Controller, Vice President of Finance

This role is for a private equity-backed multi location restaurant chain. A proven industry veteran leads the growth of the enterprise, the company is backed by long-term focused and patient owners, and the firm is seeking a financial professional with the drive and determination to execute relentlessly on its long-term business plan.

This opportunity is perfect for a hands-on, entrepreneurial, and dynamic finance professional seeking a chance to continue to evolve a company's finance function. This role will function as the head of the accounting/finance function and report directly to the President, with a dotted line to ownership. This is a unique opportunity to lead the accounting/finance function for a profitable, growing, and beloved brand with stable ownership that is in it for the long run.

The ideal candidate will inherit and improve the existing foundational finance functions such as annual budgeting, monthly budget variances, forecasting, and periodic reporting packages for the various stakeholders (Area Directors, General Managers, President, ownership, and commercial banks and lenders). The role will have financial oversight of the different value creation initiatives, including but not limited to new store openings, remodel programs, updating branding, refocusing on menu profit drivers, improving labor scheduling, and investments in technology (AI, digital/social media, website, apps, tablets, software) designed to create a seamless customer experience.

Financial oversight will include creating thoughtful ROI analysis, creating budgets, and monitoring the economic success of the initiatives.

The role will be responsible for the traditional accounting and controller functions, overseeing financial reporting, treasury, accounts receivable (AR) and payables (AP), payroll, IT, and administration (legal, contracts, insurance, etc.). The position will partner closely with the operations and HR function. Most notably, the candidate will zealously champion cost-containment and cash management. Key initiatives will include maintaining and improving the company’s structured monthly close process and annual GAAP audit process, researching and implementing the latest in AI tools/agents to facilitate seamless, accurate, and real-time reporting to all stakeholders, and serving as a true partner to the President in leading the company daily.

This role is located in Ardmore, AL, and will require significant onsite work and close collaboration with the President who resides in Huntsville. The ideal candidate will reside within close proximity of Huntsville with reasonable remote work to be permitted. The finance team is comprised of a small team (currently 2 subordinates), and the Company will judiciously add resources as it grows.

The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with extensive/progressive finance experience and relentless intellectual curiosity. The candidate will also be capable of overseeing the accounting function and be experienced in managing banking relationships, cash flow, and a leveraged balance sheet. The candidate should have national or recognized firm experience (e.g., big-four, large regional) or similar best in class experience (national consulting firm, Fortune recognized [or equivalent] Company), or investment banking, or extensive experience working with institutional investors.

A finance professional with public accounting experience, a CPA, and comprehensive finance-related experience is also suitable.

A candidate with restaurant or similar experience managing an active growth pipeline via new unit development is a plus.

• Prepare GAAP financials (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement) on a monthly and annual basis with variance reporting to prior year and budget; manage annual GAAP audit
• Oversee financial analysis and budgeting of business operations; spearhead the interpretation of operating results with a focus on identifying opportunities for improvement
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly financial reporting packages for Area Directors, General Managers, President, and ownership; manage appropriate reporting requirements for commercial banks and lenders; leverage the latest in technology/AI to provide real-time reporting
• Enhance and implement financial and accounting systems, processes, tools, and control systems to better manage the business and to facilitate annual reviews/audits with limited adjustments; ensure that reasonable financial approval processes are in place and followed
• Continually improve the timeliness of financial reporting and the quality of business planning, budgeting, and financial analysis; facilitate the development of robust financial analytics and metrics
• Oversee the Company's capital structure and balance sheet while maintaining a laser focus on cost containment and cash management
• Manage day-to-day finance functions, including responsibility for the management of accounts payable & accounts receivable as…