Assistant Controller

Assistant Controller – Food & Beverage (Los Angeles) The Opportunity

A private equity-backed food and beverage company based in Los Angeles is hiring an Assistant Controller to help build out its accounting function during an important stage of growth. The business has scaled quickly since being acquired, and leadership is now investing in stronger controls, cleaner processes, and more scalable reporting infrastructure ahead of its next phase of growth.

This is a build role, not a maintenance one. The Assistant Controller will work closely with the VP of Finance to tighten up the close process, strengthen internal controls, and put in place the systems and procedures a business at this scale needs to run cleanly under private equity ownership.

Reporting to the VP of Finance, the Assistant Controller will own day-to-day accounting operations while playing a lead role in designing and implementing new controls and processes. It's a hands-on seat with real visibility to the finance leadership team and exposure to the PE sponsor.

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close process, working to shorten close timelines and improve accuracy
• Design, document, and implement internal controls and accounting policies as the business scales
• Manage and develop a small team of accounting staff, with hands-on coaching and review
• Partner with the VP of Finance on process improvement projects, including systems, close efficiency, and reporting automation
• Act as a key point of contact for external auditors and support the annual audit process
• Review account reconciliations, journal entries, and general ledger activity for accuracy and completeness
• Support inventory and COGS accounting, working closely with operations and supply chain
• Help prepare financial reporting packages for the PE sponsor and executive leadership
• Research and document technical accounting positions as the business encounters new or complex transactions

Required:

• CPA (active or eligible)
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, with a mix of public accounting (Big 4 or strong regional firm) and industry
• Experience building or strengthening controls, processes, and procedures, ideally in a growing or PE-backed environment
• Strong technical accounting knowledge (US GAAP) and hands-on general ledger/close experience
• Able to work hybrid, 3-4 days per week, from the company's Los Angeles office

Helpful, not required:

• Consumer products, food and beverage, or CPG industry experience
• Experience reporting to a private equity sponsor or supporting board/audit committee reporting
• ERP implementation or systems improvement experience

• Base salary: $150,000-$170,000, commensurate with experience
• Bonus and benefits package
• Los Angeles, CA - hybrid (3-4 days onsite)