Controller

Big Valley Market and Fuel; Lakeport (CA); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

The Controller at Big Valley Commercial Center will direct the accounting and financial operations, ensuring accuracy of records and timely reports to support operational decisions. You will oversee general ledger activity, month-end close, budgeting, cash-flow management, and internal controls across Market & Fuel and other operations.

Ideal candidates have 7+ years in accounting management, strong ledger and reporting skills, and supervisory experience in a multi-location retail or hospitality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience with general ledger accounting, reconciliations, financial reporting, and month-end close.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Retail, convenience store, fuel, restaurant, hospitality, or multi-location commercial experience preferred.
• Experience with POS and accounting-system integration preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Manage the day-to-day accounting operations of the Commercial Center.
• Oversee the general ledger and ensure transactions are accurately recorded.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and appropriate department and cost-center coding.
• Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations.
• Review journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accounting records are maintained accurately and timely.
• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reports for the General Manager.
• Provide budget-to-actual reporting and explanations of significant variances.
• Monitor revenue, cost of goods sold, gross margin, operating expenses, and cash flow.
• Prepare financial forecasts and cash-flow projections.
• Provide financial analysis to assist the General Manager with operational decisions.
• Assist with annual budgeting and periodic budget revisions.
• Provide financial information for management meetings and strategic planning.

Job description

Accepting Applications Until: 9/30/2026 5:00PM PT

Position Title: Controller
Location: BVR Commercial Center
Classification: Full-Time, exempt
Salary: $105,000 to $125,000
Reports To:General Manager
Oversight: Tribal Administrator

Position Summary:

The Controller is responsible for managing the accounting and financial operations of the Big Valley Commercial Center. The Controller ensures the accuracy and integrity of financial records and provides the General Manager with timely financial information necessary to manage the Commercial Center’s operations and financial performance.
The Controller oversees general ledger activity, financial reporting, month-end close, account reconciliations, budgeting, cash-flow management, accounts payable oversight, vendor controls, internal controls, and financial compliance.
The Controller serves as the primary accounting and financial resource for the General Manager and works closely with the Market & Fuel, Starbucks, Car Wash, and other Commercial Center operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Manage the day-to-day accounting operations of the Commercial Center.
• Oversee the general ledger and ensure transactions are accurately recorded.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and appropriate department and cost-center coding.
• Direct the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process.
• Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations.
• Review journal entries and supporting documentation.
• Ensure accounting records are maintained accurately and timely.
• Identify and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reports for the General Manager.
• Provide budget-to-actual reporting and explanations of significant variances.
• Monitor revenue, cost of goods sold, gross margin, operating expenses, and cash flow.
• Prepare financial forecasts and cash-flow projections.
• Provide financial analysis to assist the General Manager with operational decisions.
• Assist with annual budgeting and periodic budget revisions.
• Provide financial information for management meetings and strategic planning.

Accounts Payable Oversight

• Supervise and review the work of the Accounts Payable Specialist.
• Establish AP processing deadlines and ensure invoices are processed timely.
• Ensure invoices are properly supported by purchase orders, receiving documentation, and required approvals.
• Review AP aging and outstanding vendor balances.
• Approve payment batches within established authority.
• Ensure vendor banking changes receive appropriate verification and authorization.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties between invoice entry, approval, and payment release.

The existing enterprise model assigns the Controller responsibility for approving invoices and payment runs while the AP position performs invoice processing and prepares payment batches.

Cash & Reconciliations

• Oversee bank, credit card, POS, and other financial reconciliations.
• Review daily deposit activity and investigate discrepancies.
• Monitor cash balances and short-term cash requirements.
• Oversee petty cash and cash-control procedures.
• Conduct or coordinate periodic cash counts.
• Reconcile payroll activity to the general ledger.
• Ensure discrepancies are documented and resolved.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain effective accounting and financial internal controls.
• Monitor compliance with Commercial Center purchasing and payment procedures.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties.
• Identify control weaknesses and recommend corrective action.
• Monitor compliance with established approval limits.
• Assist with audits and provide required financial documentation.
• Coordinate with Tribal Fiscal, external accountants, auditors, and other financial service providers.
• Report suspected fraud, unauthorized expenditures, or significant control failures to the General Manager and appropriate Tribal officials.
• Oversee vendor setup and vendor-account controls.
• Review significant vendor expenditures and contracts as required.
• Ensure purchasing transactions are properly authorized and documented.
• Monitor outstanding purchase orders and financial commitments.
• Review capital expenditure requests before submission for higher-level approval.
• Work with operational managers to resolve purchasing and accounting issues.

Management Support

• Serve as the General Manager’s primary accounting and financial advisor.
• Work with Commercial Center managers to improve financial accountability.
• Train managers on purchasing, documentation, budgeting, and financial procedures.
• Establish financial reporting deadlines and accountability standards.
• Provide recommendations regarding cost control, cash management, profitability, and operational efficiency.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field preferred.
• Five or more years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience with general ledger accounting, reconciliations, financial reporting, and month-end close.
• Supervisory experience preferred.
• Retail, convenience store, fuel, restaurant, hospitality, or multi-location commercial experience preferred.
• Experience with POS and accounting-system integration preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and internal controls.

Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible accounting and financial management experience, with at least 3 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or comparable senior-level accounting position.
• Demonstrated experience managing the accounting and financial operations of a multi-million-dollar business, preferably $20 million or greater in annual revenue.
• Experience in retail, commercial operations, hospitality, gaming, or other high-volume, multi-location environments strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, inventory accounting, and cost-of-goods analysis.
• Experience establishing and maintaining internal financial controls, purchasing controls, cash controls, segregation of duties, and financial policies and procedures.
• Experience preparing and analyzing monthly financial statements, financial forecasts, variance reports, and management reports for senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience managing or supervising accounting staff and establishing performance expectations, work processes, and internal controls.
• Experience working with external auditors, financial institutions, tax professionals, and other financial advisors.
• Experience with accounting/ERP systems and financial reporting systems; experience implementing or improving financial systems and processes preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to identify financial risks, investigate discrepancies, improve accounting processes, and provide meaningful financial analysis to management.
• Experience working in an organization with multiple departments, business units, revenue streams, or funding sources preferred.
• Tribal government, tribal enterprise, casino, or other governmental accounting experience is preferred but not required.

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally lift up to 40 pounds.
• Walk and stand for extended periods.
• Work evenings, weekends, and holidays as business needs require.
• Travel for training, conferences, and vendor meetings.

Performance Expectations

The Controller will be evaluated on measurable outcomes, including:

• Accuracy and timeliness of financial statements.
• Timely completion of month-end close.
• Accurate account reconciliations.
• Effective oversight of accounts payable.
• Compliance with purchasing and payment controls.
• Accurate budget-to-actual reporting.
• Timely identification and resolution of financial discrepancies.
• Quality and reliability of financial information provided to the General Manager.
• Effective management of accounting staff and financial processes.

Additional Requirements:

• Must be eligible for coverage under the Tribe’s vehicle insurance policy.
• Preference in hiring is given to qualified American Indians in accordance with the Indian Preference Act (Title 25 U.S. Code, § 472 and 473). Applicants claiming Indian preference must submit verification by Tribe of affiliation or other acceptable documentation of Tribal Enrollment.
• Able to pass a BVR drug test.
• Must be able to satisfactorily complete a background check and a pre-employment screening.