Controller (Part-time)

Ascent CFO Solutions; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 145,000; Part time

Job summary

Ascent CFO Solutions is seeking a Part-Time Controller to run the full accounting function for a growing Austin manufacturer. You will own the books, close, and provide financial leadership to the CEO and owners, with a lean team and multi-location responsibilities.

The role covers close, reporting, payroll, tax filings, and process improvements, requiring 7+ years in manufacturing or distribution finance and strong Excel and ERP skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including time as a Controller or Assistant Controller at a manufacturing or distribution company.
• Strong Excel skills and proficiency with ERP systems.
• Experience with inventory accounting, standard costing, and multi-location operations.

Responsibilities

• Run the monthly close and prepare financial statements.
• Manage cash, banking, and reporting to ownership.
• Oversee payroll, taxes, and compliance with state filings.
• Supervise AP/AR activities and expense processing.
• Maintain procedures and look for simplifications in processes.

Skills

Excel skills

Inventory accounting

ERP experience

Leadership

Cross-functional communication

Tools

Expandable ERP

QuickBooks

Job description

Controller (Part-Time, 20-30 hrs/week)
Austin, TX | Reports to the CEO | $90-105/hour (1099)

About the company:

We're an established Austin manufacturer with $15-20M in annual revenue, customers across the U.S. and internationally, and a supply chain that includes overseas contract manufacturers. We're a small, lean team, and our Controller is the entire finance function: you'll own the books, the close, and the numbers leadership uses to run the business.

What you'll do:

Accounting and close

• Run the monthly close in our ERP (Expandable), including accruals, reversing entries, and reconciliations for cash, AR, AP, unvouchered inventory, and inventory by location
• Produce monthly and quarterly financial statements and maintain the reporting templates (BizInsight)
• Maintain the fixed asset and depreciation schedule
• Keep the company on its modified cash basis, with accruals for significant recurring items like design fees, inventory obsolescence, commissions, and bonuses

Cash and reporting

• Manage daily cash: review bank activity, post ACH, wire, and credit card receipts, and oversee lockbox posting
• Deliver the daily sales, bookings, backlog, and cash position reports to ownership
• Approve wires and manage prepayments to overseas vendors

Inventory and cost

• Oversee inventory accounting across multiple locations (including offshore), standard costs, and purchase price variances
• Clear prepaid inventory as goods are received and flag standard costs that need updating

Payroll, tax, and compliance

• Oversee payroll through our third-party provider (weekly hourly and semi-monthly salaried), payroll journal entries, and 401(k) funding
• File quarterly sales and use tax in Texas, California, and Michigan
• Prepare the annual Freeport exemption and property tax rendition for Travis Central Appraisal District
• Process partner distributions and maintain the books for the general partner entity (QuickBooks)

People and process

• Supervise the Accounting Admin, who handles AP entry, check runs, and AR support
• Approve non-PO invoices and own collections escalations and write-offs
• Keep procedures documented and current, and look for ways to simplify how the work gets done

What you bring:

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including time as a Controller or Assistant Controller at a manufacturing or distribution company
• Hands-on experience with inventory accounting, standard costing, and a mid-market ERP (Expandable experience is a plus, not a requirement)
• Comfort running a close end to end without a large team behind you
• Working knowledge of multi-state sales tax; Texas Freeport experience is a plus
• A partnership or LP background is helpful
• Strong Excel skills
• You're comfortable being the person the CEO calls with a finance question, and you can give a clear answer

Pay:

• $95-105/hour, 1099
• 20-30 hours/week
• Hybrid schedule, office located in Northeast Austin (near 183 & 290)