Controller / Accounting Manager (8449)

Direct Hire
St. Louis , United States

Controller / Accounting Manager

Privately Held Company | St. Louis, MO

Position Overview: The Controller leads the company’s day-to-day accounting and financial operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting while building scalable processes to support growth. This is a highly hands-on role responsible for full-cycle accounting, internal controls, and close management, while partnering closely with ownership and operational leaders on financial insights, cash flow, and strategic decision-making. The ideal candidate thrives in a small-company environment, takes strong ownership of outcomes, and balances execution with continuous improvement.
 
Key Responsibilities
Accounting & Financial Reporting
  • Own the full accounting function, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and inventory accounting
  • Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and balance sheet integrity
  • Prepare and review GAAP-compliant financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and variance analysis
  • Maintain accounting policies and ensure compliance with US GAAP and internal control standards
Controls, Compliance & Governance
  • Strengthen internal controls, reconciliations, and documentation across all accounting processes
  • Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including multi-state sales and use tax
  • Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, payroll providers, and other financial partners
Cash Flow & Operational Support
  • Improve cash flow visibility and working capital management, including AR collections, AP cadence, and inventory valuation
  • Provide financial analysis and actionable insights to leadership to support operational and strategic decisions
  • Partner cross-functionally with sales, operations, and supply chain on margins, pricing, cost drivers, and performance metrics
Systems & Process Improvement
  • Own and optimize the ERP system and related financial tools; lead system enhancements or transitions as needed
  • Improve end-to-end accounting processes such as order-to-cash, procure-to-pay, and inventory accounting
  • Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance reporting accuracy, efficiency, and scalability
Leadership & Team Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team
  • Establish clear processes, accountability, and performance standards appropriate for a growing organization
 
Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required
  • 6–12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibility
  • Strong knowledge of full-cycle accounting, US GAAP, and financial statement preparation
  • Experience in manufacturing, distribution, inventory-driven, or regulated environments preferred
  • Proven success improving close processes, internal controls, and reporting in a growth or change environment
  • Hands-on ERP experience (implementation, optimization, or system transition)
  • Experience with multi-state sales tax compliance
  • Advanced Excel skills; BI or reporting tool experience is a plus
  • Strong analytical, organizational, and cross-functional communication skills
  • Detail-oriented, pragmatic, and comfortable operating in a small-company, fast-paced setting
 
Why This Role
  • High-impact controller role with broad ownership and visibility
  • Opportunity to build and improve processes rather than inherit rigid structures
  • Close partnership with leadership and influence on business decisions
  • Stable, privately held company with growth potential

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