Controller

Tidewater Direct; Centreville (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Tidewater Direct, LLC, located in Centreville, Maryland, seeks an experienced Controller to lead our accounting department on-site. The role offers a path to transition before the current Controller retires and targets a start by year-end 2026 with compensation exceeding $100,000 annually.

The ideal candidate will manage GL, payroll, cash, and variances while partnering with leadership to drive cost analysis, inventory controls, and robust financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Proven success as a Controller or senior accounting leader with hands-on, full-cycle accounting.
• Manufacturing accounting experience including job costing, inventory, and cost analysis.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks and Excel; ability to learn new software and ERP systems.
• Strong problem solving, communication, and leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily accounting operations: GL, AP/AR, reconciliations, payroll oversight, cash management.
• Own month-end and year-end closings and financial reporting in a timely manner.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow projections.
• Maintain internal controls and coordinate with external accountants for tax and reviews.
• Analyze manufacturing costs, inventory, margins, and profitability for leadership.
• Improve accounting processes and accounting systems with appropriate controls.
• Leverage Excel, automation, and AI where appropriate to enhance reporting.
• Coach and develop the accounting team and document key processes.
• Partner with leadership to evaluate investments and support business decisions.

Skills

Controller leadership

Manufacturing accounting

Job costing

Inventory management

QuickBooks

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

QuickBooks

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Tidewater Direct, LLC | Centreville, Maryland

Full-Time | On-Site | Target Start: By Year-End 2026

Tidewater Direct is an established commercial printing and manufacturing company with operations in Maryland and Iowa. We’re seeking an experienced, hands‑on Controller to lead our accounting department and help strengthen the financial systems, reporting, and processes that support our business.

Our current Controller plans to retire in 2027. We’re beginning the search now to allow for a thoughtful transition, knowledge transfer, and time to learn our operations.

Compensation package to exceed $100,000 per year

This role offers direct access to company leadership and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. We’re looking for someone who takes ownership, understands the details, develops their team, and turns financial information into practical guidance.

What You’ll Do

• Lead daily accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, payroll oversight, and cash management.
• Own timely, accurate month‑end and year‑end closings and financial reporting.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cash‑flow projections.
• Maintain strong internal controls and coordinate with outside accountants on tax preparation and financial reviews.
• Help leadership understand performance across facilities, including manufacturing costs, inventory, margins, and profitability.
• Improve the accuracy, consistency, and usefulness of financial information within our accounting and ERP systems.
• Identify and implement practical improvements using Excel, automation, AI, and other tools while maintaining appropriate controls and verification.
• Coach and develop the accounting team, establish clear responsibilities, and document key processes.
• Partner with leadership and operations to identify problems, evaluate investments, and support sound business decisions.

What You Bring

• Proven success as aControlleror senior accounting leader, with strong hands‑on, full‑cycle accounting skills.
• Experience in manufacturing accounting, including job costing, inventory, and cost analysis, strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks and Excel, along with a strong aptitude for learning new computer software and accounting systems.
• The ability to investigate discrepancies, solve problems, and follow issues through to resolution.
• Experience improving accounting processes and a willingness to learn and apply new technology.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain financial information clearly.
• A collaborative leadership style, sound judgment, and a high level of accountability.
• A degree in Accounting or Finance preferred; equivalent relevant experience considered.

Who Will Thrive Here

You’re comfortable moving between detailed accounting work and broader financial analysis. You can lead a department while staying close enough to the work to understand it. You respect what works, ask thoughtful questions, and take initiative to make things better.

Interested?

Tidewater Direct, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.