Controller

Ferretti Search; Akron (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Ferretti Search is seeking an experienced Controller in Akron, Ohio to lead the company's accounting and financial reporting. This hands-on leadership role balances close ownership with strategic oversight.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in accounting, strong GAAP knowledge, and proven ability to drive process improvements, internal controls, and cross-functional collaboration with executives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Prior Controller or equivalent leadership experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Oversee preparation of accurate financial statements.
• Maintain general ledger ownership and COA.
• Coordinate audits and external reporting.
• Develop improved accounting processes and internal controls.
• Provide insights to executive leadership on financial performance.
• Partner with leadership on budgeting and forecasting.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Communication

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Compensation: Competitive Base Salary + Benefits

About the Opportunity

Ferretti Search is partnering with a growing organization to identify an experienced Controller to lead and oversee the company's accounting and financial reporting functions.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for an accounting professional who enjoys balancing day-to-day accounting ownership with higher-level financial oversight. The Controller will be responsible for ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, maintaining strong accounting processes and controls, supporting business leadership, and helping the organization continue to scale.

The ideal candidate is comfortable operating in a hands-on environment and can move seamlessly between reviewing financial results, leading the close process, improving procedures, and diving into the details when necessary.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

• Key accounting leadership position with significant organizational visibility
• Ownership of the company's accounting and financial reporting functions
• Direct partnership with executive and operational leadership
• Opportunity to improve processes, controls, systems, and reporting
• Ability to influence financial strategy and business decision-making
• Broad exposure across accounting, budgeting, cash flow, compliance, and operations
• Opportunity to help build a scalable accounting infrastructure as the organization grows

Key Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes
• Oversee preparation of accurate and timely financial statements
• Maintain ownership of the general ledger and chart of accounts
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and collections activities
• Ensure appropriate revenue and expense recognition
• Maintain accurate balance sheet reconciliations and supporting documentation
• Analyze financial results and investigate significant trends and variances
• Provide financial reporting and insights to executive leadership
• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and documentation
• Develop and maintain effective internal controls and accounting procedures
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable accounting standards
• Coordinate annual audits, tax preparation, and other external reporting requirements
• Serve as a primary contact for external auditors, tax advisors, banks, and other financial partners
• Support governmental, state, and regulatory reporting requirements as applicable
• Ensure appropriate documentation and financial controls are maintained throughout the organization
• Identify financial and operational risks and implement appropriate controls

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Lead or support annual budgeting and forecasting processes
• Prepare budget-to-actual and financial variance analysis
• Develop cash flow forecasts and monitor liquidity
• Partner with leadership to evaluate financial performance and business trends
• Develop financial models and analysis to support strategic decision-making
• Establish and monitor meaningful financial and operational KPIs
• Provide recommendations to improve profitability, working capital, and financial performance

Cash, Working Capital & Operational Accounting

• Oversee cash management and banking activities
• Monitor accounts receivable, collections, and cash conversion
• Provide oversight of accounts payable and vendor payment processes
• Support inventory accounting, costing, and reconciliations where applicable
• Partner with operational leadership to improve financial visibility and accountability
• Identify opportunities to improve working capital and operational efficiencies

Leadership & Process Improvement

• Lead, develop, and provide direction to accounting team members
• Establish clear responsibilities, processes, and deadlines across the accounting function
• Evaluate existing accounting processes and identify opportunities for improvement
• Drive automation and increased utilization of accounting and ERP systems
• Improve the accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of financial reporting
• Support system implementations, upgrades, and other finance transformation initiatives
• Help build accounting infrastructure capable of supporting continued organizational growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Prior Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar accounting leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting
• Demonstrated experience leading month-end and year-end close
• Strong general ledger, reconciliation, and financial statement preparation experience
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial analysis
• Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting processes
• Experience overseeing AP, AR, billing, and other transactional accounting functions
• Experience working with accounting or ERP systems
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on within the accounting function

Preferred Background

• CPA or CMA preferred but not required
• Manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, logistics, or service industry experience
• Inventory and/or cost accounting experience is a plus
• Experience within a small to mid-sized organization
• ERP implementation or financial systems improvement experience
• Experience building or improving accounting processes and internal controls
• Background supporting growing or evolving organizations
• Experience partnering directly with executive and operational leadership