Controller, Navigator Wine Collection

Wine Industry Network, LLC; Napa (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical coverage

Dental coverage

HSA with employer contributions

Vision coverage

401(k) with match

Job summary

Navigator Wine Collection, an independent wine producer in South Napa, seeks a hands-on Controller to lead financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business analysis. You will own the monthly close and partner across production, purchasing, sales, and operations to strengthen costing and cash flow.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in wine-industry accounting with strong Dynamics 365 BC experience, plus advanced Excel. Hybrid work after a 90-day on-site training period.

Qualifications

• Progressive accounting experience with monthly close.
• Wine industry accounting experience with inventory and costing.
• Experience building financial reports from multiple sources.
• Strong Excel skills with pivot, lookups, and large data sets.
• GAAP knowledge and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, prepaids, and schedules.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and management reports with variance explanations.
• Review reconciliations and general ledger activity for accuracy.
• Coordinate intercompany reporting and data alignment with finance teams.
• Lead the annual budget, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Develop reports using Business Central and Excel to support decisions.
• Identify risks and opportunities and communicate findings to CEO and leadership.

Skills

5+ years accounting

Wine industry accounting

Dynamics 365 BC

Financial reporting

Advanced Excel

GAAP knowledge

Budgeting & forecasting

Cash flow analysis

Intercompany accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

CPA license desirable

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Excel

Power BI

SQL

Job description

Controller

Navigator Wine Collection | Napa, California | Full time, Exempt

Reports to:

Chief Executive Officer

Compensation:

$90,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, plus benefits.

Benefits:

Benefits begin on the first of the month following your start date and include medical and dental coverage at no cost to the employee, an HSA with employer contributions, and optional vision, accident, critical illness, and other supplemental plans. Employees become eligible for the 401(k) after three months, with a company match of 50% of employee contributions up to 6% of compensation.

Schedule:

On-site during a 90-day training period, with a hybrid schedule thereafter to be determined with management.

About Navigator

Navigator Wine Collection is an independent wine producer based in South Napa, with 41 brands and several well-known private labels, producing approximately one million cases annually. We partner with some of the world’s leading retailers to develop and deliver successful wine programs across domestic and international markets.

We are a small but strong team with a global reach. Our people take ownership, work across departments, and make a direct contribution to the business. We are adding a hands‑on, hybrid Controller role to our accounting and data team. We are looking for someone who combines strong accounting experience with systems knowledge, analytical ability, and a willingness to contribute across the business, handling both traditional Controller responsibilities and data‑related tasks.

Position Summary

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Controller will lead financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and business analysis. You will work closely with our accounting manager, who manages daily accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable, and partner with colleagues across production, purchasing, sales, and operations.

This role requires someone who understands both the numbers and the business behind them. You will own the monthly close, deliver accurate financial statements, strengthen wine production costing, and use data to explain performance and support decisions on margins, inventory, customer profitability, and cash flow.

The ideal candidate has personally built reports and analyzed complex data, with strong Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central experience. You understand how inventory, production, purchasing, and sales flow through the system and affect financial results. You are comfortable taking responsibility, solving problems, and moving between detailed accounting work and broader business analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting and Close

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including journal entries, accruals, prepaids, and supporting schedules.
• Prepare accurate financial statements and management reports with clear explanations of variances and trends.
• Review and complete bank, intercompany, and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Review general ledger activity for accuracy, completeness, and timely posting.
• Coordinate required reporting, intercompany activity, and data alignment with affiliated finance teams and outside advisors.
• Maintain effective accounting procedures and internal controls.

Business Analysis and Annual Planning

• Lead the annual budget, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Compare actual results against plan, explain significant variances, and recommend action.
• Analyze revenue, margins, production costs, inventory, and customer profitability.
• Build and maintain reports using Business Central, the data warehouse, Excel, and other reporting tools.
• Support pricing, purchasing, and operating decisions with clear, practical analysis.
• Identify financial risks and opportunities and communicate findings directly to the CEO and leadership team.

Inventory and Wine Production Costing

• Maintain accurate costing for bulk wine, dry goods, bottling, and finished goods inventory.
• Reconcile inventory across production partners, bonded facilities, and warehouse locations.
• Review production, storage, and freight charges for accuracy and proper allocation.
• Reconcile inventory and production records to the general ledger and investigate discrepancies.
• Ensure cost of goods sold accurately reflects underlying product costs.

Business Central and Process Improvement

• Serve as the lead accounting resource for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Understand and review how inventory, production, purchasing, and sales transactions affect financial reporting.
• Improve data accuracy, reporting, and workflows across departments.
• Personally develop reports and analyses that make business performance easier to understand.
• Identify opportunities for automation and coordinate with technical resources on more substantial systems or data warehouse development.
• Document procedures and support system changes and testing.

Excise, Compliance, and Accounting Support

• Oversee monthly federal and state excise tax filings, payments, and supporting reconciliations in coordination with the compliance team and outside advisors.
• Track filing deadlines and ensure required work is completed accurately and on time.
• Coordinate with the outside CPA and support annual reviews, audits, and tax preparation.
• Work with the accounting manager to review AR and AP activity, resolve discrepancies, and address escalated issues.
• Provide financial analysis and support across sales, supply chain, production, and operations.

Required Qualifications

• At least five years of progressive accounting experience, including responsibility for financial reporting and the monthly close.
• Wine industry accounting experience, including inventory and production costing.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Demonstrated experience personally building financial reports and analyzing data from multiple sources.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, and large data sets.
• Working knowledge of GAAP, inventory accounting, and internal controls.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis.
• Ability to work independently, manage competing deadlines, and follow through.
• Clear communication skills and a collaborative approach across departments.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• Experience with Power BI and familiarity with SQL.
• Familiarity with TTB and state excise tax reporting, including CBMA credits.
• Experience with intercompany accounting and multi‑entity reporting.
• Experience improving accounting processes or implementing financial systems.
• CPA license desirable but not required.

Work Environment

This position is based in our South Napa office, with a generally consistent weekday schedule and no regular travel expected. The role is primarily office‑based and may occasionally require lifting up to 20 pounds.

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