Controller

Watts Water Technologies; Escondido (CA); On-site; USD 133,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical & dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

Watts Water Technologies is seeking an experienced accounting leader to join its Americas accounting team as Controller in Escondido, CA. You will lead monthly closes, financial reporting, billing oversight, and internal controls while partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure accurate reporting.

The role requires 7+ years of accounting experience, a bachelor’s degree, and supervisory experience. Hybrid work arrangement (onsite 3 days, remote 2 days) in Escondido with ERP and system

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• 2+ years of supervisory or close ownership experience.
• Strong general ledger and month-end close experience.
• ERP experience; Epicor preferred.
• SOX/compliance, audit support familiarity.
• GAAP and financial reporting knowledge.
• Advanced Excel and MS Office skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close and manage journal entries.
• Review and approve reconciliations, billing, and AR/collections activities.
• Oversee billing, collections, AR aging, and DSO performance.
• Manage batch posting and close processes across periods.
• Maintain balance sheet accounts and reconciliations.
• Support preparation of monthly/quarterly/annual reports.
• Participate in monthly reporting to HFM and data forms.
• Engage with Finance leadership to discuss results and trends.
• Drive process improvements in ERP and finance systems.
• Maintain SOX control documentation and assist with audits.

Skills

General ledger

Excel

Analytical skills

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Epicor ERP

Avalara

HFM

Power BI

Job description

We’re Watts. Together, we’re reimagining the future of water. We feel proud every day about what we do. We're all part of the same crucial mission, no matter what function we support -- it's to provide safe, clean water for the world, and to protect our planet's most valuable resource.

What we do: For 150 years, Watts has built best-in‑class products that are trusted by customers in residential and commercial settings across the world. We are at the forefront of innovation, working with cutting‑edge technology to provide smart and connected, sustainable water solutions for the future. Watts is a leading brand with a quality reputation — and we have a dynamic future ahead.

Scope of Position

Watts Water Technologies is seeking an experienced and highly motivated accounting leader to join its Americas accounting team in the role of Controller. This role will be responsible for leading key accounting operations, including monthly close, financial reporting support, billing and collections oversight, balance sheet integrity, internal controls, audit support, and process improvement initiatives. The Controller will partner closely with Finance leadership, Shared Services, Operations, Sales, and other cross‑functional teams to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. This role will also help drive scalable improvements across accounting processes, systems, and controls while providing guidance and oversight to members of the accounting team. This role reports to the Senior Manager, Finance and Strategy and will have one direct report.

Primary Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and year‑end close process, including management of close timelines, review of journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, billing activity, collections reporting, and other accounting deliverables to ensure accuracy and compliance with company policies.
• Oversee customer billing, collections, DSO performance, and AR aging to ensure timely invoicing, cash collection, and resolution of outstanding receivables.
• Own daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly batch posting and approval processes, ensuring transactions are posted accurately and timely.
• Maintain ownership of assigned balance sheet accounts and ensure related reconciliations, reserves, and accounting judgments are properly documented and supported.
• Support preparation and review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and related internal and external reporting requirements.
• Participate in monthly reporting to HFM, including trial balance loads, supplemental data forms, and review of reporting accuracy.
• Meet with team members and Finance leadership to review accounting results, balance sheet analytics, operating expense trends, and key financial reporting matters.
• Track performance against budget and forecast and explain significant variances, risks, and opportunities.
• Lead accounting process improvements and system enhancements within Epicor ERP, Avalara, HFM, Microsoft Office tools, and related finance systems.
• Identify automation and efficiency opportunities and drive initiatives through completion to improve close efficiency, reporting quality, billing accuracy, and collections visibility.
• Own and maintain SOX control documentation related to internal controls over financial reporting and support annual SOX testing requirements.
• Monitor key internal controls, identify control gaps, and support remediation plans as needed.
• Lead preparation and review of audit and tax schedules, including coordination of support for internal and external audit requests.
• Responsible for monthly sales tax review and payments in Avalara.
• Assist with the preparation, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of accounting policies and procedures.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to accounting team members to promote accuracy, accountability, professional development, and timely completion of responsibilities.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Finance, Operations, Sales, Customer Service, and Shared Services teams to resolve accounting issues and improve end‑to‑end processes.
• Support adhoc accounting, reporting, analysis, compliance, and transformation projects as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• 2+ years of supervisory, team lead, close ownership, or accounting process leadership experience.
• Strong general ledger accounting experience, including month‑end close, account reconciliations, accruals, financial statement support, and balance sheet analysis.
• Experience with manufacturing, SaaS sales, public corporations, or multi‑entity accounting environments.
• ERP system experience required; Epicor ERP experience preferred.
• Experience with internal controls, SOX compliance, audit support, and accounting policy adherence.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Excellent system and computer skills, with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
• Advanced Excel skills, including the ability to manipulate, analyze, and summarize large data sets.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills with the ability to identify trends, risks, and process improvement opportunities.
• Superior organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet critical deadlines, and lead work across recurring close and reporting cycles.
• Self‑motivated problem solver with strong attention to detail and the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to partner effectively with accounting, finance, operations, and business leaders.
• Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal skills are essential.
• Must be flexible and able to accurately work under time constraints and deadlines.
• Travel up to 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or CPA candidate preferred.
• Public company accounting experience preferred.
• Prior experience supporting SOX controls in a public company environment preferred.
• Experience with Epicor ERP, Avalara, HFM, Power BI, or similar reporting and finance systems preferred.
• Experience leading process improvement, automation, ERP enhancement, or finance transformation initiatives preferred.
• Prior people management or direct supervisory experience preferred.
• Experience in manufacturing, recurring revenue, SaaS, or connected products business models preferred.

