Controller

Wilkinson Supply Company; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Wilkinson Supply Company is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead the company’s financial operations from our Raleigh, NC location. You will oversee accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting while partnering with leadership to improve profitability and cash flow.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years of finance leadership, GAAP expertise, ERP and Excel proficiency, and a proven ability to connect financial results with operational decisions across purchasing, inventory, and distribution.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 5+ years of experience in finance leadership roles with strong accounting, P&L management, financial reporting and budgeting.
• Extensive experience with ERP systems and financial reporting software.
• CPA or CMA preferred but not required.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, cash management, and financial reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Manage monthly and year-end close processes.
• Maintain strong internal controls and integrity of financial information.
• Coordinate with outside CPA firms, auditors, banks, insurance providers and other financial partners.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial projections.
• Monitor actual results against budgets and identify variances.
• Develop KPIs and dashboards to inform leadership on performance.

Skills

Financial leadership

GAAP knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

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

CPA or CMA preferred but not required

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting software

Advanced Excel

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Controller

Office Raleigh, NC, US

The Controller is a key member of the leadership team responsible for the financial integrity and day-to-day financial operations of the company. This position requires a strong accounting background combined with a practical understanding of distribution, inventory, purchasing, supply chain, operations, and business processes.

The ideal candidate is not simply an accountant, but a hands‑on business operator who understands how financial decisions connect to purchasing, inventory, pricing, margins, sales, operations, and cash flow.

The Controller will oversee accounting and financial reporting while working closely with company leadership, branch operations, purchasing, sales, and other departments to improve profitability, accountability, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the company's day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and financial reporting.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Manage the monthly and year-end close processes.
• Maintain strong internal controls and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
• Oversee account reconciliations, accruals, journal entries, fixed assets, and other general accounting functions.
• Coordinate with outside CPA firms, auditors, banks, insurance providers, and other financial partners.
• Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, and company policies.
• Manage banking relationships, cash balances, borrowing needs, and lines of credit.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and financial projections.
• Monitor actual results against budgets and identify meaningful variances.
• Provide leadership with clear financial reporting and actionable business insights.
• Analyze gross margin, operating expenses, inventory investment, working capital, and profitability.
• Develop and maintain KPIs and dashboards that help leadership understand business performance.
• Identify financial trends, risks, and opportunities before they become larger issues.
• Support leadership in evaluating capital investments and other major business decisions.

Distribution, Inventory & Supply Chain

• Develop a strong understanding of the company's purchasing, receiving, inventory, sales, and distribution processes.
• Partner with purchasing and operations to manage inventory investment
• Monitor excess, obsolete, slow‑moving, and aging inventory.
• Help ensure inventory quantities and costs are accurately reflected in the financial statements.
• Oversee inventory controls, physical inventories, cycle counting, and inventory adjustments.
• Understand vendor pricing, purchasing programs, rebates, freight, discounts, payment terms, and other factors affecting product cost and gross margin.
• Analyze vendor programs and purchasing opportunities from both an operational and financial perspective.
• Help balance inventory availability and customer service with appropriate working‑capital management.

Operational Leadership

• Serve as a hands‑on, day‑to‑day business partner to the CEO, COO and leadership team.
• Understand how the business operates beyond the accounting department and actively participate in solving operational issues.
• Work collaboratively with branch managers and department leaders to improve processes, controls, accountability, and profitability.
• Regularly review operating results and help managers understand the financial impact of their decisions.
• Identify inefficiencies and recommend practical improvements.
• Establish scalable processes and procedures as the company grows.
• Help ensure company policies and procedures are consistently followed across locations.
• Participate in strategic planning while maintaining a strong focus on day‑to‑day execution.

Accounts Receivable & Credit

• Provide leadership and oversight for accounts receivable and customer credit.
• Monitor aging, collections, credit exposure, and past‑due accounts.
• Establish appropriate credit limits and controls.
• Partner with sales and branch leadership to resolve significant customer credit issues while balancing customer relationships with company risk.
• Monitor DSO and other working‑capital metrics.
• Oversee accounts payable processes and vendor payment practices.
• Ensure the company captures available discounts and takes advantage of appropriate vendor payment terms.
• Review vendor statements, rebates, incentives, and purchasing programs for accuracy.
• Partner with purchasing to evaluate vendor relationships from a total financial perspective.
• Lead, develop, and hold accountable the accounting and finance team.
• Establish clear responsibilities, processes, deadlines, and performance expectations.
• Develop team members and build appropriate depth and cross‑training within the department.
• Create a service‑oriented accounting function that supports branches and other departments while maintaining appropriate financial controls.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• A minimum of 5+ years of experience in finance leadership roles, with a strong background in accounting, P&L management, financial reporting, and budgeting
• Extensive experience working with ERP systems, financial reporting software
• CPA or CMA preferred but not required.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Significant accounting leadership experience, preferably in wholesale distribution, plumbing, HVAC, building materials, construction supply, or a similar inventory‑intensive business.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, purchasing, supply chain, gross margin, and working capital.
• Experience managing accounts receivable, accounts payable, credit, cash flow, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• Experience working in a multi‑location or branch‑based organization is strongly preferred.

Ideal Candidate:

• A strong accountant who can ensure the numbers are accurate and the financial controls are sound.
• An operator who wants to understand what is happening throughout the business, not just in the accounting department.
• Distribution‑minded with an understanding of inventory, purchasing, vendor programs, freight, rebates, margins, and working capital.
• Hands‑on and willing to get into the details when necessary.
• Analytical but practical, able to turn financial information into understandable recommendations.
• Proactive, identifying issues and opportunities rather than simply reporting what has already happened.
• Collaborative, comfortable working with salespeople, branch managers, purchasing, operations, and senior leadership.
• Process‑oriented, with the ability to create structure and improve systems without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Accountable and dependable, with a strong sense of ownership for both financial accuracy and business performance.

ADA Compliance

Wilkinson Supply Company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Employees who need accommodations to perform the essential functions of their position should contact Human Resources.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

Wilkinson Supply Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status under applicable laws.