Sr. Controller

This role oversees the accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance activities of a closely held S-Corporation and is both strategic and hands-on, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, audit readiness, and full compliance with multi-state sales tax requirements. It requires deep experience in audit, ERP implementations, and multi-state sales and use tax, and serves as a key business partner to executive leadership during periods of growth, system modernization, and regulatory complexity. The ideal candidate is comfortable wearing multiple hats, thrives in a smaller business environment, understands the nuances of S-Corporation reporting, and can move seamlessly between transactional accounting, compliance oversight, and strategic financial leadership.

Duties

Accounting & Financial Operations (Hands-On)

• Manage and perform general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and journal entries
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes
• Prepare internal financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)
• Maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation
• Oversee AP, AR, and payroll (directly or through limited staff)
• Monitor cash flow and provide liquidity planning

S-Corporation & Owner Support

• Coordinate with external CPA firm for annual tax filings (1120-S, K-1 reporting)
• Support shareholder distributions and tax planning discussions
• Maintain accurate basis and retained earnings tracking
• Provide financial reporting and insights directly to ownership

Audit & Internal Controls

• Serve as primary contact for external auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners
• Design, implement and maintain strong internal controls and policies
• Ensure audit-ready documentation and policy consistency
• Identify financial risks and implement mitigation strategies

ERP & Systems Management

• Lead ERP implementation efforts, upgrades, and system improvements
• Translate accounting and compliance requirements into system configurations and workflows
• Partner with IT and cross-functional teams to improve automation, reporting, and controls
• Implement automation where it is feasible to streamline manual processes
• Document and standardize accounting processes and procedures within the ERP environment

Multi-State Sales & Use Tax Compliance

• Manage sales tax registrations, nexus analysis, filings, and remittances across multiple states
• Monitor changes in tax regulations and ensure compliance
• Maintain exemption certificate documentation
• Support state sales tax audits and inquiries

Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting staff
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and professional development plans
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, HR, IT, and executive leadership

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in accounting required

Experience

• 7+ years accounting experience at a senior/manager level
• Experience in a manufacturing setting preferred
• Audit background (public accounting or internal audit preferred)
• Experience in a small or closely held business environment
• Hands-on ERP implementation or system upgrade experience
• Demonstrated experience managing multi-state sales tax compliance

• Familiarity with tax automation tools and sales tax software (e.g. Avalara, Vertex)

Skills & Attributes

• Strong knowledge of GAAP and S-Corp financial structure
• Highly detail-oriented with strong organizational skills
• Ability to operate both strategically and tactically, with a big-picture mindset
• Comfortable working directly with leadership and external advisors
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently in a lean environment
• Process-driven with a continuous improvement mindset
• Clear, confident communicator with technical and non-technical audiences