Controller

LAKEWOOD ACQUISITION LLC; Lakewood (WA); On-site; USD 125,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Paid time off

Holidays

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Job summary

LAKEWOOD ACQUISITION LLC in Lakewood, WA seeks a Controller to own accounting operations for a growing multi-location manufacturing business. This build role requires leading teams across states, cleaning up processes, establishing controls, and guiding financial reporting through acquisitions.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years in accounting with 3+ years as Controller, manufacturing costing experience, and a track record of implementing AI-enabled automation in workflows.

Qualifications

• Manufacturing cost accounting experience within the past 5 years.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience with 3+ years as Controller or Assistant Controller.
• Experience managing staff across multiple locations, including remote or out-of-state.
• Experience building/rebuilding accounting function in a startup or cleanup scenario.
• Finance experience with at least one acquisition (purchase accounting, opening balance sheet).
• Measurable results reducing manual work and shortening the close.
• Practical use of AI or automation in accounting workflows.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Build and clean up the accounting function across locations.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close with reconciliations and reporting.
• Own manufacturing cost accounting, including standard/actual costing and variance analysis.
• Manage a distributed team across locations and travel as needed.
• Support acquisitions and integrations, including purchase accounting and opening balances.
• Improve efficiency through automation and AI-assisted workflows.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and rolling cash flow; present to leadership.
• Maintain GAAP compliance and relationships with auditors and lenders.

Skills

Manufacturing costing

Leadership across locations

Automation in accounting

GAAP & audits

Cost variance analysis

Acquisition integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

SAP Business One

QuickBooks

Job description

Description

About the Role

The Controller owns accounting operations for a growing, multi-location manufacturing business and reports to the VP of Finance. This is a build role. Some processes, systems, and controls exist and need to be cleaned up; others do not exist yet and need to be created. The person in this seat has done this before in a manufacturing environment, has led accounting teams spread across locations and states, and has worked through an acquisition from the finance side.

Responsibilities

Build and clean up the accounting function

• Assess current processes, controls, and reporting, and set priorities for what to fix first
• Establish accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls where none exist and tighten them where they do
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including reconciliations, accruals, and financial statements, and shorten the close calendar over time

Own manufacturing cost accounting

• Maintain standard and actual costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis across production lines
• Review inventory counts, reserves, and adjustments, and work with operations to resolve discrepancies at the source
• Partner with plant and operations leaders to explain cost drivers and act on variances

Lead a distributed team

• Manage, train, and develop accounting staff across locations, including remote and out-of-state team members
• Set clear standards and accountability for a team that does not sit in one building

Support acquisitions and growth

• Lead finance work on acquisitions and integrations, including purchase accounting, opening balance sheets, and bringing new entities onto company systems and close processes
• Support system changes and conversions in SAP Business One and QuickBooks

Improve efficiency

• Identify and implement automation and AI-assisted workflows to reduce manual entry, reconciliation time, and reporting turnaround
• Improve data accuracy and reporting in SAP B1 and related tools

Plan and report

• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and management reporting at the company, department, and location level
• Maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast
• Present results, risks, and trends to executive and operational leaders in plain terms
• Manage relationships with auditors, tax advisors, lenders, and insurance providers, and ensure GAAP, tax, audit, and lender compliance

Requirements

Qualified Candidates Will Have

• Manufacturing cost accounting experience within the past 5 years (standard costing, inventory valuation, variances, overhead allocation)
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years as a Controller or Assistant Controller
• Experience managing accounting staff across locations, including remote or out-of-state team members
• Experience building or rebuilding an accounting function in a startup, new entity, or cleanup situation
• Finance-side experience with at least one acquisition (purchase accounting, opening balance sheet, integration)
• Measurable results reducing manual work and shortening the close
• Practical use of AI or automation in accounting workflows
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Ideal Candidates Will Also Have

• CPA, CMA, or MBA
• SAP Business One experience
• QuickBooks experience
• Experience in aerospace, defense, firearms, or other regulated manufacturing

Eligibility Requirements

• This position requires access to information subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Applicants must be a U.S. person as defined by 22 C.F.R. § 120.62, which includes U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and individuals granted asylum or refugee status.
• Because this position may involve access to firearms, ammunition, or controlled areas of a licensed firearms manufacturing facility, candidates must not be prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law (18 U.S.C. § 922(g)) or Washington state law.
• Will work onsite in Lakewood, WA, with occasional travel to other company locations as needed.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary: $125,000 to $140,000 annually
• Annual bonus: target of 25% of base salary
• Maximum total target compensation: $175,000
• 401(k) with 6% company match
• 3 weeks of paid time off
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage (80% employer paid for employee and dependents)