Controller

The HT Group; Cleveland (TN); On-site; USD 145,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

The HT Group partners with a growing Tennessee manufacturing client to hire a hands-on Controller to lead accounting and reporting. This on-site role focuses on cost accounting, inventory management and ERP optimization to support growth.

Ideal candidates bring strong manufacturing accounting experience, team leadership, and partnership with operations to drive performance. Base pay is $145,000-$155,000 plus annual bonus (DOE).

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• Proven experience as a Controller or similar leadership role.
• Strong manufacturing accounting experience, including inventory accounting and product costing.
• Experience managing month-end close, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit prep.
• Knowledge of cash forecasting, budgeting, modeling, banking, covenant reporting.
• Hands-on ERP experience with successful system improvements.
• Experience leading a small accounting team.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Willingness to stay hands-on with day-to-day accounting.

Responsibilities

• Oversee general accounting activities, GL, journals, reconciliations, and close.
• Prepare financial statements, reports, and variance analyses.
• Lead and develop accounting personnel, including AP/AR/billing.
• Manage cash forecasting, banking relationships, and covenant reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling for operations.
• Partner with manufacturing to improve inventory accounting and costing.
• Optimize NetSuite ERP functionality and controls.
• Strengthen internal controls and audit readiness.
• Coordinate year-end audit activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and reporting.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Inventory accounting

Product costing

ERP experience

Team leadership

Financial reporting

Audit readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

NetSuite ERP

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Controller – Manufacturing
Location:Cleveland/Athens, TN Area
Compensation:$145,000-$155,000 Base (DOE) + Annual Bonus
Employment Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement:On-Site

The HT Group has recently partnered with a growing manufacturing entity in the search for an experienced, hands‑on Controller to lead its accounting and financial reporting functions. This individual will work closely with executive leadership to strengthen financial processes, improve operational visibility, and develop an accounting infrastructure that supports continued growth.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with practical manufacturing experience, particularly in cost accounting, inventory management, and ERP systems. This is an opportunity for a finance leader who enjoys improving processes, developing teams, and partnering with operations to drive business performance.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee all general accounting activities, including the general ledger, journal entries, reconciliations, and monthly and annual close processes.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements, management reports, and variance analyses.
• Lead and develop accounting personnel, including oversight of accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and collections.
• Manage cash forecasting, daily cash activities, banking relationships, and financial covenant reporting.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling to support operational and strategic decisions.
• Partner with manufacturing and operations leadership to improve inventory accounting, product costing, and profitability analysis.
• Optimize NetSuite ERP functionality, including financial reporting, workflows, controls, and system efficiencies.
• Strengthen internal controls, accounting procedures, and documentation to support audit readiness.
• Coordinate year-end audit preparation and respond to external auditor requests.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, reporting accuracy, and operational efficiency.
• Support payroll, business insurance, and selected administrative activities as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Proven experience as a Controller or in a comparable accounting leadership position.
• Strong manufacturing accounting experience, including inventory accounting and product costing.
• Experience independently managing month-end close, financial reporting, internal controls, and audit preparation.
• Strong knowledge of cash forecasting, budgeting, financial modeling, banking, and covenant reporting.
• Hands‑on ERP experience with demonstrated success improving accounting systems and processes.
• Experience leading and developing a small accounting team.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to communicate financial results and recommendations effectively to executive and operational leadership.
• Willingness to remain hands‑on with day‑to‑day accounting responsibilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong NetSuite ERP experience, including reporting, process improvements, and system optimization.
• Experience improving manufacturing cost accounting and inventory reporting processes.
• Background working within a growing manufacturing organization.
• Experience strengthening internal controls and building scalable accounting procedures.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus annual bonus program
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays