Assistant Controller

Elite Spice Inc; Hanover (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Elite Spice Inc. is seeking a hands-on accounting leader capable of handling detailed accounting work, financial statement review, team management, and process improvement.

The role requires Excel mastery, strong GAAP knowledge, and the ability to build SOPs while supporting system implementations and automation. The ideal candidate will supervise AR, AP, and staff accountants, maintain internal controls, and collaborate with leadership on budgeting and forecasting.

Qualifications

• Expert-level Excel with advanced formulas and large-data analysis.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and internal controls.
• Experience supervising accounting staff (AR/AP).
• Experience implementing or improving fixed asset processes or systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance; CPA preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close with accurate reporting.
• Review statements, GL activity, reconciliations, and variances.
• Maintain accounting discipline per GAAP and internal controls.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Supervise AR, AP, and staff accountants; train and develop staff.
• Back up Controller and lead accounting operations in absence.

Skills

Excel expert

GAAP knowledge

Staff leadership

Internal controls

Financial analysis

ERP experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CPA-track

Tools

ERP systems

Fixed asset software

Job description

The successful candidate will be a highly capable, hands-on accounting leader who can move confidently between detailed accounting work, financial statement review, team management, and process improvement. This individual will be an Excel expert who prepares and reviews highly accurate formula-driven spreadsheets and financial schedules, a strong financial statement reviewer, an effective manager of AR/AP/accounting staff, and a dependable backup to the Controller. They will bring the discipline to build sustainable SOPs and controls, support ACH and other system implementations, use automation and AI thoughtfully to improve accounting processes, strengthen fixed asset accounting, and keep the company consistently audit- and tax-ready.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and review monthly, quarterly, and annual close activities to ensure complete, accurate, and timely financial reporting.
• Review financial statements, general ledger activity, balance sheet reconciliations, variance analyses, and supporting schedules; investigate and resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain strong accounting discipline in accordance with GAAP, company policies, legal requirements, and established internal controls.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, and variance analysis in partnership with the Controller and finance leadership.
• Directly supervise, coach, and develop the Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Staff Accountant functions; set priorities, review work, manage deadlines, and provide ongoing training and feedback.
• Serve as the primary backup to the Controller, assuming responsibility for accounting operations, reporting, approvals, issue resolution, and departmental leadership during the Controller’s absence.
• Participate in recruiting, interviewing, onboarding, performance management, and development of accounting team members as needed.

Fixed Assets, Controls & SOPs

• Lead the implementation and ongoing administration of the fixed asset process and/or fixed asset system module, including capitalization policies, asset registers, depreciation schedules, transfers, disposals, reconciliations, and reporting.
• Develop, document, maintain, and continuously improve accounting standard operating procedures (SOPs), desk procedures, workflows, and internal controls across the accounting function.
• Identify and implement opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual work, strengthen controls, improve data integrity, and enhance reporting quality and timeliness, including appropriate use of AI-enabled tools, automation, and other process-improvement technologies.

Tax & Audit

• Coordinate tax compliance and preparation of supporting schedules for federal, state, local, sales/use, property, activity, corporate, and other applicable taxes; work with outside tax advisors as needed.
• Prepare or coordinate R&D and other tax-support schedules where applicable.
• Lead audit preparation and readiness, including reconciliations, schedules, supporting documentation, confirmations, PBC requests, and coordination with internal departments and external auditors through completion.

Systems, Treasury & Process Improvement

• Partner with IT and business teams to improve accounting systems, reporting, data integrity, and workflows, including AP, AR, fixed assets, ACH/payment processes, ERP-related initiatives, automation, and appropriate AI-enabled solutions.
• Support accounting system implementations, upgrades, integrations, ACH implementation and payment-process improvements, chart-of-accounts maintenance, and related process redesign.
• Oversee or review key accounting and treasury controls such as bank reconciliations, Positive Pay, ACH processes and controls, and other assigned cash-management activities.

Required Skills & Experience

• Expert-level Microsoft Excel skills are required, with demonstrated mastery of advanced formulas and functions such as XLOOKUP/INDEX-MATCH, SUMIFS, IF/IFS, nested formulas, PivotTables, data validation, large-data analysis, and complex reconciliations. Must be able to prepare accurate, well-organized, formula-driven spreadsheets, financial schedules, reconciliations, and reporting models; validate formulas and source data; identify spreadsheet errors; and maintain strong controls over spreadsheet accuracy and integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to review financial statements and identify, research, and resolve accounting issues.
• Prior experience supervising or managing accounting staff, preferably including AR, AP, and general/staff accounting personnel.
• Hands-on fixed asset accounting experience; experience implementing or significantly improving a fixed asset process or system module is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, reconciliations, internal controls, taxes, audit preparation, and financial reporting.
• Experience developing accounting SOPs and improving processes and controls, including automation, AI-enabled tools, and other efficiency initiatives where appropriate.
• Experience working with ERP/accounting systems and supporting system implementations, upgrades, integrations, ACH/payment implementations, automation, AI-enabled process improvements, or process redesign.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities.

Education & Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• CPA or CPA-track preferred.
• Progressive accounting experience appropriate for an Assistant Controller-level role.
• Experience in manufacturing, distribution, food, ingredient, or another operationally complex environment is a plus.