Assistant Controller

Vivet Inc.; Greensboro (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Vivet Inc. seeks an Assistant Controller to oversee key accounting operations across our furniture brands. You will own month-end and year-end closes, manage audits, and strengthen internal controls while leading a small accounting team.

The ideal candidate has public accounting or external audit experience, strong U.S. GAAP knowledge, and the ability to drive process improvements. This role combines strategic financial problem-solving with hands-on leadership in a growing shared services

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 5–8 years of progressive accounting experience with close processes.
• Experience coordinating external audits and preparing audit workpapers.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls.
• Experience supervising accounting professionals.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes with timely reporting.
• Prepare journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and schedules.
• Coordinate external audits and respond to auditor inquiries.
• Manage borrowing base reporting and covenant calculations.
• Oversee multistate sales and use tax compliance.
• Develop and mentor two accounting staff members.
• Collaborate with Finance leadership to strengthen controls.

Skills

Strong analytical skills

Leadership and team supervision

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP

Excel

Enterprise accounting systems

Job description

Vivet, Inc. provides shared business services to a distinguished portfolio of furniture brands, including A.R.T. Furniture, Caracole, and Rowe Furniture.

Our Finance, People & Culture, Information Technology, and Operations teams work collaboratively to support the financial performance, operational effectiveness, and continued success of our brands.

We believe in accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and developing talented professionals who take pride in delivering exceptional results.

Position Summary

Vivet is seeking a hands-on, detail-oriented Assistant Controller to oversee key accounting operations, financial reporting, and compliance activities across our portfolio of furniture brands.

Reporting to the Sr. Director of Finance and Accounting, this position will own the month-end and year-end close processes, coordinate external financial and bank audits, oversee borrowing base reporting and financial covenant calculations, manage multistate sales and use tax compliance, and support budgeting and financial analysis.

The Assistant Controller will supervise two accounting team members and work closely with Finance leadership to strengthen internal controls, improve reporting accuracy, and streamline accounting processes.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills, public accounting or external audit experience, and hands-on corporate accounting expertise. This individual must be comfortable independently executing complex accounting tasks while leading a team and driving continuous improvement.

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys both strategic financial problem-solving and hands-on accounting leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules.
• Analyze general ledger activity, investigate discrepancies, and resolve complex accounting issues.
• Prepare and review financial statements and supporting documentation in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain an effective closing calendar with clear deadlines, responsibilities, and accountability.

2. External Audits & Financial Compliance

• Serve as a primary contact for external financial statement auditors.
• Coordinate audit requests, schedules, supporting documentation, and responses to auditor inquiries.
• Independently prepare and review audit workpapers and technical accounting analyses.
• Track audit findings and coordinate corrective actions.
• Maintain effective accounting policies, internal controls, and audit-ready documentation throughout the year.

3. Banking Relationships, Covenants & Lender Reporting

• Coordinate bank audits, collateral reviews, and borrowing base examinations.
• Review borrowing base certificates, financial schedules, and required lender reporting.
• Calculate and monitor financial covenants in accordance with applicable lending agreements.
• Identify potential covenant compliance issues and elevate concerns to Finance leadership.
• Support cash flow analysis, working capital reporting, and lender information requests.
• Prepare, review, reconcile, and timely file multistate sales and use tax returns.
• Reconcile sales and use tax liabilities to the general ledger and filed returns.
• Maintain supporting schedules, documentation, and compliance calendars.
• Monitor applicable filing requirements and regulatory changes.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors and tax authorities as needed.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen sales tax controls, accuracy, and reporting processes.

5. Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.
• Prepare monthly budget-to-actual analyses and investigate material variances.
• Identify financial trends, operational risks, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with department and brand leadership to support informed business decisions.
• Assist with special projects and financial analysis initiatives.
• Supervise, coach, and develop two accounting team members.
• Establish clear responsibilities, performance expectations, and accountability standards.
• Review accounting work for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established procedures.
• Support cross-training, knowledge sharing, and succession planning within the Finance team.
• Promote a culture of teamwork, ownership, continuous learning, and operational excellence.

7. Systems, Controls & Process Improvement

• Utilize SAP and related financial systems to maintain accurate accounting records and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to streamline close activities, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Support accounting automation and AI-enabled process improvements.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and internal controls.
• Collaborate with Finance, IT, Operations, and other teams to resolve accounting issues and improve efficiency.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance, with a strong foundation in financial accounting.
• Minimum 5–8 years of progressive accounting experience, including substantial hands‑on corporate accounting responsibilities.
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage month-end and year-end close processes.
• Experience coordinating external financial statement audits and preparing audit support schedules.
• Hands‑on experience with bank audits, borrowing base reporting, and financial covenant calculations.
• Direct experience preparing and filing multistate sales and use tax returns.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and financial variance analysis.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Experience supervising, coaching, or leading accounting professionals.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with enterprise accounting systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet critical deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public accounting or external audit experience.
• SAP experience.
• Experience in wholesale distribution, furniture, or a related industry.
• Experience supporting multiple business units or a shared‑services organization.
• Experience improving close processes, internal controls, and accounting automation.

What Success Looks Like

Within the first 12 months, the Assistant Controller will be expected to:

• Independently manage timely, accurate, and well‑documented monthly and annual closes.
• Coordinate external financial audits and bank examinations efficiently.
• Deliver accurate borrowing base reports and financial covenant calculations on schedule.
• Maintain timely and accurate multistate sales and use tax filings and reconciliations.
• Improve audit readiness, internal controls, and supporting documentation.
• Strengthen the consistency and efficiency of financial reporting processes.
• Develop a capable, accountable, and collaborative accounting team.
• Establish a strong working partnership with Finance leadership and business stakeholders.

Our Ideal Candidate

Our ideal candidate is a technically strong accounting professional who combines public accounting discipline, corporate accounting experience, and a hands‑on leadership mindset.

They are comfortable owning the close, preparing complex reconciliations, working directly with auditors and lenders, managing tax compliance, and developing accounting team members. They demonstrate sound judgment, attention to detail, accountability, and a proactive approach to resolving issues.

Above all, they take ownership of their work and are committed to building reliable, efficient, and scalable accounting processes that support Vivet's continued growth.