Controller, Finance & Banking, Accounting Manager

The Controller will be a hands-on finance leader responsible for strengthening accounting operations, improving cash flow visibility, and driving process discipline within a growing, private equity–backed manufacturing business. This on-site role in the Detroit Metropolitan Area is ideal for a Controller who enjoys owning the close, ensuring audit readiness, and delivering clear, reliable financial insight in a fast-paced, operational environment.

Reporting to the CFO, the Controller will lead monthly close and reporting, build a repeatable 13-week cash flow forecast, and partner closely with operations and IT to improve systems, controls, and workflows. The role also manages a small accounting team, supports M&A and integration efforts, and operates comfortably within private equity and lender expectations, with selective exposure to board-level discussions.

• Lead all accounting operations as a hands-on Controller, overseeing the general ledger, monthly financial statement preparation, and ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP.
• Own and continuously improve the month-end close process, including journal entries, account reconciliations, variance analysis, and documentation, with the objective of shortening the close timeline and strengthening rigor.
• Manage and coordinate the year-end audit process and ongoing audit readiness, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors and resolving audit findings and inquiries.
• Design, implement, and maintain internal controls to safeguard company assets, support compliance, and enhance the reliability of financial reporting.
• Develop, implement, and own a reliable 13‑week cash flow and free cash flow forecast, correcting data and logic issues and establishing a repeatable, defensible forecasting process within the first 90 days.
• Provide light FP&A support, including budget-to-actual analysis, cost center reporting, trend analysis, and actionable insights tied to operational performance.
• Partner cross-functionally with operations, production, purchasing, IT, and suppliers to drive process improvements across outside processing, inventory, system workflows, and cost visibility.
• Monitor and analyze financial and operational data to identify trends, discrepancies, risks, and opportunities for improvement, and translate findings into practical recommendations.
• Support M&A and integration activities, including multi‑entity accounting, chart of accounts alignment, asset setup, and integration of new or acquired facilities.
• Operate effectively in a private equity–backed environment, understanding lender covenants and PE expectations, and providing credible financial insight to leadership.
• Prepare and present financial analyses, cash flow forecasts, and business cases to management and, selectively, to PE or board stakeholders.
• Manage, mentor, and develop a small accounting team (AR and AP), fostering a culture of accuracy, efficiency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support inventory accounting and controls, including non‑perpetual inventory processes, quarterly physical counts, tariff treatment, and related reconciliations, with occasional site travel as required.
• Execute a structured post‑audit transition and confidential handover, assuming full ownership of the finance function following audit completion.

You are a hands-on Controller with manufacturing experience who can own accounting operations, cost accounting, and cash flow in a fast‑paced private equity–backed environment.

• Manufacturing accounting experience with strong cost accounting expertise (standard costing, margin, and variance analysis)
• Absolute must‑have: ability to build, own, and manage a rolling 13‑week cash flow/liquidity forecast
• Experience in a private equity or institutional investor–backed environment, including lender interaction, covenant awareness, and PE reporting expectations
• Proven ownership of the month‑end close and partnership with the CFO to ensure speed and accuracy
• Experience leading a small accounting team (AP, AR, intern/junior staff)
• Exposure to multi‑entity accounting, M&A integration, Chart of Accounts alignment, and asset setup
• ERP experience required; homegrown or legacy ERP environments strongly preferred
• CPA preferred; non‑CPA candidates must demonstrate deep ownership of cost accounting and cash forecasting
• Willing to work on‑site.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• CPA or CMA preferred but not required
• 5–7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including manufacturing
• Strong knowledge of close, audit, cost accounting, and inventory processes
• ERP proficiency and advanced Excel skills
• Detail‑oriented, analytical, and comfortable working hands‑on in a fast‑paced environment