Controller

Vaco by Highspring; Morgan Hill (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco by Highspring is seeking a Controller to lead its accounting, financial planning and analysis, and cost accounting functions in a South Bay Area manufacturing setting.

The role oversees budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, inventory accounting, and process improvements, partnering with Operations to drive performance and strategic decisions. The ideal candidate brings 8+ years in manufacturing finance, strong GAAP expertise, and proven leadership of finance teams.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience with leadership in manufacturing finance.
• Strong cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, and margin improvements.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, internal controls.
• Experience with ERP systems and cross-functional business partnering.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and financial close processes.
• Oversee cost accounting activities, including inventory valuation, standard costing, variance analysis, and margin improvement initiatives.
• Direct budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, cash flow planning, and management reporting processes.
• Prepare and oversee financial statements, audit activities, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and financial processes to support operational efficiency and compliance.
• Partner with Operations and business leaders to provide financial insights, performance analysis, and recommendations that support strategic decisions.
• Lead accounting system enhancements, process improvement initiatives, and financial reporting automation efforts.
• Mentor and develop accounting and finance team members while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Skills

Cost accounting

GAAP

ERP systems

Budgeting & forecasting

Manufacturing finance

Financial reporting

Process improvement

Internal controls

Cross-functional partnering

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA or MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Controller Our client, a manufacturing company, is seeking a Controller to lead its accounting, financial planning and analysis, and cost accounting functions.

Controller Our client, a manufacturing company, is seeking a Controller to lead its accounting, financial planning and analysis, and cost accounting functions.

Location

This is a full-time, onsite role located in the South Bay Area, CA.

Job Description

This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for financial reporting, operational finance, budgeting, forecasting, inventory accounting, and process improvement. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with hands‑on manufacturing finance experience and a proven ability to partner with operational leaders to drive business performance and strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and financial close processes.
• Oversee cost accounting activities, including inventory valuation, standard costing, variance analysis, and margin improvement initiatives.
• Direct budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, cash flow planning, and management reporting processes.
• Prepare and oversee financial statements, audit activities, and compliance with applicable accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Develop and maintain internal controls, accounting policies, and financial processes to support operational efficiency and compliance.
• Partner with Operations and business leaders to provide financial insights, performance analysis, and recommendations that support strategic decisions.
• Lead accounting system enhancements, process improvement initiatives, and financial reporting automation efforts.
• Mentor and develop accounting and finance team members while fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA and/or MBA preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership experience within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong experience with cost accounting, inventory accounting, standard costing, and manufacturing finance.
• Deep knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
• Experience with ERP systems, financial process improvements, and cross-functional business partnering.

Compensation

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors, including but not limited to:

• The individual's skill sets, experience, and training;
• Licensure and certifications;
• Office location and other geographic considerations;
• Other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco by Highspring notes that the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact [e-mail]

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations; and
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).