Controller

CFS; Westport (CT); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Unlimited PTO

Medical benefits coverage 80%+

Job summary

CFS seeks an experienced Controller to lead day-to-day accounting operations and financial reporting across its brand portfolio. Reporting to the CFO, you will own monthly closes, maintain records, strengthen controls, and deliver insights to guide strategic decisions in a growing consumer products business.

Ideal candidates are organized, analytical leaders comfortable in a fast-paced PE-backed environment, with strong GAAP knowledge and inventory/cost accounting expertise.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including owning the month-end close and managing an accounting team.
• Experience in consumer products, ecommerce, or inventory-based businesses.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Experience with inventory and cost accounting.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting systems.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Experience with ecommerce and marketplace platforms (Shopify, Amazon) and wholesale/retail channels.
• Experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) or beauty.
• Experience with multi-entity consolidations.
• Experience working for a private equity backed institution.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process in accordance with GAAP.
• Oversee the general ledger, journal entries, and account reconciliations across Belle Brands entities.
• Reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, and intercompany transactions.
• Establish, document, and continuously improve accounting policies and procedures.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and consolidated reporting across the brand portfolio.
• Deliver financial results, KPIs, and variance analysis to the CFO and leadership team.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning with FP&A.
• Provide insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Oversee accounts payable, receivable, and treasury functions.
• Manage inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, and product costing; lead physical counts.
• Lead internal controls, audits, and tax filings with external advisors.
• Mentor the accounting team and collaborate with operations, supply chain, and sales.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Inventory cost accounting

8+ years accounting experience

CPG/ecommerce experience

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Multitasking

Ecommerce platforms experience

Multi-entity consolidations

PE-backed environment experience

Education

Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced, hands on Controller to lead day-to-day accounting operations and financial reporting across their brand portfolio. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller will own the monthly close, maintain accurate financial records, strengthen internal controls, and ensure proper accounting for inventory, wholesale and ecommerce sales, and operating expenses. This is a key leadership role responsible for the integrity of the company's financial statements and for delivering the financial insights that support strategic decision-making across a growing, multi-brand consumer products business.

The ideal candidate is a proven accounting leader who is highly organized, analytical, and comfortable working in a fast-paced, private equity-backed consumer products environment.

Why This Controller Opportunity?

• Newly created Controller role where you can really make the position your own
• Significant growth and M&A activity
• Really interesting exposure to recognizable consumer/beauty brands
• Small finance team = a lot of visibility and exposure to the business
• Direct partnership with the CFO, FP&A, and investment team
• Lots of opportunity to improve processes and help build the accounting infrastructure as the company grows
• Team is described as friendly, high-performing, and very understanding of life outside of work
• Unlimited PTO
• Company covers 80%+ of medical benefits with multiple plan options

Location

Fairfield County - 2 days onsite for local candidates. For candidates 1 hour+ away, option for 2 days a month.

Salary

$140-160k + 10% target bonus

Key Responsibilities Of The Controller

• Accounting Operations & Close
  • Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accurate and timely results in accordance with GAAP
  • Oversee the general ledger, journal entries, and account reconciliations across all Belle Brands entities
  • Reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, and intercompany transactions
  • Establish, document, and continuously improve accounting policies and procedures
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
  • Prepare and review monthly financial statements and consolidated reporting across the brand portfolio
  • Deliver financial results, KPIs, and variance analysis to the CFO and leadership team
  • Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning in partnership with FP&A
  • Provide insights and recommendations that support strategic decision-making
• Accounts Payable, Receivable & Treasury
  • Oversee the accounts payable process, including vendor invoices, coding, approvals, and payments
  • Manage accounts receivable, collections, and customer payment reconciliations
  • Reconcile ecommerce platform and marketplace deposits
  • Manage cash positioning, banking relationships, and working capital
• Inventory & Cost Accounting
  • Oversee inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, and product costing across the portfolio
  • Reconcile inventory movements and lead periodic physical inventory counts
  • Partner with operations and supply chain to ensure accurate costing and margin reporting
• Compliance, Controls & Audit
  • Establish and maintain effective internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure the integrity of financial reporting
  • Lead the annual audit and serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors
  • Oversee tax filings and coordination with external tax advisors, including income, sales and use, and payroll taxes
  • Ensure compliance with company policies and applicable regulatory requirements
• Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Support
  • Manage, mentor, and develop the accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement
  • Partner with operations, supply chain, and sales teams to ensure financial accuracy
  • Support FP&A, M&A, integration, and private equity and lender reporting as needed
  • Lead special projects and process and system improvements, including ERP optimization

Qualifications Of The Controller

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including experience owning the month-end close and managing an accounting team
• Experience in consumer products, ecommerce, or inventory-based businesses
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Experience with inventory and cost accounting
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting systems
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment
• Experience with ecommerce and marketplace platforms (Shopify, Amazon, etc.) and wholesale and retail channels
• Experience in consumer packaged goods (CPG) or beauty
• Experience with multi-entity consolidations
• Experience working for a private equity backed institution