Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

A growing, privately held manufacturing and distribution company in the Chicago area is seeking a Corporate Controller to lead its accounting function and serve as a key financial partner to senior leadership and operations.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys working close to the business. The Controller will oversee the day-to-day accounting organization while strengthening financial reporting, controls, processes, and operational visibility as the company continues to grow.

The ideal candidate brings a strong foundation in accounting and controllership along with experience in a manufacturing, distribution, or similarly operational environment
. This individual should be comfortable moving between detailed accounting work, team leadership, and partnership with operations.

• Lead the company's accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, cost accounting, inventory accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Own the monthly and year-end close processes and ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, management reporting, account reconciliations, and variance analysis.
• Analyze operating results, revenues, costs, margins, and other key financial metrics.
• Oversee standard costing, inventory valuation, cost analysis, and related manufacturing accounting activities
  .
• Partner closely with operations and other business leaders to understand financial performance and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Coordinate the annual budgeting and forecasting processes and monitor actual performance against plan.
• Develop and improve financial reporting that provides leadership with greater visibility into business performance.
• Review existing accounting processes and implement improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and scalability.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
• Oversee payroll-related accounting and reporting activities.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audits and preparation of supporting schedules and work papers.
• Support tax compliance and other regulatory reporting requirements.
• Manage, mentor, and develop members of the accounting team.
• Support senior leadership with financial analysis and special projects.
• Identify and lead continuous improvement initiatives across the accounting and finance function.

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA and/or MBA is a plus.
• Progressive accounting experience with previous experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar accounting leadership role
  .
• Strong understanding of GAAP, month-end close, financial reporting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Experience with in a manufacturing, distribution, industrial, or other inventory-intensive environment strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with cost accounting, standard costing, inventory valuation, and COGS highly desirable.
• Previous experience leading or supervising accounting professionals.
• Strong Excel skills, including pivot tables, complex formulas, and financial analysis.
• Experience with an ERP system; SAP or similar platforms is a plus.
• Ability to communicate financial information effectively to both accounting and non-accounting leaders.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable working in a hands-on, entrepreneurial environment where priorities can evolve as the business grows.