Controller – Manufacturing & Distribution

Shades of Grey HR; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

HSA with employer contributions

Employer-paid Life/AD&D

Short-Term Disability

Voluntary supplemental insurance

Job summary

Shades of Grey HR in Richmond, VA is seeking a hands-on Controller for a manufacturing and distribution operation. You will lead the accounting team, own the general ledger, and serve as a strategic partner to the President, guiding financial planning, cash management, and external audits.

This senior role requires US GAAP expertise, multi-state tax experience, and a track record of developing staff. You’ll implement controls, optimize ERP reporting, and analyze margins with operations to drive

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting and at least 10 years in a controller role with US GAAP reporting.
• Manufacturing or distribution industry experience with multi-state tax handling.
• Five+ years leading accounting staff and developing teams.
• Strong Excel and ERP skills with ability to explain complex data clearly.
• Broad accounting expertise including payroll, AP/AR, cash management, and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Own general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, tax, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual US GAAP financial reports and analyze variances.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and banking relationships.
• Manage multi-state sales tax compliance, remittance, and audits with external firms.
• Oversee cost accounting, inventory, margins, and standard costing analyses.
• Develop and mentor a small accounting team and manage workloads.
• Coordinate with HR on payroll taxes and benefits, and sales commissions.
• Maintain internal controls and improve ERP reporting and workflows.
• Support audits and present financial information to President, Board, and advisors.

Skills

Excel

ERP systems

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics Business Central

Jet Reports

TaxJar

Avalara

Job description

Job Title: Controller – Manufacturing & Distribution.

Location: Richmond, VA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: $120,000–$150,000 annually

Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, HSA with employer contributions, employer-paid Life/AD&D, employer-paid Short-Term Disability, and voluntary supplemental insurance options

Job Summary

A manufacturing and distribution business is seeking an experienced, hands‑on accounting leader to oversee its financial operations and serve as a business partner to the President. This is a confidential search; the employer’s identity is not disclosed in this posting.

You will lead the accounting team, maintain accurate books, and turn financial information into practical recommendations. This is the company’s senior accounting role, with responsibility for day-to-day execution as well as financial analysis, cash management, banking relationships, and coordination with outside auditors and tax advisors.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Own general ledger accounting, accounts payable and receivable, credit, reconciliations, and month‑end close. Complete close by the tenth business day and prepare the monthly financial package by the fifteenth day of the following month.
• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports in accordance with US GAAP. Explain results, investigate discrepancies, and identify performance gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and banking relationships. Evaluate the financial impact of proposed projects, initiatives, and contractual commitments.
• Manage multi‑state sales tax compliance, including collection, liability tracking, reconciliation, and remittance. Oversee other applicable tax obligations and coordinate income tax reporting with the outside accounting firm.
• Oversee standard costing, overhead rates, cost rolls, and variance analysis. Analyze inventory balances, freight costs, margins, and operating costs with the operations team.
• Lead and develop a small accounting team. Balance workloads, cross‑train employees, set clear expectations, and ensure deadlines are met.
• Oversee accurate payroll processing in partnership with Human Resources, including payroll taxes, benefit deductions, reconciliations, and employee payroll questions. Coordinate monthly sales commission calculations and payments with sales leadership.
• Evaluate customer credit, establish appropriate credit limits, and manage collection and bad‑debt risks.
• Maintain effective internal controls and documented accounting procedures. Improve ERP reporting, accounting workflows, payroll, accounts payable, and inventory processes.
• Coordinate audits and provide financial information to the President, Board, and external advisors. Work collaboratively across departments and support a professional, accountable team culture.

What you will bring

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting.
• At least 10 years of controller experience, with broad responsibility for financial operations and US GAAP reporting.
• Relevant experience in manufacturing, distribution, building products, or a comparable commercial business. Construction or installation accounting experience is also relevant when paired with the ability to learn the distribution side of the business.
• Hands‑on multi‑state sales tax experience, including reconciliation and accurate remittance.
• At least five years of experience managing accounting or finance staff, with a demonstrated record of team development.
• A stable employment history, including five or more years in at least two of the last three positions.
• Broad accounting experience beyond a narrowly specialized function, including financial statements, AP/AR, payroll, cash management, and internal controls.
• Strong Excel and ERP skills, sound analytical judgment, and the ability to explain financial information clearly to non‑accounting colleagues.
• Close attention to detail, a commitment to resolving discrepancies, and the ability to manage competing deadlines while working collaboratively.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation.
• Experience in commercial B2B distribution or building products, with hands‑on accounting leadership.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory accounting, freight costs, and margin analysis.
• Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, Jet Reports or other report‑writing tools, and TaxJar or Avalara. Experience with comparable ERP and sales tax systems is transferable; these specific platforms are not required.

Work Environment / Schedule

• This position works in the Richmond office. Candidates must be able to maintain a workable daily commute or relocate to the area.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States and meet the employer’s pre‑employment drug screening and criminal background check requirements.
• The role involves regular computer work, sitting and standing, and occasional reaching or stooping. Employees are expected to follow workplace safety procedures and attend required safety meetings.

Compensation and Benefits

• Annual salary range of $120,000–$150,000.
• Multiple Aetna medical plan options, including HSA‑eligible plans.
• Dental coverage through Aetna.
• Voluntary vision coverage through Guardian.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) available with eligible medical plans.
• The company matches employee HSA contributions dollar‑for‑dollar up to $480 annually and provides an additional $400 employer HSA contribution for enrolled employees for the 2026 plan year.
• Employer‑paid Group Term Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance equal to 1x annual salary, up to $200,000.
• Employer‑paid Short‑Term Disability coverage.
• Optional Voluntary Life and AD&D insurance.
• Optional Long‑Term Disability coverage.
• Optional Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity coverage.
• Insurance benefits are available to eligible employees working 30 or more hours per week.
• Eligible spouses and legal dependents up to age 26 may also participate in applicable benefit plans.
• Benefits eligibility begins the first of the month following the employee's date of hire.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.