Controller (Hands-on | Distribution Industry)

Lake Highlands Consulting; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Lake Highlands Consulting in Fort Worth, TX seeks a hands-on senior accounting professional to own day-to-day accounting, the month-end close, and financial reporting for its distribution business. You will run full-cycle AP/AR, close the books each month, and prepare financial statements used by leadership.

The role covers revenue from product sales and equipment leases, with daily transactions, system improvements, internal controls, and collaboration with leadership to explain results and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience including full-cycle AP, AR, and month-end close.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and accrual‑basis accounting.
• Ability to prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements independently.
• Hands‑on experience with Zoho, QuickBooks, NetSuite or similar.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day accounting, the month-end close, and financial reporting for the distribution business.
• Run full-cycle AP and AR, close the books each month, and produce financial statements for leadership.
• Reconcile balance sheet accounts, prepare journal entries, and manage revenue recognition for leases and sales.
• Support insurance and HR administration as needed, and help improve systems and controls as the company grows.

Skills

Full-cycle accounting

GAAP knowledge

Journal entries & reconciliations

Excel proficiency

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Zoho

QuickBooks

NetSuite

Excel

Job description

We're looking for a hands-on professional to own day-to-day accounting, the month-end close, and financial reporting for our distribution business. We supply to customers across the U.S. As our senior accounting professional, you'll run full-cycle AP and AR, close the books each month, and produce the financial statements leadership relies on. Revenue includes both product sales and recurring income from equipment we lease or loan to customers. You'll also support insurance and HR administration as needed.

This role suits someone who likes doing the work as much as owning it. You'll handle the daily transactions yourself, build the reconciliations, and improve our systems and controls as we grow.

Location: Fort Worth, TX (west of downtown). This is a fully in-office role.

Key responsibilities

Accounts payable

• Manage full-cycle AP: vendor setup, invoice entry, GL coding, approvals, and payment runs (ACH, check, wire)
• Match supplier invoices to purchase orders and receiving records
• Review and code freight, carrier, and hazmat shipping charges
• Maintain vendor records, W-9s, and annual 1099 filings
• Manage company credit cards and expense reports
• Schedule payments to balance vendor terms, early-pay discounts, and cash needs

Accounts receivable

• Manage full-cycle AR: customer invoicing, cash application, collections, and account reconciliation
• Run monthly recurring billing for equipment leased or loaned to customers
• Keep lease and service agreements current in the billing system, including pricing, start and end dates, and equipment placed
• Invoice to contract pricing and submit invoices through customer portals where required
• Set up new customers, review credit, and monitor credit limits
• Monitor aging reports and follow up on past‑due balances
• Process credits, returns, and rebates, and resolve billing disputes with sales and operations
• Maintain the allowance for doubtful accounts

Month-end close and general ledger

• Own the monthly close calendar and close the books accurately and on time
• Prepare and post journal entries, including accruals for freight, rebates, commissions, and unbilled items
• Record prepaids, deferrals, and depreciation
• Recognize recurring lease and rental revenue each month, and record deferred revenue for amounts billed in advance
• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts monthly, including cash, credit cards, AR, inventory, AP, accrued liabilities, payroll, and debt
• Prepare the monthly income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement
• Explain results and variances to leadership, including margin and expense trends
• Maintain the chart of accounts, fixed asset register, and supporting schedules
• Prepare year-end close schedules and support any review or audit
• Maintain internal controls and document accounting policies and procedures

Inventory and cost accounting

• Account for inventory, including receipts, valuation, and cost of goods sold
• Reconcile the inventory system to the general ledger each month
• Support physical counts and cycle counts, and book count adjustments
• Maintain reserves for slow‑moving, damaged, or expired product
• Capitalize and depreciate equipment leased or loaned to customers, and track it by customer and location
• Record freight‑in and landed costs, and track vendor rebates
• Report gross margin by product line and customer

Cash and reporting

• Monitor daily cash and prepare short‑term cash flow forecasts
• Manage the bank relationship, line of credit reporting, and any covenant calculations
• Support the annual budget and provide ad hoc analysis on pricing, customers, and costs

Insurance and HR support (as needed)

• Coordinate annual insurance renewals with the broker, including general and product liability, pollution, property, commercial auto, cargo, and workers' comp
• Issue and track certificates of insurance for customers and vendors
• Support claims and premium audits
• Process payroll or review it, and reconcile payroll and benefits each month
• Support onboarding and offboarding, benefits administration, and open enrollment
• Help keep employee records and HR compliance current

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a related field
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including full-cycle AP, AR, and month-end close
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and accrual‑basis accounting
• Proven ability to prepare journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements independently
• Hands‑on experience with accounting software (such as Zoho, QuickBooks, NetSuite, or similar)
• Advanced Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, reconciliation workbooks)
• High attention to detail and the ability to manage deadlines with minimal supervision
• Discretion with confidential financial and employee information

Preferred

• Experience with Zoho (Zoho Books, Inventory, or related apps)
• Experience in wholesale distribution, chemicals, or the food industry (helpful, not required)
• Experience accounting for inventory and cost of goods sold
• Experience as the sole or lead accountant in a small or mid‑sized company
• Familiarity with payroll, benefits administration, and business insurance
• Experience working with outside CPAs and lenders

What success looks like

• Books close accurately and on schedule each month
• Balance sheet accounts are reconciled and supported
• Vendors are paid on time and receivables are collected promptly