Controller

Link Engineering Company; Plymouth (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Link Engineering Company in Plymouth, MI, is seeking a skilled Controller to lead accounting, financial management, reporting, and planning for manufacturing and testing operations. The role partners with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Executives to drive profitability and strong internal controls.

The Controller will oversee cost accounting, capital investments, inventory management, and financial reporting, while mentoring finance personnel and supporting strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years in progressive finance/accounting roles.
• Minimum 3 years in manufacturing/testing environments or public accounting.
• Experience with international operations/subsidiaries preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and monthly/quarterly/annual closes.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Develop profitability analyses by product line, customer, and facility.
• Maintain internal controls and oversee audits with external auditors.
• Mentor and develop accounting/finance staff and drive process improvements.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

IFRS experience

Cost accounting

Inventory management

Financial planning

ERP systems

Team leadership

Budgeting

Audits

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Admin

CPA / CMA / MBA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Microsoft Dynamics

Epicor

Plex

Job description

Link Engineering Company (LINK) is a premier designer and manufacturer of precision test equipment, we specialize in developing customized solutions for Automotive, Aviation, Off-Highway, Rail and Civil Engineering industries. We are headquartered in Plymouth, Michigan, and maintain testing laboratories, manufacturing, and support facilities around the globe.

Established in 1935, we have been a family-owned company for generations, we treat our customers and employees as if they are part of our family. We set our employees up for success, as they are given constant opportunities to learn and develop new skills. As many of our team members have been with LINK for a generation or more, the LINK team is equipped with a wealth of knowledge, providing decades of hands‑on experience and out-of-the box thinking to OEM’s and suppliers everywhere.

We are looking for a talentedControllerwho will be responsible for the accounting, financial management, reporting, planning, and control of manufacturing and testing service operations. This role partners closely with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Executive Leadership to provide financial insight, maintain strong internal controls, drive profitability, and support strategic decision-making. The Controller oversees accounting activities related to manufacturing operations, testing operations, service delivery, inventory management, cost accounting, capital investments, and financial reporting.

Main Responsibilities:

• Lead annual budgeting, periodic forecasting, monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Analyze operating results and explain variances from budget, forecast, and prior year performance.
• Maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, GAAP and company policies.
• Mentor, coach, manage, and lead accounting and finance personnel.
• Establish performance objectives and development plans for team members.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as primary interface with external auditors.
• Maintain standard costing systems and product/service costing methodologies.
• Analyze labor, material, overhead, and testing service costs.
• Monitor manufacturing variances and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Oversee inventory valuation, cycle count programs, and physical inventories.
• Develop profitability analyses by product line, customer, facility, and service offering.
• Partner with Plant Managers, Service Managers, and Engineering teams to improve operational efficiency and establish financial targets.
• Develop financial models supporting pricing, capital investments, and strategic initiatives.
• Monitor key operating metrics and drive accountability for performance.
• Evaluate financial impact of new products, testing capabilities, and service offerings and assist with business cases for capital expenditures and continuous improvement projects.
• Manage fixed asset accounting and capital project tracking.
• Support risk management and business continuity initiatives.
• Provide high level leadership and oversight of Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Cash Management, Fixed Assets, and Tax Filings.
• All other related duties as assigned.
• Possess mental faculties consistent with performing the minimum requirements of the job.
• Adhere and perform all duties aligned with the core values of the LINK Group organization, Can-Do Attitude, Courage, Commitment, Humility and Accountability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive finance/accounting experience.
• Minimum of 3 years in a manufacturing, testing environment, and/or public accounting required.
• Minimum of 3 years in international operations/subsidiaries preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong knowledge in US GAAP compliance and IFRS experience.
• Proven experience with cost accounting, inventory management, and financial planning.
• Proven experience supporting engineering, testing, repair, or service operations preferred.
• Good ERP system experience (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Epicor, Plex, etc.), with advanced skills in Excel modeling
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in leading and managing a team
• Proven ability to perform complex financial reporting and analysis
• Strong experience in cost accounting, inventory management, budgeting and forecasting
• Proven experience in establishing, Internal controls, audit management and continuous improvement
• Strong verbal and written communication and good interpersonal skills with the ability to build business partnerships through providing solutions and understanding the business.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail, accuracy, and quality.
• Ability to work with the highest ethical standards

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to speak verbally, and read in English
• Ability to walk.
• Ability to see with corrective lenses.
• Ability to hear.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to bend, stoop, crouch, reach, hand-eye coordination, and manual dexterity.
• Ability to use a computer.
• Able to work evenings and/or weekends as required.
• Able to travel up to 20% domestically.
• Normal hazards related to working in an office environment.
• Normal hazards related to working in a manufacturing and testing environment.
• Normal hazards related to road and air travel.

LINKis an Equal Employment Opportunity EmployerMinorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled. VEVRRA Federal Contractor.

LINKis an E-Verify employer. E-Verify is an internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in partnership with the Social Security Administration (SSA) that allows participating employees to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees in the United States.

Accessibility for Applicants with Disabilities:If you need a reasonable accommodation for the online application process due to a disability please call 1-734-453-0800. Please provide your contact information and details about the posted position of interest. Only inquiries regarding assistance for those who need accommodation with the online application process due to a disability will be returned.