Controller

Lucas James Talent Partners; Deerfield (IL); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Lucas James Talent Partners, in partnership with Solutions Healthcare Utilities Inc., seeks a seasoned Controller to build and lead the accounting function for its first manufacturing operation. You will own the close, manage cash, and develop a scalable finance team reporting to the President.

The role offers a clear path to Chief Financial Officer as the company scales, with on-site work in Bannockburn, Illinois and periodic travel to Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is required.
• Typically eight or more years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of close and financial statements as a Controller or senior accounting leader.
• Manufacturing accounting experience including inventory, cost accounting, fixed assets, and capital projects.
• Strong US GAAP knowledge and experience supporting external financial statement audits.
• Hands-on ERP proficiency and advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to explain financial results, liquidity, and business implications clearly to executives.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close, including journal entries, accruals, balance-sheet reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Manage accounts payable, disbursements, payroll accounting, expense reporting, and fixed assets.
• Account for construction in progress and capital equipment, including milestone payments, foreign-currency purchases, capitalization, capitalized interest, and depreciation.
• Establish inventory and manufacturing cost accounting ahead of commercial production, including standard costs, bills of material, production variances, and cost of goods sold.
• Build a chart of accounts and reporting structure that supports plant, department, project, and product analysis.
• Prepare US GAAP financial statements and management reporting for the President and Board.
• Lead annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and budget-to-actual analysis with department leaders.
• Maintain a multiyear financial model covering construction, startup costs, capital expenditures, headcount, operating expenses, and revenue growth.
• Own the 13-week and long-range cash forecasts, daily cash position, banking relationships, and payment controls.
• Administer financing requirements, including draw requests, interest and fee calculations, covenant compliance, and reporting to capital providers.
• Research and document technical accounting matters involving debt, leases, inventory, revenue recognition, and capitalized interest.
• Lead ERP and accounting-system selection and implementation across financial and manufacturing functions.

Skills

US GAAP knowledge

ERP proficiency

Financial planning

Executive communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA designation (preferred)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Reports to: President

Employment: Full time

Travel: Periodic travel to Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin

Lucas James Talent Partners is partnering with Solutions Healthcare Utilities Inc. to recruit a Controller to build and lead the accounting function as the company establishes its first manufacturing operation.

Reporting directly to the President, you’ll combine hands‑on accounting ownership with financial planning and business partnership. You’ll establish manufacturing costing, implement systems and controls, manage cash and financial reporting, and develop an accounting team as the organization expands.

The position offers the opportunity to grow into the Chief Financial Officer role as the company scales, based on performance and business needs.

What you’ll do

Accounting and manufacturing finance

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close, including journal entries, accruals, balance‑sheet reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Manage accounts payable, disbursements, payroll accounting, expense reporting, and fixed assets.
• Account for construction in progress and capital equipment, including milestone payments, foreign‑currency purchases, capitalization, capitalized interest, and depreciation.
• Establish inventory and manufacturing cost accounting ahead of commercial production, including standard costs, bills of material, production variances, and cost of goods sold.
• Build a chart of accounts and reporting structure that supports plant, department, project, and product analysis.

Reporting, planning, and cash management

• Prepare US GAAP financial statements and management reporting for the President and Board.
• Lead annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and budget‑to‑actual analysis with department leaders.
• Maintain a multiyear financial model covering construction, startup costs, capital expenditures, headcount, operating expenses, and revenue growth.
• Own the 13‑week and long‑range cash forecasts, daily cash position, banking relationships, and payment controls.
• Administer financing requirements, including draw requests, interest and fee calculations, covenant compliance, and reporting to capital providers.
• Research and document technical accounting matters involving debt, leases, inventory, revenue recognition, and capitalized interest.

Controls, systems, and team development

• Establish accounting policies, internal controls, and appropriate segregation of duties.
• Lead external financial statement audits, including preparation, fieldwork coordination, and resolution of findings.
• Coordinate applicable tax compliance with outside advisers.
• Maintain insurance programs and the corporate compliance calendar.
• Lead ERP and accounting‑system selection and implementation across financial and manufacturing functions.
• Improve close, reconciliation, and reporting through practical automation and appropriate use of AI tools.
• Hire, develop, and lead the accounting team as operations grow.

What you bring

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Typically eight or more years of progressive accounting experience, including ownership of close and financial statements as a Controller or a senior accounting leader ready for that step.
• Manufacturing accounting experience, including inventory, cost accounting, fixed assets, and capital projects.
• Strong US GAAP knowledge and experience supporting external financial statement audits.
• Demonstrated ownership of budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and cash planning.
• Hands‑on ERP proficiency and advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to explain financial results, liquidity, and business implications clearly to executives and operational leaders.
• Willingness to personally perform detailed accounting work while building processes and resources around the function.
• Sound judgment, attention to detail, and an adaptable, collaborative approach.

Helpful additional experience

• CPA designation; public accounting experience; an MBA or master’s degree in Accounting.
• ERP selection or implementation.
• Startup operations, plant construction, or capital-intensive manufacturing.
• Private equity or other institutionally backed businesses.
• Debt compliance, lender reporting, and multientity or multisite operations.
• Practical application of automation or AI in accounting and analysis.

Work environment

This role is onsite in Bannockburn, Illinois, with periodic travel to the Mount Pleasant manufacturing plant. The initial team is lean, so the Controller will work directly in the accounting records while establishing scalable systems and processes. Additional hours may be required during close, audit, budgeting, and financing cycles.