Controller

Brilliant®; Skokie (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Brilliant is seeking a hands-on Controller to serve as the senior financial leader and trusted business partner in the North/Northwest Chicago Suburbs. You will oversee accounting, finance, and the financial reporting function while strengthening controls, systems, and visibility across the organization.

This high-visibility role requires strategic thinking paired with day-to-day accounting leadership, partnering with ownership and operational leadership on business decisions and profitability

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and internal controls.
• Experience partnering with owners/executives/operational leadership.
• Experience in privately held/distribution/manufacturing environments preferred.
• CPA strongly preferred.
• Strong Excel and financial systems capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, financial reporting, and month-end close activities
• Prepare and analyze financial statements and management reporting
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial analysis
• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and related accounting operations
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, policies, and financial processes
• Partner directly with ownership and operational leadership on business decisions
• Provide financial insight related to profitability, pricing, investments, and operational initiatives
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, systems, and workflow efficiencies
• Manage relationships with external CPA firms and financial advisors
• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting and administrative team members

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Excel

Financial systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Our client is a well-established distribution company with a strong reputation in the Chicagoland market. As part of a planned leadership transition, the organization is seeking a hands-on Controller to serve as its senior financial leader and trusted business partner to ownership and management.

This is a highly visible opportunity for someone who enjoys being both strategic and involved in the day-to-day details of the business. The Controller will oversee the accounting and finance function while helping strengthen financial reporting, processes, controls, systems, and overall financial visibility across the organization.

Location: North/Northwest Chicago Suburbs

Key Responsibilities

• Lead accounting, financial reporting, and month-end close activities
• Prepare and analyze financial statements and management reporting
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial analysis
• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and related accounting operations
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, policies, and financial processes
• Partner directly with ownership and operational leadership on business decisions
• Provide financial insight related to profitability, pricing, investments, and operational initiatives
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, systems, and workflow efficiencies
• Manage relationships with external CPA firms and financial advisors
• Lead, mentor, and develop accounting and administrative team members

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience
• Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar accounting leadership experience
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and internal controls
• Experience partnering directly with business owners, executives, or operational leadership
• Experience within a privately held, family-owned, distribution, wholesale, manufacturing, food & beverage, or similar operating environment preferred
• CPA strongly preferred
• Strong Excel and financial systems capabilities