Controller

OVERVIEW

LUCY is searching for a highly analytical, strategic, and hands-on Controller to oversee our global accounting operations and financial reporting. You will design, scale, and manage the financial infrastructure for a fast-growing CPG brand navigating a complex, omni-channel ecosystem that spans direct-to-consumer (D2C) e-commerce and traditional wholesale/distributor networks.

Partnering closely with Operations, Sales, Marketing, and Leadership, you will ensure accuracy in our books, eliminate margin leakage from trade spend deductions, and provide the financial visibility needed to scale our business efficiently.

This is a high-impact leadership role for a builder. We are seeking someone who can maintain a high-level view of financial strategy while still rolling up their sleeves to untangle complex inventory variances or distributor deductions when needed.

As the business grows, you will have the autonomy to build out your accounting team (including AR/AP specialists or senior accountants) to transition from day-to-day transaction management to strategic financial oversight.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Financial Reporting & Core Accounting Operations

• Oversee all monthly, quarterly, and annual closing processes, ensuring timely, audit-ready, and GAAP-compliant financial statements.
• Supervise our day-to-day accounting operations team (currently third-party), including Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, general ledger reconciliation, and cash flow management.
• Optimize the quote-to-cash process for wholesale accounts.
• Coordinate with external CPA firms for corporate tax preparation, annual filings, and future financial audits.
• Manage multi-currency transactions and foreign subsidiary accounting, ensuring accurate foreign exchange gain/loss recognition and intercompany reconciliation.

Multi-Channel Revenue & Trade Spend Management

• Accurately account for deferred revenue, customer returns, chargebacks, and platform fees associated with high-volume e-commerce transactions.
• Manage and reconcile retail trade spend reserves (e.g., slotting fees, distributor discounts, temporary price reductions, co-op advertising) to ensure accurate net revenue reporting.
• Implement rigorous validation and auditing processes for distributor deductions and billbacks to protect gross margins and minimize disputes.

Inventory & Cost Accounting

• Oversee COGS accounting, including landing costs, inbound freight, customs, tariffs, and assembly/kitting expenses.
• Lead routine inventory reconciliation and establish healthy obsolescence reserves for slow-moving stock.

Risk, Compliance & Systems Integration

• Design, implement, and maintain robust internal financial controls to safeguard company assets as transaction volume scales.
• Manage multi-state sales and excise tax compliance, ensuring accurate tracking of economic nexus using third-party tools (i.e., Numeral).
• Partner with Operations team to optimize workflows and ensure flawless data mapping between sales channels, inventory systems, and the general ledger.
• If necessary, partner with internal stakeholders to implement new accounting systems and ERPs.

Finance Team Leadership

• Design and scale the accounting organizational structure, mapping out future headcount needs to support omni-channel growth.
• Lead the end-to-end recruitment, onboarding, and mentorship of future finance hires, fostering a culture of high performance, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
• Manage and optimize external financial partnerships, including bookkeeping contractors, specialized tax consultants, and other accounting agencies.

SUCCESS METRICS

• Days to close the monthly books (achieving a predictable, efficient close cycle)
• Accuracy of COGS tracking and inventory reconciliation
• Reduction in unrecognized, erroneous, or unexpected distributor deductions and chargebacks
• Implementation of scalable internal controls and GAAP-compliant revenue recognition procedures
• Audit readiness and minimizing year-end adjustments with external CPAs
• Successful optimization and integration of accounting tech stack/ERP systems

QUALIFICATIONS

• 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2–3 years in a Controller or Assistant Controller role.
• Deep experience inside a CPG, manufacturing, or inventory-based retail business.
• Proven technical fluency with multi-channel revenue streams (D2C e-commerce + wholesale/distributors like UNFI, KeHE, etc.).
• Hands-on expertise with mid-to-enterprise level ERPs (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics) and their integrations with Shopify and Amazon is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of ASC 606, trade spend management, and gross-to-net revenue adjustments.
• Active CPA or CMA designation is preferred.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced, ambiguous, high-growth environment where you are building the playbook.