with external CPA and tax advisors.

Cash Management & Treasury:

1. Own daily and weekly cash management, including monitoring balances, inflows, and outflows.
2. Develop and maintain a rolling 13-week cash forecast tied to operations, capex, and debt service.
3. Manage banking relationships, including covenant reporting, line-of-credit usage, and equipment financing.
4. Oversee payment timing for vendors, payroll funding, tax payments, and capital expenditures to align with cash priorities.
5. Provide clear, proactive visibility to the CEO on cash risk and upcoming obligations.

Manufacturing, Cost & Inventory Accounting:

1. Lead cost accounting, including job costing, WIP tracking, overhead application, and variance analysis.
2. Work with Operations to ensure accurate capture of labor, material, and overhead in jobs and product lines.
3. Oversee inventory valuation and controls (cycle counts, adjustments, and reconciliation between physical and system quantities).
4. Support pricing, quoting, and make/buy decisions with accurate cost data and margin analysis.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A):

1. Lead development of the annual budget and periodic reforecasts (P&L and cash flow; balance sheet where appropriate).
2. Build practical financial models to evaluate business scenarios, capital investments, and major customer/program opportunities.
3. Develop monthly reporting and KPI packages for leadership, including revenue/margin trends, SG&A trends, and working capital metrics (DSO, DPO, inventory turns).
4. Translate financial results into clear, actionable insights for non-finance leaders.

Controls, Compliance & Tax Support:

1. Maintain practical internal controls across revenue, purchasing, payables, payroll, and inventory.
2. Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP and applicable state and federal regulations.
3. Oversee or coordinate sales & use tax, property tax, payroll tax, 1099s, and other year-end reporting.
4. Prepare and maintain schedules and documentation required for tax returns, insurance renewals, and lender reviews/covenant compliance.

Systems, Tools & Process Improvement:

1. Serve as the finance owner of the accounting/ERP system (Aptean’s Made2Manage), ensuring accurate configuration and disciplined use.
2. Maintain and improve key financial tools and spreadsheets where needed to supplement system reporting.
3. Streamline and standardize financial processes to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and shorten cycle times.
4. Support broader process improvements where financial accuracy and control are impacted (order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, inventory management).

Leadership, Team Management & Cross-Functional Partnership:

1. Lead and develop a small finance/office support team, including: directing the Accountant on close and reconciliations, overseeing two office support staff (AR/AP, invoicing, vendor onboarding, office duties), and setting expectations, coaching, and simple, repeatable standards.
2. Establish simple financial rhythms (KPIs, monthly reviews, variance discussions) that make performance visible and drive accountability for cost, margin, and cash across the organization.
3. Provide financial leadership to Operations, Sales, and HR, communicating clearly with non-financial leaders and supporting planning, hiring, and investment decisions.
4. Model integrity, accountability, and a quality-first mindset consistent with the company's culture.

Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
2. 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Senior Accountant role with ownership of close, or equivalent experience demonstrating full-close ownership, cash management, and team leadership.
3. Experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment with exposure to inventory, WIP, and cost accounting.
4. Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and core accounting standards.
5. Demonstrated experience with: month-end and year-end close, cash management and forecasting, preparing and reviewing financial statements and supporting schedules
6. Prior experience leading a small team (e.g., staff accountant, AP/AR, or office support) in a hands-on environment.
7. Comfortable working in and improving ERP/accounting systems, plus strong Excel skills.
8. Prior experience in a small to mid-sized, privately held company is preferred.
9. CPA or equivalent credential is a plus, but not required.

Personal Attributes:

1. Hands-on finance leader: willing to dive into the details while leading and developing others.
2. High integrity and ownership mentality; treats the company’s money as their own.
3. Holds self and others accountable for clear financial and operational commitments, using facts and data to drive decisions.
4. Comfortable in a changing, growth-oriented environment -- can build structure without overcomplicating.
5. Strong analytical thinking with a practical, operator mindset.
6. Organized and disciplined, with a natural inclination toward checklists and repeatable processes.
7. Collaborative and approachable; able to build trust with production, engineering, sales, and leadership.

Compensation & Benefits:

1. Competitive salary commensurate with experience.
2. Eligibility for a discretionary bonus based on company performance and individual contribution.
3. Benefits package including health insurance and retirement plan participation.