Job Title: Controller (Hands-on / Heavy Bookkeeping) – Industrial Supply Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, detail-oriented, and hands-on Controller to oversee financial operations for our industrial supply business. Unlike traditional, purely oversight-focused corporate roles, this position requires a unique blend of high-level financial strategy and heavy, direct bookkeeping execution.

The ideal candidate will be deeply familiar with the nuances of industrial distribution—including multi-location inventory costing, supply chain logistics, freight allocation, and high-volume vendor management. You will act as the primary financial anchor, managing both the big-picture financial health and the daily transaction-level accounting.

Key Responsibilities1. Controller & Financial Oversight (Strategic)

• Prepare, analyze, and present accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements tracking profitability by branch, product category, and territory.
• Conduct regular gross margin analysis to identify pricing leakage, rebate opportunities, and shifts in product mix.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and manage short- and long-term cash flow forecasting to support inventory purchasing cycles.
• Coordinate with external CPA firms for year-end tax planning, corporate structure compliance, and audits.
• Establish and enforce strict internal financial controls over inventory valuation, cycle counting, and purchasing authorizations.

2. Full-Charge Bookkeeping & Daily Operations (Hands-on)

• Inventory & Cost Accounting: Oversee general ledger accuracy regarding inventory valuation (FIFO/Average Cost) and manage month-end inventory reconciliations between the warehouse management system (WMS) and ERP.
• Accounts Payable (AP): Execute the full AP cycle for domestic and international vendors, ensuring strict 3-way matching (Purchase Order, Receiving Log, and Vendor Invoice). Manage freight-in cost allocations.
• Accounts Receivable (AR) & Credit Management: Oversee commercial customer billing, process progressive payment terms, and manage commercial credit risk evaluations for new industrial accounts.
• Reconciliations: Perform monthly reconciliations of all corporate bank accounts, lines of credit, and balance sheet accounts.
• Payroll & Sales Tax Compliance: Process company payroll (including complex commission structures for outside sales reps). Oversee multi-jurisdictional destination sales tax reporting and exemption certificate management.

Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2–3 years in a heavy, hands-on bookkeeping role specifically within industrial supply, wholesale distribution, or manufacturing.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or equivalent deep hands-on industry experience.
• Software Expertise: Deep proficiency in mid-tier ERP/Distribution software (e.g., NetSuite, Epicor Prophet 21, Infor, Sage, or QuickBooks Enterprise with advanced inventory modules). Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, data manipulation) are non-negotiable.
• Industry Knowledge: Solid grasp of inventory turns, margin calculations, freight landing costs, GAAP compliance, and multi-state distribution tax laws.
• Attributes: High autonomy, an eagle-eye attention to detail, and the ability to seamlessly pivot between data entry and high-level financial strategy.