Controller

Confidential Careers; Buffalo Grove (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Careers in Buffalo Grove, IL seeks a Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, and operational finance. You will serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership and oversee all close, budgeting, forecasting, and ERP systems.

The role emphasizes building a scalable finance function, driving process improvements, and partnering with global teams and HQ to enhance financial performance and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA strongly preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including leadership experience
• Background in manufacturing or industrial environments strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of financial accounting, cost accounting, and cash management
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA or similar)
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive process improvements, and partner with operations

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting, financial reporting, and cash management functions to support operational and strategic objectives
• Own the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, providing actionable insights to leadership
• Serve as the finance lead for ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA preferred), ensuring data integrity and optimizing workflows
• Maintain and enhance internal controls (ICS) and ensure compliance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements
• Partner closely with the General Manager and leadership team to drive strategic initiatives and improve financial performance
• Lead and develop the finance team, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management
• Collaborate with global teams and corporate headquarters to drive consistency, efficiency, and best practices
• Manage external audit processes and ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements
• Deliver insightful financial analysis and reporting to support decision-making and business growth

Skills

Leadership

Forecasting

Cash management

Financial reporting

Cost accounting

Education

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

CPA strongly preferred

Tools

SAP S/4HANA

Job description

We are partnering with a well-established and growing organization in the Buffalo Grove area seeking a Controller to serve as a key financial leader within the business. This role will act as a strategic partner to executive leadership while overseeing all aspects of accounting, financial reporting, and operational finance.

This is a highly visible position offering the opportunity to drive process improvements, influence business decisions, and build a strong, scalable finance function.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting, financial reporting, and cash management functions to support operational and strategic objectives
• Own the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and continuous improvement
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning, providing actionable insights to leadership
• Serve as the finance lead for ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA preferred), ensuring data integrity and optimizing workflows
• Maintain and enhance internal controls (ICS) and ensure compliance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements
• Partner closely with the General Manager and leadership team to drive strategic initiatives and improve financial performance
• Lead and develop the finance team, including hiring, mentoring, and performance management
• Collaborate with global teams and corporate headquarters to drive consistency, efficiency, and best practices
• Manage external audit processes and ensure compliance with all financial reporting requirements
• Deliver insightful financial analysis and reporting to support decision-making and business growth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA strongly preferred)
• 10+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including leadership experience
• Background in manufacturing or industrial environments strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of financial accounting, cost accounting, and cash management
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP S/4HANA or similar)
• Proven ability to lead teams, drive process improvements, and partner with operations

What Sets This Role Apart

• High visibility with executive leadership and global teams
• Opportunity to drive transformation and process improvements
• Blend of strategic leadership and hands-on execution
• Stable yet growing organization with a strong operational footprint

Leadership & Impact

This individual will operate as a key business partner, helping shape financial strategy, improve operational performance, and build a best-in-class finance function.