Controller

Lake Lumber Co; Panora (IA); On-site; USD 105,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus based on performance

Competitive salary

Dental insurance

Donation matching

Employee discounts

Paid time off

Training & development

Vision insurance

Job summary

Lake Lumber Co. in Panora, IA, is seeking an experienced Controller to own the accounting and financial functions for our growing, family-owned business.

This hands-on role maintains accurate records, oversees day-to-day activities, strengthens internal controls, and provides timely financial information to support sound business decisions. You will work directly with ownership and stay actively involved in the details of the financial picture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience preferred.
• Strong GAAP knowledge and financial reporting experience.
• Experience with general ledger, month-end close, cash flow, payroll, sales tax, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting and financial functions.
• Maintain general ledger and ensure timely recording of transactions.
• Lead month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare and review monthly statements: income, balance sheet, cash flow.
• Assist ownership with financial analysis to support decisions.
• Manage payroll accounting and payroll reconciliations.
• Manage sales tax reporting and remittance.
• Coordinate with outside professionals on tax, insurance, payroll, and other matters.
• Review processes and identify opportunities to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Skills

Excel proficiency

ERP/POS experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business

CPA or CMA designation (plus)

Tools

Spruce

Job description

Benefits:

• Bonus based on performance
• Competitive salary
• Dental insurance
• Donation matching
• Employee discounts
• Paid time off
• Training & development
• Vision insurance

Lake Lumber Co. is seeking an experienced, detail-oriented Controller to take ownership of the accounting and financial functions of our growing family-owned business.

This is a hands-on position responsible for maintaining accurate financial records, overseeing day-to-day accounting activities, strengthening financial processes and internal controls, and providing ownership with timely, meaningful financial information to support sound business decisions.

The Controller will work directly with ownership and serve as a trusted financial resource within the company. This position does not currently have direct reports, making it well suited for someone who enjoys both managing the overall financial picture and remaining actively involved in the day-to-day accounting details.

The ideal candidate will combine strong accounting knowledge with practical business judgment, attention to detail, accountability, confidentiality, and the ability to identify opportunities for improvement as Lake Lumber continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Oversee and perform the company's day-to-day accounting and financial functions.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure financial transactions are recorded accurately and timely.
• Lead month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reporting.
• Assist ownership with financial analysis to support operational and strategic business decisions.
• Manage payroll accounting, payroll reconciliations, and related financial reporting.
• Manage sales tax reporting and remittance requirements.
• Coordinate with outside professionals regarding tax, insurance, payroll, and other financial matters as appropriate
• Review existing financial processes and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, accountability, and reporting.

Accounts Receivable & Credit

• Oversee accounts receivable and customer account activity.
• Monitor aging reports, past-due accounts, and overall receivable trends.
• Work with ownership to establish and maintain appropriate customer credit limits and terms.

Accounts Payable & Cash Management

• Manage accounts payable processes and ensure vendor invoices and payments are accurate and properly authorized.
• Monitor company cash position and provide cash flow reporting and projections to ownership.
• Complete and review bank, credit card, and general ledger account reconciliations.
• Maintain appropriate approval processes and financial controls related to company expenditures.

Inventory & Spruce

• Work within Spruce, Lake Lumber's point-of-sale and business management system, to ensure accounting information is accurate and appropriately integrated with company operations.
• Monitor the financial accuracy of inventory transactions, adjustments, receiving, purchasing, and cost information.
• Coordinate inventory reconciliations and assist with physical inventory processes.

Payroll, Taxes & Compliance

• Manage payroll accounting, payroll reconciliations, and related financial reporting.
• Manage sales tax reporting and remittance requirements.
• Coordinate with outside professionals regarding tax, insurance, payroll, and other financial matters as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience preferred.
• Previous experience as a Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accountant, or in a comparable accounting position strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of generally accepted accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Demonstrated experience with general ledger accounting, month-end and year-end close, financial statement preparation, accounts payable and receivable, reconciliations, cash flow management, budgeting and forecasting, payroll accounting, sales tax reporting, and internal controls.
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and experience working with accounting, ERP, or point-of-sale systems.
• Experience with inventory-based businesses strongly preferred.
• Experience within building materials, construction, retail, distribution, or a similar industry is a plus.
• Experience with Spruce or a comparable lumber/building materials management system is a plus.
• CPA or CMA designation is a plus but not required.

What We’re Looking For

• Highly accurate, organized, and detail-oriented.
• Takes ownership and follows through.
• Able to work independently while maintaining open communication with ownership.
• Understands both the accounting details and the larger financial picture of the business.
• Comfortable identifying discrepancies, asking questions, and respectfully raising concerns.
• Able to explain financial information clearly and practically.
• Values relationships, teamwork, accountability, integrity, and doing things the right way.

Compensation, Schedule & Benefits

Position & Schedule

• Full-time, on-site position in Panora, Iowa
• Monday-Friday
• Schedule: 7:00am - 4:00pm or 8:30am - 5:30pm

Compensation

• Salary: $105K-$130K annually
• Annual performance review
• Company performance bonus

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa
• Dental Insurance: Delta Dental
• Vision Insurance: EyeMed
• Retirement: Edward Jones SIMPLE IRA with up to a 3% company match
• Paid Time Off: 15 days annually
• Paid Holidays: New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Friday after Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day
• Employee discount

Located just 35 miles west of Waukee and Grimes, Panora offers the opportunity to build your career while enjoying the benefits of a smaller, close-knit community. With a strong school system, Lake Panorama—Iowa’s largest private lake—and an active community, the area offers an exceptional quality of life while remaining close to the Des Moines metro. As a longtime Panora business, Lake Lumber is proud to be part of this community and offers the opportunity to build your career with a growing company while becoming part of a place where relationships and community truly matter.