General Applicable Company Competencies

• Commitment to Watts' values of integrity, accountability, continuous improvement and innovation, and transparency.
• Punctuality and dependability.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing work priorities and stressful conditions.
• Adherence to all personnel policies, procedures, and standards of process as implemented by Watts.
• Maintain productive and collaborative relationships with other Watts employees.
• Adherence to Watts' seven cultural beliefs: Growth Mindset, Customer‑Focused Innovation, Constant Communication, Clear Goals, Collaborate Globally, Be Inclusive, and Take Action.

Working Conditions

While performing the job duties, you will be working in an office environment. You will be required to work in the office at the Escondido, CA location three days per week, Monday through Wednesday, and can work remotely two days per week, Thursday and Friday.

Physical Requirements

Ability to remain seated at a desk or workstation for extended periods. Ability to perform repetitive tasks like typing on a keyboard or using a mouse for extended periods. Ability to physically move around the office, organize or transport files, packages, or other office‑related materials. Ability to read documents, use a computer, and perform data entry tasks. Ability to communicate clearly with management and coworkers, particularly in meetings or phone calls. Ability to operate standard office equipment such as computers, printers, phones, and copiers. Ability to occasionally lift and carry light objects, such as office supplies, documents, or small equipment.

Pay Range

The expected salary range for this position is $133,000-$157,000 yearly. Actual compensation will be dependent upon individual skills, experience, qualifications, and applicable law. Nothing in this job description restricts Watts' right to assign or reassign duties, responsibilities, and working hours or conditions to this position at any time. This position is at will, which means that either the employee or Watts may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without notice, and for any lawful reason.

Watts in it for you

• Competitive compensation based on your skills, qualifications and experience
• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits
• Family building benefits, including paid maternity/paternity leave
• 10 paid holidays
• Paid Time Off
• Continued professional development opportunities and educational reimbursement
• Additional perks such as fitness reimbursements and employee discount programs

Learn more about our benefit offerings here: https://tapintowattsbenefits.com/

How we work

At Watts, our culture is team‑oriented and supportive. Employees here genuinely care about the quality of their work, and about each other. Our people are the heart of who we are and contribute to our longevity and continued success. And this is a place where you can have a big career. No matter your role, there are opportunities for learning and development, and your daily contributions make a meaningful impact on the lives of people who use our products and on the future of water.

Watts is committed to equal employment opportunity. We follow a policy of administering all employment decisions and personnel actions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, genetic disposition or carrier status, marital status, military or veteran status, minorities, or any other category protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Consistent with the obligations of state and federal law, Watts will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. Any employee who needs a reasonable accommodation should contact Human Resources.

Watts Water is a global leader of quality water solutions for residential, industrial, municipal, and commercial settings. Our family of brands offers some of the most varied product lines in the world, with world‑class, water‑related solutions focused on: Drainage and Water Reuse HVAC and Hot Water Plumbing and Flow Control Water Quality and Rainwater Harvesting. We are a $1.9 billion global company, listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) with a presence in five (5) continents and twenty‑four (24) countries, and an employee population that speaks over eighteen (18) languages. As a people‑first company, we prize enriching and caring for all who work here not only through words but through actions. This includes executing our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategy, and providing our employees with meaningful career growth opportunities, a positive and safe work environment, and affirmation that they are heard, valued, and respected. We are proud to be an organization that believes that a safer world is a more sustainable world – a belief that we proudly reflect in each of our technologies and solutions and our environmental and social commitments, such as our partnership with Planet Water Foundation. Learn more about the Watts way, here.