Corporate Controller (Manufacturing) - NA

Essenti Talent; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Essenti Talent in Little Rock, AR seeks a hands-on Controller to lead accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls across multiple facilities. You will partner with plant leadership and corporate finance to drive disciplined financial management and audit readiness.

The role requires 15–20 years in manufacturing accounting, strong SAP/ERP experience, and exceptional communication with senior leaders. This is a full-time, on-site position based in Little Rock.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field is required.
• CPA and/or master’s degree preferred for advanced leadership.
• 15–20 years of progressive accounting experience in manufacturing.
• At least three years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, cost accounting, and multi-site consolidations.
• Experience managing external audits and ERP systems, SAP strongly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and financial modeling abilities.
• Strong executive communication, analytical, problem-solving, and team development capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Direct all accounting operations including GL, payables, receivables, payroll, cost, fixed assets and inventory.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure timely financial reporting.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, internal controls, and procedures under U.S. GAAP.
• Partner with plant and commercial leadership on budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and cost control.
• Oversee standard costing, inventory reconciliations, rate studies, and multi-site reporting.
• Manage external audits, tax filings, regulatory reporting, and audit readiness.
• Present results, risks, trends, and opportunities to senior leadership.
• Support ERP implementations and finance-process improvement initiatives.
• Lead, develop, and hold the accounting team accountable for performance.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Cost accounting

Internal controls

Cross-functional partnering

Executive communication

Problem-solving

Team development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

CPA and/or master’s degree preferred

Tools

SAP

Excel

Job description

Controller – North America

Location: Little Rock, Arkansas
Employment Type: Full-Time | Exempt

A growing North American manufacturing organization is seeking an experienced Controller to lead accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and manufacturing cost accounting across multiple facilities.

This role will oversee the accounting team and partner closely with plant leadership, commercial teams, and corporate finance to improve financial discipline, strengthen reporting accuracy, support operational decision-making, and maintain audit readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, cost accounting, fixed assets, and inventory accounting.
• Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, internal controls, and procedures in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Partner with plant and commercial leadership on budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, cost control, and profitability reporting.
• Oversee standard costing, inventory reconciliations, rate studies, product-line analysis, and multi-site financial reporting.
• Manage external audits, tax filings, regulatory reporting, and audit-readiness activities.
• Present financial results, risks, trends, and business opportunities to senior leadership.
• Support ERP implementations and finance-process improvement initiatives.
• Lead, develop, and hold the accounting team accountable for performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• CPA and/or master’s degree preferred.
• 15–20 years of progressive accounting experience in a manufacturing environment.
• At least three years of supervisory or leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, manufacturing cost accounting, financial modeling, and multi-site consolidations.
• Experience managing external audits.
• ERP experience required; SAP strongly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong executive communication, analytical, problem-solving, and team-development capabilities.

This is an opportunity for a hands-on accounting leader who can combine technical accounting depth with strong manufacturing finance, cost-control, and business-partnering experience.