Controller-CPA

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

Job summary

Brilliant® manufactures seeking a Controller to lead the close, consolidation, and reporting across locations from Bolingbrook. The role offers a clear path toward the CFO seat for a CPA with strong GAAP and consolidation experience.

You will own costing, inventory, and plant-level analytics, partnering with operations to improve margins and drive cost efficiencies. This onsite position demands leadership in controls and process improvements.

Qualifications

• CPA certification is required for the role.
• Experience with GAAP and consolidation across multiple locations.
• Strong cost and inventory accounting background with plant-level exposure.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close across all locations, including intercompany eliminations.
• Produce consolidated GAAP financial statements with schedules and variance analysis.
• Deliver plant-level and consolidated reporting with driver commentary.
• Own standard costing, BOM, routing accuracy, and variance analysis (PPV, usage, labor, overhead).
• Manage inventory accounting across materials, WIP, and finished goods with reserves and cycles.
• Partner with operations on margin analysis and product profitability; drive cost roll updates.

Skills

CPA

GAAP

Consolidation

Financial close

Cost accounting

Inventory accounting

Internal controls

SAP

Forecasting

Budgeting

Leadership

Education

CPA licensure

Tools

SAP

Job description

Our manufacturing client is looking for their next Controller. Path to the CFO seat is close.

• Onsite 5 days in Bolingbrook
• CPA is Required
• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual close across all locations, including consolidation and intercompany eliminations
• Produce consolidated GAAP financial statements with supporting schedules and variance analysis
• Deliver plant-level and consolidated reporting to leadership with commentary explaining the drivers, not just the results

Manufacturing & Cost Accounting-

• Own standard costing, BOM and routing accuracy, labor and overhead absorption, and variance analysis (PPV, material usage, labor, overhead)
• Manage inventory accounting across raw materials, WIP, and finished goods, including reserves, cycle counting, and physical inventory
• Partner with operations on margin analysis, product profitability, and cost roll updates
• Translate yield, scrap, batch loss, and production efficiency into financial impact
• Standardize chart of accounts, close procedures, and reporting formats across all sites
• Serve as the finance partner to each plant manager
• Ensure consistent application of accounting policy regardless of location
• Support the integration of future acquired locations

Team Building-

• Assess the current team, identify gaps, and recruit, hire, and onboard to fill them
• Coach and develop staff - build bench strength rather than concentrating knowledge
• Create cross-training and documented procedures so the function survives any one departure

Process, Controls & Systems-

• Document, standardize, and improve accounting processes across all locations
• Design and enforce internal controls; identify and remediate weaknesses
• Own SAP configuration, master data integrity, reporting, workflow, and user training
• Drive automation and eliminate manual workarounds, shadow spreadsheets, and duplicate data entry
• Manage the annual audit and tax preparation as primary contact for external partners
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll accounting, fixed assets, and general ledger
• Support cash management, forecasting, budgeting, and lender reporting