Controller

CLA (CliftonLarsonAllen); Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Search is assisting a Milwaukee area company in finding a Controller to lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting. The role anchors debt financing coordination and ensures GAAP compliance while guiding cross‑functional teams.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor's in Finance or Accounting, 5–10 years in senior finance, CPA preferred, strong ERP and Excel skills, and proven ability to deliver accurate forecasts and actionable financial analyses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting is required; CPA preferred.
• 5–10 years of senior-level finance or accounting experience.
• Extensive knowledge of ERP software and financial systems.
• Strong MS Excel skills and ability to analyze data and communicate findings.

Responsibilities

• Direct and coordinate financial planning, budgeting, and reporting functions.
• Monitor monthly results against budget and provide variance analyses.
• Oversee debt financing and debt service payments with external agencies.
• Prepare annual revenue and expense reports and financial forecasts.
• Develop five‑ and ten‑year business plans with department managers.
• Lead audits and implement procedural improvements.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial Analysis

Leadership

GAAP knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

MS Excel

ERP software

Financial reporting systems

Job description

CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA) Search has been retained by one of our clients to assist them with the search of a Controller to join their team. The Controller will provide leadership and coordination of company financial planning, debt financing, and budget management functions. This position monitors job costing for the company and advises when targets are not hit and communicates discrepancies within data collection to company leadership.

What You’ll Do:

• Direct and coordinate company financial planning and budget management functions.
• Recommend benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance of departments.
• Monitor and analyze monthly operating results against budget.
• Direct and coordinate debt financing and debt service payments with external agencies.
• Manage the preparation of the annual report of actual revenues, transfers, and expenses.
• Manage the preparation of financial outlooks and financial forecasts.
• Prepare financial analysis for product investment decisions.
• Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal budgetary reporting requirements.
• Work with department managers to develop five-year and ten-year business plans for the company.
• Establish and implement short- and long-range goals, objectives, policies, and operating procedures.
• Direct financial audits and provide recommendations for procedural improvements.
• Monitors slow moving inventory and makes suggestions for dispositions.
• Helps to set cycle count initiatives.
• Manages team, sets goals, determines staffing requirements, trains/coaches/mentors.
• Able to calculate ROIs as needed.
• Accountable for updating Work Instructions relative to finance and accounting.
• Responsible for updating Work Center Labor and Burden rates.
• All other duties and responsibilities assigned.

What You’ll Need:

• Bachelors Degree in Finance or Accounting, five to ten years of experience in a senior-level finance or accounting position, CPA preferred
• Extensive knowledge of ERP software
• Proficient with MS Office, in particular Excel.
• Knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial regulations.
• Ability to analyze financial data and prepare financial reports, statements and projections.
• Work requires professional written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.