Ascension Search Partners has been retained to hire a Corporate Controller for a PE backed billion dollar company.  As the Corporate Controller, you serve as a key member of the Finance Leadership team and leader of the Controllership function. As such, you will apply your knowledge of both corporate accounting practices in US accounting standards to drive the complex accounting decision-making process along with managing the day-to-day financial close operations within the region and overall corporate function partnering with corporate functional leaders to provide financial support and perspective for strategic initiatives.

This position will be responsible for all aspects of accounting and in and sustaining a best-in-class enterprise-wide control framework. This individual will be responsible for key accounting activities for the organization including internal reporting, tax, general accounting, controls and procedures surrounding the controllership and accounting functions at the company, and other related activities to support the position. Additionally, a key project that this individual will be tasked with is pushing the budgeting and finance function down to the branch level.  The company uses NetSuite for their ERP system. 

The Accounting Leader will be responsible for leading a team of accounting operations professionals and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

A sampling of core aspects include:

·        Proactively managing accumulation and consolidation of all financial data necessary for timely and accurate reporting of business results.

·        Establishing, implementing, and monitoring accounting policies, practices, and systems to create a strong internal control environment.

·        Partnering with the CFO to determine accounting and reporting implications for all material business decisions.

·        Managing, coaching, and developing direct reports as well as mentoring and monitoring development goals for the entire controller organization.

·        Create and drive a culture of continuous operational process improvement that drives best practice efficiencies, seek to automate manual process, and provides the ability to scale the financial environment in a growing business.

·        Driving change and make an impact.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

·        Design, implement, and review the transition of branch level accounting and budgeting throughout the company and the reporting of that back to the headquarters. 

·        Lead consolidation of the financial close process. Ensure timely and accurate consolidated financial statements that are in compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements.

·        Evaluate, develop, and maintain accounting processes and policies for consistent application of GAAP across the company.

·        Work cross functionally to deliver technical accounting advice and support. Provide perspective on regulations affecting treasury actions and impact to the organization’s earnings.

·        Partner with business leaders to provide technical accounting support and ensure transactions are properly reported.

·        Drive a fact-based financial planning process across to ensure that each organization delivers timely and accurate forecasts, long- range plans, and an operating plan that is consistent with internal expectations.

·        Perform and partner with corporate functions to bring financial perspective to strategic initiatives and participate in leadership team meetings for these groups.

·        Lead a culture of continuous operational process improvement that drives best practice efficiencies, seek to automate manual process, and provides the ability to scale the financial environment in a growing business.

·        Build a strong and cohesive team of future leaders through coaching, development, empowerment, and motivation.

Ensure hiring and succession planning for key positions.

·        Establish, implement, and monitor accounting policies, practices and systems to create a strong internal control environment.

Qualifications

·        Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or similar from an accredited four year institution

·        Master’s degree in Accounting of Business Administration preferred

·        CPA certification required

·        Big 4 public accounting experience combined with progressive accounting experience in a multi-unit organization.  Distribution or logistics industry experience is a plus.

·        Experience developing and implementing best practices and procedures, particularly in regard to processes and systems.

·        Experience centralizing or decentralizing the budgeting function of an organization.

·        Strong leadership.

·        Excellent communication, collaboration, and influencing skills.

·        Ability to work directly with the senior leadership as a business partner driving results and contributing to the success of the business.

·        Ability to successfully deal with complexity and pressure while maintaining composure.