Controller

Wine Industry Expo; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 165,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Wine Industry Expo, based in Napa Valley in St Helena, California, seeks a Controller to lead the accounting function across multiple entities. This hands-on leadership role partners with FP&A, operations, winemaking, and sales to ensure accurate financial records and timely close.

You will manage intercompany transactions, inventory costing for wine production, lender reporting, tax compliance, and external audits while building a high-performing team and implementing robust internal controls

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• GAAP knowledge and multi-entity consolidation experience.
• Inventory and cost accounting in manufacturing/agricultural environment.
• Experience with lender reporting and covenant compliance.
• Advanced Excel and ERP system proficiency; hands-on leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly, quarterly, and year-end close with consolidation.
• Oversee wine inventory costing and COGS reconciliation.
• Manage intercompany accounting and related-party transactions.
• Coordinate lender reporting, cash flow, and treasury activities.
• Oversee tax filings and regulatory compliance.
• Develop accounting team and implement internal controls and end-to-end processes.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Regulatory knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA license (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Excel

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Controller leads the accounting function and owns the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of the company's financial records across all legal entities. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller directs the monthly close and consolidation, oversees wine inventory and cost accounting, manages lender and regulatory reporting, and serves as the primary liaison to outside auditors and tax advisors. This is a hands‑on leadership role for a technically strong accountant who can build processes, develop a team, and partner closely with FP&A, operations, winemaking, and sales.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Close, Consolidation & Financial Reporting

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close across multiple legal entities, delivering accurate consolidated and entity-level financial statements on a defined calendar.
• Manage intercompany accounting, eliminations, allocations, and related‑party transactions, including documentation that supports each entity's books.
• Prepare management reporting packages, account reconciliations, and variance analysis in partnership with the VP of FP&A.
• Maintain GAAP‑compliant accounting policies and memos, including treatment of leases, fixed assets, and agricultural assets.

Wine Inventory & Cost Accounting

• Own vintage‑level cost accumulation from vineyard farming costs through bulk wine, bottling, and finished case goods.
• Oversee capitalization of farming and production costs, inventory valuation, lower‑of‑cost‑or‑NRV analysis, and COGS relief.
• Coordinate physical inventory counts and reconcile production system records (bulk and case goods) to the general ledger.

Lender, Treasury & Cash Management

• Prepare monthly and quarterly lender compliance packages, covenant calculations, borrowing base support, and supporting schedules.
• Oversee cash management, bank reconciliations, cash forecasting inputs, and banking relationships and authorities.
• Support debt administration, including draws, interest calculations, and compliance certificates.

Tax, Regulatory & Compliance

• Oversee federal excise tax filings and TTB reporting, California sales and use tax (CDTFA), and multi‑state DTC shipping compliance and tax remittance.
• Coordinate with outside tax advisors on income tax provisions, partnership/LLC returns, property tax, and entity‑level filings.
• Ensure accurate 1099, payroll tax, and other information reporting in coordination with the payroll provider.

Audit, Controls & Systems

• Serve as primary contact for external audits and reviews; prepare schedules and manage timelines and requests.
• Design, document, and maintain internal controls, approval workflows, and segregation of duties appropriate to a growing multi‑entity organization.
• Act as finance owner of the ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central), driving process improvement, automation, and data integrity across integrated sales, DTC, and production systems.

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team, setting clear priorities, review standards, and cross‑training plans.
• Partner with operations, winemaking, vineyard, hospitality, and sales leaders to provide timely financial insight and support sound decision‑making.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or accounting manager role.
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP and hands‑on experience with multi‑entity consolidation and intercompany accounting.
• Demonstrated experience with inventory and cost accounting in a manufacturing, agricultural, or consumer products environment.
• Experience preparing lender reporting and covenant compliance calculations.
• Advanced Excel skills and comfort working within a mid‑market ERP.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a team while remaining hands‑on.

Preferred

• CPA license (active or inactive).
• Wine industry experience, particularly with vintage costing, TTB excise reporting, and DTC compliance tools such as ShipCompliant.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, including implementation or optimization.
• Public accounting background (audit) combined with industry experience.
• Familiarity with agricultural accounting, real estate holdings, and lease accounting (ASC 842).

KEY ATTRIBUTES

• Precision. High standards for accuracy, documentation, and follow‑through.
• Discretion. Handles sensitive financial, ownership, and lender information with complete confidentiality.
• Process mindset. Builds scalable processes rather than relying on workarounds.
• Business partnership. Communicates clearly with non‑finance colleagues and senior leadership.
• Composure. Thrives in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities and firm deadlines.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

The base salary range for this position is $165,000 to $185,000 annually. Placement within the range will depend on experience, qualifications, and skills. This role is also eligible for annual discretionary performance bonus, along with a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage; 401(k) with company match; and paid time off.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based on‑site at the company's Napa Valley offices in St Helena, with occasional travel to estate, vineyard, and production facilities. Additional hours may be required during close, audit, and harvest periods. The role involves primarily office‑based work with extended computer use.