Assistant Controller

Forum Contract Manufacturing; Watertown (CT); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Forum Contract Manufacturing in Watertown, CT, seeks an experienced Assistant Controller to lead day-to-day accounting and financial reporting. This is a hands-on role with growth into broader financial leadership.

Reporting to the Controller, you will own close processes, cost accounting, BOMs, variance analysis, and collaboration with operations. Proficiency with ERP, Power BI, and AI-enabled automation will help transform finance productivity.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, month-end close, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Support and progressively own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close.
• Prepare and review financial statements, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and management reporting.
• Analyze actual results versus budget, forecast, and prior year and explain key business drivers.
• Manage standard costing, inventory accounting, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, and other departments to improve financial and operational performance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash-flow analysis, KPIs, and financial modeling.
• Assist with annual audits, internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance.
• Help lead and develop members of the Accounting team.
• Identify inefficient processes and implement practical solutions.
• Utilize ERP capabilities, Power BI, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve reporting and Finance productivity.

Skills

GAAP

Month-end close

Financial reporting

Excel

ERP systems

Leadership

Automation/AI tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Power BI

Job description

We are seeking a motivated, hands‑on Assistant Controller to join our growing manufacturing organization. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced accounting professional who wants more than a traditional accounting role and is ready to grow into broader financial leadership.

Reporting directly to the Controller, this individual will be developed to take significant ownership of the company’s day-to-day accounting and financial reporting activities. We are looking for someone who is curious, driven, improvement-minded, and eager to learn the business.

The right candidate will not simply maintain existing processes. We want someone who will identify opportunities for improvement, implement change, leverage technology and AI, automate repetitive work, and help us continue building a more efficient and forward‑looking Finance department.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and progressively take ownership of the monthly, quarterly, and annual close.
• Prepare and review financial statements, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, and management reporting.
• Analyze actual results versus budget, forecast, and prior year and explain key business drivers.
• Manage and improve standard costing, inventory accounting, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Purchasing, Sales, and other departments to improve financial and operational performance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, cash‑flow analysis, KPIs, and financial modeling.
• Assist with annual audits, internal controls, accounting policies, and compliance.
• Help lead and develop members of the Accounting team.
• Identify inefficient processes and implement practical solutions.
• Utilize ERP capabilities, Power BI, automation, and AI‑enabled tools to improve reporting, analysis, and Finance productivity.
• Work directly with the Controller on strategic projects and progressively assume greater responsibility within the Finance organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, month‑end close, and financial reporting.
• Manufacturing and cost‑accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory, BOMs, and manufacturing variance analysis preferred.
• Strong Microsoft Excel and Word skills and experience working with ERP/accounting systems.
• Power BI, automation, or AI-tool experience is a plus.
• CPA, CMA, MBA, or progress toward a professional designation is a plus but not required.

Who We Are Looking For

We are looking for someone who takes ownership, asks questions, solves problems, and wants to make an impact. You should be comfortable challenging inefficient processes, learning new technology, working across departments, and taking on increasing responsibility.

This role offers direct exposure to the Controller and senior leadership and is designed for someone who wants to continue developing toward future Finance leadership opportunities.

If you are ambitious, hands‑on, eager to learn, and excited about helping modernize a Finance organization while growing your own career, we would like to hear from you.