Controller, Accounting, Cost Accountant

Ulm Automotive; Roswell (GA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ulm Automotive, a manufacturer of automotive customizations, seeks a hands-on Controller to lead the full accounting function. You will own financial reporting, cost accounting, and budgeting, partnering with operations to optimize margins and capital allocation.

The ideal candidate has deep cost accounting expertise, thrives in mid-market manufacturing, and operates effectively at strategic and transactional levels. CPA is strongly preferred; manufacturing experience is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance is required.
• CPA is strongly preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience; 3–5 years as Controller or senior financial leader.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (GAAP).
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes.
• Own standard cost development, BOM costing, and overhead allocation across all product lines.
• Oversee budgeting and rolling forecasts; manage cash flow and working capital.
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax advisors.

Skills

Cost accounting

Financial reporting

ERP administration

Budgeting & forecasting

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance

CPA

CMA or MBA

Tools

Katana ERP

QuickBooks

Job description

Job Description Job Description CONTROLLER Automotive Customizing Company | Athens, GA ~$20M Annual Revenue | Manufacturing & Custom Build Operations Reports To: General Manager (Day-to-Day) / CFO (Financial) Direct Reports: Accounting Staff, AP/AR Clerk(s) FLSA Status: Exempt Position Summary The Controller is the senior financial leader for a $20M build-to-order automotive customizing and manufacturing company. This hands-on role owns the full accounting function — financial reporting, cost accounting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and ERP oversight (Katana Manufacturing ERP). The Controller partners directly with operations, production, and the Purchasing Agent to build accurate product cost structures that drive pricing, margins, and profitability. The ideal candidate brings deep cost accounting expertise, thrives in a mid-market manufacturing environment, and operates comfortably at both strategic and transactional levels. Key Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Close

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (GAAP)
• Deliver management reporting packages with variance analysis, trend reporting, and KPI dashboards
• Own month-end and year-end close processes
• Own standard cost development, BOM costing, labor costing, and overhead allocation across all product lines
• Analyze material, labor, and overhead variances with root-cause explanations
• Build and maintain cost models capturing materials, labor, subcontractors, overhead, and margin targets
• Partner with production leadership to ensure job costing accuracy
• Partner with the Purchasing Agent to maintain accurate material cost inputs for all standard cost models
• Track and report purchase price variances (PPV); support supplier benchmarking and cost reduction initiatives
• Jointly review and approve material cost standards on a periodic basis
• Design and maintain internal controls across purchasing, payables, receivables, payroll, and inventory
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and financial institutions
• Oversee fixed assets, depreciation, and capital expenditure tracking
• Lead annual budgeting and rolling forecasts; track budget-to-actual monthly
• Provide financial modeling for new product lines, facility investments, and expansion initiatives
• Advise ownership on financial risks, opportunities, and resource allocation
• Manage daily cash flow, working capital optimization, and banking relationships
• Oversee AR collections and AP timing to maintain a healthy cash conversion cycle
• Serve as finance owner of Katana, ensuring full utilization for inventory, production costing, and BOM management
• Oversee integration between Katana and the accounting platform (e.g., Quick Books)
• Drive continuous improvement in ERP workflows and reporting
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team (AP, AR, staff accountants)
• Set performance expectations, promote cross-training, and ensure process documentation
• Bachelor's in Accounting or Finance — required
• CPA — strongly preferred
• CMA or MBA — a plus
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience; 3–5 years as a Controller or senior financial leader
• Manufacturing industry experience required — automotive, custom fabrication, or build-to-order strongly preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in cost accounting, standard costing, and product cost build-up methodologies
• Company Description Ulm Automotive customizes vans for various auto manufacturers
• Company Description Ulm Automotive customizes vans for various auto manufacturers