Controller

New Roots Talent Consulting, LLC; Morton Grove (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

New Roots Talent Consulting, LLC is partnering with a growing manufacturing start-up in the northern suburbs of Chicago to hire an experienced Controller. This hands-on role leads the accounting function, drives month-end close, and partners with leadership on cash flow and margin analysis.

The successful candidate will have strong GAAP expertise, manufacturing costing exposure, and the ability to build scalable financial processes in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience in manufacturing or product-based environments.
• Strong GAAP knowledge, month-end close, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience with cost accounting, inventory, standard costing, and margin analysis.

Responsibilities

• Own the accounting function, including month-end close, financial reporting, reconciliations, AP/AR, payroll, and day-to-day accounting operations.
• Build and improve scalable processes, controls, reporting tools, and financial infrastructure to support growth.
• Lead the optimization of SAP Business One.
• Partner with leadership and operations on cash flow planning, margin analysis, inventory, and cost visibility.
• Support internal cost accounting, ERP/reporting improvements, and relationships with advisory partners.
• Translate financial data into clear insights and recommendations for business decisions.
• Report to the VP of Finance, collaborating as a team to identify discrepancies and provide efficiencies.

Skills

GAAP

Month-end close

Financial reporting

Internal controls

Cost accounting

Inventory

Margin analysis

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA or MBA preferred

Tools

SAP Business One

Job description

We’re partnering with a growing manufacturing start-up in the northern suburbs of Chicago that is looking to add an experienced Controller to its team. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys a hands‑on, high‑impact role and is excited by the pace, visibility, and ownership that come with a start-up environment.

In this role, you’ll help build and strengthen the company’s accounting and finance function as the business continues to scale. The right person will bring a strong technical accounting foundation, an understanding of manufacturing operations, and the ability to create structure while staying flexible in a fast-moving environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Own the accounting function, including month-end close, financial reporting, reconciliations, AP/AR, payroll, and overall day-to-day accounting operations.
• Build and improve scalable processes, controls, reporting tools, and financial infrastructure to support continued growth.
• Lead the optimization of SAP Business One
• Partner closely with leadership and operations on cash flow planning, margin analysis, inventory, and providing some cost visibility.
• Support internal cost accounting, ERP/reporting improvements, and any outside relationships and advisory partners as needed.
• Translate financial data into clear insights and recommendations that help guide business decisions.
• Report to the VP of Finance working in collaboration as a team identifying any discrepancies and providing process efficiencies and solutions.

What We’re Looking For:

• 7+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, ideally within manufacturing, distribution, or another product-based environment.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, month-end close, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Exposure to cost accounting, inventory, standard costing, margin analysis, or manufacturing-related reporting preferred.
• Comfortable working in a start-up or high-growth environment where processes are evolving and priorities can shift quickly.
• Hands‑on, adaptable, and analytical, with the ability to work cross‑functionally and communicate effectively with leadership and operations.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA or MBA preferred but not required.

Why This Role:

This is an opportunity to step into a visible finance leadership role at an exciting stage of growth. The Controller will have the chance to make an immediate impact, build processes from the ground up, partner closely with leadership, and help shape the financial foundation of a scaling manufacturing business.