Corporate Controller

Gilder Search Group; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group partners with a private equity backed industrial services company scaling in energy and mineral purification. The Controller will build the finance and accounting infrastructure for rapid growth while managing day-to-day accounting.

Reporting to the CFO, the role leads ERP implementation, automation, and global acquisition integrations, establishing internal controls and GAAP reporting. A clear path to CFO within 3–5 years is offered as the business expands internationally.

Qualifications

• ERP implementation experience
• Automation of finance processes
• M&A experience in acquisition integrations
• Proven ability to build and manage an accounting/finance team
• Background in GAAP accounting and external audits
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting and financial planning

Responsibilities

• Lead the accounting function and build the finance team as the company scales.
• Own ERP implementation and automate finance processes.
• Collaborate with other departments to keep accounting and finance tight.
• Support M&A activity and own the accounting for global acquisitions.
• Establish internal controls, financial policies, and reporting discipline.
• Manage GAAP financial statements and external audit relationships.
• Partner with CFO on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning.

Skills

ERP implementation

Automation experience

M&A experience

Leadership of accounting/finance team

GAAP

Budgeting & forecasting

Internal controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA certification

Job description

Controller
Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Scottsdale, AZ | Mesa, AZ

We're partnering with a private equity backed industrial services company scaling up in the energy and mineral purification space. Backed by a globally recognized PE firm, the business is moving from pilot operations toward its first commercial facility. This is a pre-revenue business building the finance and accounting infrastructure it needs to scale, and this hire is central to that build.

This is a Controller role that sits close to the ground and close to strategy at the same time. You'll own day to day accounting while also designing the processes, systems, and controls the company will run on as it grows. You'll manage the existing team now and build out new seats once the company is settled into its new headquarters.

Reporting directly to the CFO, you'll be a key partner to the executive team and the PE board as they prepare finance infrastructure for a business about to grow fast. This role carries a clear succession path to CFO within 3 to 5 years. The company has manufacturing operations across Brazil, Colombia, and other parts of South America, so this role touches a genuinely global finance function.

What you\'ll be doing

Leading the accounting function and building the finance and accounting team as the company scales. Owning ERP implementation and driving automation across finance processes, working closely with other departments and business units to keep the accounting and finance function tight. Supporting M&A activity, with direct ownership of the accounting and finance side of global acquisition integrations. Establishing internal controls, financial policies, and reporting discipline appropriate for a company heading toward its first commercial operations. Managing GAAP compliant financial statements and the external audit relationship, and partnering with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning as the business scales.

What you\'ll need

ERP implementation and automation experience is essential, along with previous M&A experience where you led or were heavily involved in acquisition integrations. You\'ll need real experience building and managing an accounting and finance team, not just being part of one, and background in a labor intensive, project based industry.

What would make you stand out

A CPA. Previous exposure to IPO readiness or an exit strategy inside a PE backed environment. Energy or mining experience is a plus, though we\'re flexible on industry as long as it\'s project based. A mix of public and private accounting experience, ideally including time at a Big 4 or top 10 firm in audit or advisory. We\'ll also consider candidates coming from investment banking or another PE portfolio company. Willingness to relocate to a new out of state headquarters within the next 1 to 2 years is important given where this business is heading.