Financial Controller

Stevens Point, WI | Full-Time | On-Site

About the Role

We are seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to establish and manage finance and accounting operations for a growing manufacturing facility. Reporting directly to the CFO at headquarters, this individual contributor will serve as the facility's sole finance professional, with no direct reports planned.

The Controller will build accounting systems, processes, internal controls, and reporting from the ground up while personally handling daily accounting, financial planning, and analysis. This role suits an experienced manufacturing finance professional who can work independently, execute detailed accounting work, and provide practical financial guidance to operations and executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Establish the facility's accounting infrastructure, financial procedures, internal controls, reporting workflows, and financial records.
• Manage daily accounting activities, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, fixed assets, inventory accounting, and the general ledger.
• Execute accurate and timely month-end and year-end close processes in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Prepare financial statements, management reports, and key performance indicator dashboards.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, coordinating department submissions, evaluating assumptions, and presenting the completed budget to the CFO and senior leadership.
• Prepare forecasts, cash flow projections, and financial analyses to support operational and strategic objectives.
• Monitor budget performance, investigate variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Partner with manufacturing operations to analyze production costs, labor efficiency, overhead spending, inventory, and profitability.
• Support pricing reviews, customer proposals, and contract profitability assessments.
• Develop financial analyses and business cases for capital investments and operational improvements, including return-on-investment assessments.
• Implement controls that safeguard company assets and support accurate purchasing, payment, inventory, and financial reporting activities.
• Prepare audit documentation, respond to internal and external audit requests, and coordinate tax reporting with external accountants and advisors.
• Serve as the facility's primary finance contact for headquarters and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting packages.
• Coordinate intercompany transactions, transfer pricing requirements, and corporate financial reporting.
• Support ERP implementation or improvements and standardize financial processes as operations grow.
• Support finance-related compliance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Export Administration Regulations (EAR), and other applicable requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Seven to ten or more years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including at least three to five years as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting professional.
• Manufacturing finance and accounting experience, including cost accounting, inventory accounting, and production cost analysis.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Ability to independently perform detailed accounting work while establishing processes and providing financial guidance to leadership.
• Experience managing month-end close and meeting financial reporting deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP or accounting systems.
• Understanding of Incoterms and their financial implications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to explain financial results and recommendations to manufacturing teams and executive leadership.
• U.S. citizenship required.
• Ability to work on-site in Stevens Point, Wisconsin.

Desired Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation is strongly preferred.
• Experience establishing finance operations for a startup, new facility, or expanding manufacturing business.
• Payroll management experience.
• Experience in aerospace, defense, or another regulated manufacturing industry.
• Experience implementing ERP or accounting systems and establishing financial controls without an existing infrastructure.
• Familiarity with intercompany accounting, transfer pricing, and finance-related export compliance.