Controller

Controller

Hands-On Accounting & Financial Leadership | $40M Family-Owned Company

Location: New Haven County, Connecticut
Employment Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Compensation: $120,000–$135,000+ based on experience

About Us

We are a well-established, privately and family-owned material handling company with 60 years of history serving our customers and our community.

With approximately $40 million in annual revenue, we are looking for an experienced Controller to take ownership of our accounting and financial operations and become a key member of our management team.

This is a fully on-site position for an accounting professional who enjoys being involved in the details while also having the ability to lead people, improve processes, and contribute to the broader success of the business.

The Controller will oversee a five-person accounting/office team and work directly with company ownership and management, our banking partners, and our outside CPA/accounting firm.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to make a meaningful impact in an established, successful family-owned company rather than simply being one small piece of a large corporate finance organization.

The Opportunity

The Controller will be responsible for the company's complete accounting function, from the details of daily accounting through month-end close, financial statement preparation, analysis, and financial reporting.

We are looking for someone who is comfortable rolling up their sleeves and understanding the details, but who can also step back and look at the bigger financial and operational picture.

The successful candidate will bring strong technical accounting skills, leadership ability, sound business judgment, and a willingness to identify and implement improvements to our accounting processes, policies, and internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee and manage all aspects of the company's accounting operations.
• Ensure accurate and timely completion of the full accounting cycle.
• Perform and/or oversee bank and account reconciliations, general ledger activity, accounts payable, accounts receivable, journal entries, accruals, and other accounting functions.
• Manage the month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Analyze financial results and provide meaningful information and insight to ownership and management.
• Identify trends, variances, and unusual activity and communicate findings and recommendations to management.
• Ensure the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the company's financial records.
• Oversee cash management and assist with cash-flow planning and forecasting.

Leadership & Staff Management

• Supervise, direct, train, and develop a five-person accounting/office team.
• Establish clear responsibilities, accountability, and procedures within the accounting and office functions.
• Provide guidance and support to staff while maintaining high standards of accuracy and performance.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and productivity within the department.

Policies, Procedures & Internal Controls

• Develop, document, maintain, and improve accounting policies and procedures.
• Strengthen internal controls and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, and accountability.
• Evaluate existing processes and implement practical improvements where appropriate.
• Ensure consistent application of accounting policies and procedures throughout the organization.

Banking & Outside Professionals

• Serve as a primary financial contact with the company's banking partners.
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with our bankers and financial institutions.
• Work closely with our outside CPA/accounting firm on tax matters, year-end financial reporting, and other accounting requirements.
• Coordinate information and documentation required by outside accounting and financial professionals.
• Assist with banking, financing, and other financial matters as needed.

Management Support

• Assist with budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and management reporting.
• Provide ownership and management with accurate and understandable financial information to support business decisions.
• Help management understand financial trends, profitability, cash flow, and other key financial considerations.
• Identify accounting or operational issues and take ownership of finding practical solutions.
• Maintain the confidentiality and integrity of company financial information.

What We're Looking For

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical accounting skills with leadership, judgment, and common sense.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing the full accounting cycle.
• Strong hands-on experience with general ledger accounting, reconciliations, accounts payable, accounts receivable, journal entries, accruals, and month-end close.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare, analyze, and explain financial statements.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP.
• Experience managing month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prior experience supervising, training, or directing accounting or office personnel.
• Ability to develop, document, and improve accounting procedures and internal controls.
• Ability to analyze financial results, identify trends and variances, and communicate meaningful financial information to ownership and management.
• Strong Excel and accounting software skills.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize responsibilities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to communicate effectively with company ownership, employees, bankers, and outside accounting professionals.
• Willingness and ability to work fully on-site.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• CPA or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience in a privately owned or family-owned business.
• Experience in a small-to-medium-sized company where the Controller is expected to be hands-on.
• Experience working directly with business owners.
• Experience with inventory, equipment, job costing, distribution, service operations, or other asset-intensive businesses.
• Experience in the material handling, manufacturing, distribution, equipment, construction, or service industries.
• Experience with cash-flow forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning.
• Experience working with banks or other financial institutions.
• Experience developing or implementing accounting policies and procedures.
• Public accounting experience.
• Experience working with outside auditors or CPA firms.

What Success Looks Like

During your first 6–12 months, you will become the person ownership and management can rely on for accurate, timely, and understandable financial information.

You will:

• Develop a thorough understanding of the company's financial position and accounting processes.
• Ensure the accounting records and reconciliations are accurate and current.
• Establish a consistent and dependable month-end closing and reporting process.
• Provide timely and accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Build strong working relationships with the accounting team, bankers, outside CPA firm, and company leadership.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting.
• Establish clear procedures, responsibilities, and accountability within the accounting/office team.
• Help improve the flow and quality of financial information throughout the company.
• Provide management with financial insight that helps them make better business decisions.
• Become a trusted financial and operational resource to company leadership.

Why Join Us?

After 60 years in business, we understand the value of stability, relationships, and doing things the right way.

As a family-owned company with approximately $40 million in annual revenue, we offer the opportunity to work closely with ownership and have a meaningful influence on the company's continued success.

This isn't a position where you'll simply prepare reports and send them up the corporate ladder. You'll have the opportunity to own the accounting function, lead a team, work directly with decision-makers, build relationships with our banking and accounting partners, and improve the systems and processes that support the business.

If you are an experienced accounting professional who enjoys both the numbers and the business behind the numbers, we would like to hear from you.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $120,000–$135,000+ depending on experience

We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package and the opportunity to build a long-term career with an established, successful family-owned company.

This is a full-time, on-site position. Remote or hybrid work is not available.

Pay: $120,000.00 - $135,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• AD&D insurance
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• Accounting: 5 years (Required)

Work Location: In person