HeadHunters NW, an executive search firm specializing in connecting organizations with exceptional leadership talent, is recruiting a Controller for a growing, multi-location company headquartered in the Pacific Northwest.
This is an opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who combines strong technical expertise with a builder's mindset, collaborative leadership, and a commitment to continuous improvement. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in strengthening the company's accounting function, improving financial reporting, developing the accounting team, and providing actionable financial insight to support business decisions.
A Hands-On Leadership Opportunity
Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, the Controller will oversee day-to-day accounting operations while helping establish the processes, systems, and controls needed to support a growing organization.
The position encompasses general accounting, financial reporting, cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and internal controls across multiple locations and business units.
This is not simply a role for someone who can maintain existing processes. The company is seeking a leader who can assess current operations, identify opportunities for improvement, and build a more effective and reliable accounting function.
Key responsibilities include:
- Accounting operations and financial reporting: Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes; oversee general ledger activities, reconciliations, financial statements, accounts payable and receivable, fixed assets, and cash management.
- Cost accounting and inventory: Develop and improve costing processes, inventory valuation, standard costing, production variance analysis, and labor, freight, and overhead allocations. Partner with operations to identify cost drivers and improve financial performance.
- Financial planning and analysis: Support budgeting and forecasting, capital expenditure planning, and cash flow management, including developing and maintaining a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast.
- Systems and process improvement: Improve the accuracy, efficiency, and usefulness of financial data through stronger systems, reporting tools, and streamlined workflows. SAP Business One experience is strongly preferred.
- Controls and compliance: Strengthen accounting policies, internal controls, audit readiness, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and financial reporting requirements.
- Team development: Assess existing capabilities, establish clear responsibilities, coach and mentor accounting personnel, and develop a staffing plan that supports the organization's needs.
- Business partnership and growth: Work collaboratively with operational and executive leaders, support acquisitions and integrations, and contribute to initiatives that improve business performance and prepare the organization for future growth.
The First 90 Days: Stabilize, Strengthen, and Build
The successful candidate will have a clear opportunity to make a measurable impact during the first three months.
The initial priorities will include assessing the current accounting function, identifying risks and opportunities, and establishing a practical improvement plan in partnership with the Vice President of Finance.
By the end of the first 60 days, the goal is to have a more reliable month-end close process, inventory reconciled to the general ledger, a regularly updated cash flow forecast, and an approved accounting team structure and hiring plan.
By day 90, the Controller is expected to be leading the budget process, advancing team recruitment and development, improving management reporting through tools such as Power BI or Tableau, and presenting a six- to twelve-month roadmap for continued improvements in people, systems, controls, and acquisition readiness.
The role will begin with substantial hands-on involvement and evolve toward greater leadership as the accounting team and processes develop.
Qualifications and Experience
The ideal candidate will bring a combination of technical accounting expertise, operational understanding, systems proficiency, and demonstrated leadership ability.
Required qualifications include:
- A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
- At least seven years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Cost Accountant, or in a comparable hands-on financial leadership position.
- Demonstrated cost accounting experience in manufacturing, construction materials, industrial operations, transportation, distribution, or a related environment.
- Strong knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), financial reporting, internal controls, inventory accounting, standard costing, variance analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to work with large data sets, financial models, and reporting tools.
- The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and translate analysis into practical recommendations for operational and executive leaders.
Experience with SAP Business One (SAP B1) is strongly preferred. Experience with system implementation or optimization, Power BI or Tableau, acquisitions and integrations, purchase accounting, or business transformation initiatives will be advantageous. A CPA, CMA, or MBA is preferred.
The successful candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, analytical, and results-driven, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced, growing organization.
Leadership That Builds Confidence and Collaboration
Beyond technical proficiency, the company is seeking someone who understands that effective financial leadership depends on relationships, communication, and trust.
The right candidate will be comfortable building processes where they do not yet exist, making sound decisions with incomplete information, and challenging existing practices constructively when better solutions are available.
This leader will share information, develop colleagues, ask thoughtful questions, embrace change, and work across departmental boundaries to solve problems. The ability to build a capable accounting team while establishing credibility with operations leaders, executive management, auditors, lenders, and other professional partners will be essential.
The Controller must be willing to take ownership, follow through on commitments, and balance attention to detail with a broader understanding of the organization's goals.
Location and Work Arrangement
The company is headquartered in the Pacific Northwest. The role involves travel to other company locations as business needs require.
Onsite work is preferred. However, hybrid flexibility may be considered for the right candidate. Applicants must reside in the Pacific or Mountain time zone.
How to Express Interest
HeadHunters NW welcomes inquiries from qualified accounting professionals who are interested in this opportunity or who know someone who may be an excellent fit.
Interested candidates should contact HeadHunters NW directly.
Email:Shaylene@HeadHuntersNW.com
Phone: 503-551-7114
Website:www.HeadHuntersNW.com
HeadHunters NW is an executive search firm dedicated to connecting organizations with exceptional leadership talent.
About HeadHunters NW
HeadHunters NW provides executive search services to organizations seeking leaders who can make a meaningful difference in business performance and long-term success. Through a relationship-driven approach, the firm works to connect organizations with the talent, experience, and leadership capabilities needed to meet their strategic objectives.
Media and Candidate Inquiries: HeadHunters NW | 503-551-7114 | www.HeadHuntersNW.com