Company Controller
Department: Finance & Accounting
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer / Executive Leadership
Location: Burlington, NC
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
Piedmont Metals is seeking an experienced Company Controller to lead the accounting and financial operations of our growing manufacturing organization. The Controller is responsible for the overall integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of the Company's financial records, reporting, accounting processes, and internal controls.
The ideal candidate has strong accounting leadership experience in a manufacturing environment and a solid understanding of general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, inventory, and cost accounting.
This is a hands-on leadership position for an accounting professional who can provide strategic financial guidance while remaining actively involved in the day-to-day financial operations of the business.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Financial Operations
- Oversee all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and financial reporting.
- Manage and oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
- Ensure accurate and timely preparation of financial statements and management reports.
- Maintain the integrity and accuracy of the general ledger and accounting records.
- Establish and maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and overall financial performance.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, and company policies.
- Oversee account reconciliations and ensure financial transactions are properly recorded and supported.
Manufacturing Finance & Cost Accounting
- Oversee manufacturing cost accounting and partner closely with Operations and Production leadership.
- Monitor direct labor, direct materials, manufacturing overhead, inventory, and production costs.
- Review product costing, standard costs, manufacturing variances, and production margins.
- Partner with the Cost Accountant to ensure accurate inventory valuation and production costing.
- Analyze manufacturing variances and identify opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
- Provide financial insight into the impact of production decisions, pricing, labor, materials, scrap, and overhead.
- Support management in evaluating manufacturing performance and cost-saving opportunities.
Financial Reporting & Analysis
- Prepare and present monthly financial statements and financial performance reports to executive leadership.
- Analyze financial results and provide meaningful explanations of variances, trends, and financial performance.
- Develop financial reports and key performance indicators (KPIs) to support management decision-making.
- Assist with annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning.
- Provide financial analysis related to capital expenditures, operational investments, and business initiatives.
- Support leadership with financial information needed to evaluate business performance and future opportunities.
Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable
- Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes.
- Establish and maintain appropriate controls around vendor payments, customer collections, and cash management.
- Monitor outstanding receivables and support effective collection strategies.
- Ensure accurate vendor management and payment processes.
- Review and approve financial transactions in accordance with company policies and established controls.
Leadership & Business Partnership
- Lead, develop, and support accounting personnel.
- Establish clear expectations, processes, and accountability within the Finance & Accounting department.
- Partner with Operations, HR, Purchasing, Sales, and executive leadership.
- Provide financial guidance and support to department leaders and operational managers.
- Communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial personnel.
- Identify process improvements, efficiencies, and opportunities to strengthen financial controls.
- Support executive leadership with accurate and timely financial information for business decisions.
Audit, Tax & Compliance
- Coordinate annual financial audits and work with external accounting professionals as needed.
- Support tax filings, compliance requirements, and external financial reporting.
- Maintain appropriate documentation and controls for financial transactions.
- Ensure accounting practices remain compliant with applicable accounting standards, regulations, and company policies.
- Support internal and external audits by providing accurate financial records and documentation.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Maintain and improve accounting processes, procedures, and internal controls.
- Support the accuracy and effectiveness of ERP and accounting systems.
- Identify opportunities to automate, streamline, and improve financial processes.
- Ensure financial systems and reporting tools provide accurate and useful information to management.
- Support system implementations, upgrades, and process improvements as needed.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Seven (7)+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
- Previous experience as a Controller, Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, or Senior Accounting professional with significant responsibility.
- Strong understanding of general accounting, financial reporting, reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing accounting and cost accounting.
- Experience with ERP and accounting systems.
- Strong Microsoft Excel and financial analysis skills.
- Demonstrated experience leading, managing, or developing accounting personnel.
- Strong understanding of internal controls and financial processes.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred
- CPA or equivalent professional designation.
- Manufacturing industry experience.
- Experience with manufacturing ERP/MRP systems.
- Experience in a growing or multi-location manufacturing organization.
- Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling.
- Experience improving accounting processes, controls, and financial systems.
- Experience with inventory accounting and manufacturing cost accounting.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing cost accounting and inventory valuation.
- Ability to analyze financial statements and explain financial performance to executive and operational leadership.
- Strong knowledge of internal controls, reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
- Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
- Ability to work effectively with ERP and accounting systems.
- Strong leadership and team development skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive financial information.
- Strong business judgment and ability to make sound financial recommendations.
Physical Requirements
- Ability to sit and work at a computer for extended periods throughout the workday.
- Ability to use standard office equipment, including computers, keyboards, telephones, printers, and scanners.
- Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, and reach while performing job duties.
- Ability to occasionally lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
- Ability to maintain visual acuity necessary to review financial statements, reports, spreadsheets, and accounting records.
- Ability to walk through manufacturing and warehouse areas as needed.
- Ability to safely work around forklifts, cranes, and other manufacturing equipment.
- Ability to wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when entering production areas.
What Success Looks Like
The successful Controller will establish and maintain a strong, accurate, and efficient accounting function while providing executive leadership with clear and timely financial visibility.
Success in this role includes:
- Accurate and timely month-end and year-end financial close.
- Reliable and accurate financial statements and management reporting.
- Strong internal controls and well-maintained accounting processes.
- Accurate inventory and manufacturing cost reporting.
- Effective management of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and cash flow.
- Meaningful financial analysis that supports business decisions.
- Strong partnership between Finance, Operations, Production, Purchasing, HR, Sales, and Executive Leadership.
- Development of a capable and accountable Finance & Accounting team.
- Continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting.
- Providing leadership with the financial insight necessary to support continued company growth and profitability.
Piedmont Metals is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating a safe, productive, and team-oriented workplace.
Pay: From $75,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) 4% Match
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Opportunities for advancement
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
