Controller, Finance & Banking, Financial Manager

Company: Live Trends Design Group

Location: Apopka, FL

Position: Controller

Department: Accounting

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt ( Salaried )

The Controller is a senior finance leader responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance for Live Trends Design Group. This role partners closely with Operations, Sales, Logistics, and HR to provide accurate financial insights that support operational decision-making, workforce planning, inventory management, and growth initiatives. The ideal candidate is hands-on, detail-driven, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, manufacturing and distribution environment with high volume transactions.

SPECIFIC ACCOUNTABILITIES

Financial Leadership & Management

Financial Reporting & General Ledger Management

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll accounting, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and cost accounting
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP
• Lead the monthly close process, including reconciliations, accruals, and variance analysis
• Prepare financial reporting packages for executive leadership, including insights on margin, labor, inventory, and operational performance
• Ensure inter-company transactions and eliminations are accurately recorded and reconciled across the multi-entity structure.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Support

• Lead the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts
• Partner with department leaders on workforce planning, including full-time vs. seasonal labor cost modeling
• Provide financial analysis to support capital investments, headcount planning, and operational initiatives
• Support long-range financial planning and growth strategies

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team
• Set clear expectations, performance goals, and development plans
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration

Audit and Internal Controls:

• Serve as a primary contact for external auditors, managing audit schedules and providing necessary documentation.
• Develop, document, and maintain strong internal controls over financial reporting across all entities, focusing specifically on control points for WIP and Inventory.

Technical Accounting & Compliance

WIP and Inventory Management:

• Oversee the cost accounting function, including the development and maintenance of standard costs, variance analysis, and monitoring overhead absorption.
• Manage the valuation, impairment, and reconciliation of Work in Progress (WIP) accounts, ensuring accurate cost accumulation and revenue recognition.
• Direct the periodic physical inventory counts and cycle count program, ensuring proper valuation methodologies are applied (e.g., FIFO, Weighted Average).

Asset Lifecycle Management:

• Recording and capitalizing the total cost of new assets, including purchase price, installation, and any related costs.
• Maintaining a centralized, accurate fixed asset register with details like asset , location, condition, and responsible department. This often includes conducting periodic physical inventories.
• Reporting of capital projects for Balance Sheet and Income Statement transactions.
• Calculating and recording depreciation using appropriate accounting methods to accurately reflect the asset's value on the balance sheet.
• Managing the process of asset disposals at the end of their useful life and correctly recording any gain or loss.

Risk & Relationship Management

Banking and Treasury:

• Manage and reconcile banking relationships, including monitoring cash position across all entities, approving wire transfers, and overseeing foreign currency transactions (if applicable).
• Support the COO/CFO in managing debt covenants and ensuring compliance with loan agreements.

Insurance:

• Oversee the financial aspects of the company's insurance programs (Property & Casualty, D&O, General Liability, etc.), including annual renewals, managing audits, and ensuring adequate coverage for all assets and liabilities.

Vendor and Contract Management:

• Collaborate with Purchasing and Procurement Teams to ensure vendor contracts and service agreements are reviewed and managed effectively from a financial perspective (e.g., payment terms, financial stability).

Requirements

SPECIFIC SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinker with strong business acumen
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail
• Comfortable balancing hands-on work with leadership responsibilities
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights
• Proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
• High integrity and commitment to accuracy and compliance

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• A minimum of 10 + years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 7 years in a management role.
• Must have strong, hands-on experience with cost accounting, WIP, and…