Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Zephyr Tool Group | Finance & Accounting | Full-Time, Exempt

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Location:

Inglewood, California — on-site

Pay Range: $135,000 – $165,000

Position Summary Zephyr Tool Group is creating the newly established position of Controller to build out the Company's accounting function as it grows. This is a new role, not a replacement for a departed employee, and the successful candidate will have significant latitude to design and implement accounting processes, controls, and reporting infrastructure. The Controller will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer and will be responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of the Company's financial records and reporting, working closely with and in support of the Chief Financial Officer, who will continue to serve as the Company's senior accounting and finance authority through retirement.

The Company anticipates significant growth potential in this role: the current Chief Financial Officer is expected to retire at the end of 2027, and the Controller position is intended to develop the Company's next CFO from within. Advancement to CFO will depend on the successful candidate's performance and the Company's business needs at that time and remains at the Company's sole discretion.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close process, including preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.

- Design, document, and implement accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls appropriate for a growing manufacturing organization.

- Establish and maintain standard costing, job costing, and inventory valuation processes for manufacturing operations.

- Manage general ledger accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll coordination, either directly or through oversight of accounting staff.

- Prepare and present financial reports, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses to the CEO and, as needed, other members of leadership.

- Oversee cash management, banking relationships, and cash flow forecasting.

- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax filing requirements, and coordinate with outside CPA firms or tax preparers as needed.

- Serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors, tax advisors, and financial institutions.

- Partner with Human Resources and Operations leadership on payroll accuracy, workers' compensation reporting, and other cross-functional finance needs.

- Recommend and help implement accounting systems and process improvements, including evaluation of software tools appropriate to the Company's size and growth trajectory.

- Recruit, train, and supervise accounting staff as the department grows.

- Perform other duties as assigned by the CEO.Qualifications Because this is a newly created role, the Company is open to candidates at more than one level of seniority, provided they demonstrate the judgment and initiative required to build a function from the ground up. The Company will consider either of the following profiles:

- A Controller-level candidate with 3–5 years of progressively responsible accounting experience, including supervisory or lead experience; CPA preferred but not required; or- A strong Senior Accountant (typically 3+ years of experience) who has demonstrated readiness to step up into a Controller-level role, with a track record of increasing ownership and independent judgment.

Additional qualifications:

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.

- Solid working knowledge of U.S. GAAP; manufacturing, cost accounting, or inventory experience strongly preferred.

- Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems and advanced Excel skills; experience with Smartsheet or similar tools is a plus.

- Familiarity with California wage and hour law, payroll compliance, and multi-jurisdictional considerations is a plus.

- Demonstrated ability to work independently and build processes in a smaller-company environment with limited existing infrastructure.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial leadership.

- High degree of integrity and discretion in handling confidential financial and personnel-adjacent information.

Work Environment / Physical Demands This position operates primarily in an office environment located at a Zephyr Tool Group facility, with regular exposure to a manufacturing floor setting when performing inventory or…