Finance Controller - CPA

Korn Ferry; Williamsburg (VA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Exposure to hyperscale projects

Autonomy in leadership

International leadership environment

Job summary

Korn Ferry is representing a rapidly scaling Irish-based manufacturing and services group seeking a senior U.S. finance leader. The role oversees the U.S.

finance function, partnering with operations, production, supply chain, engineering, and executive leadership to build scalable finance infrastructure for growth in the data center sector. Ideal candidate has 7–15+ years in finance leadership within manufacturing or engineered products, with ERP experience (SAP ByDesign advantageous) and a

Qualifications

• 7–15+ years of finance leadership experience in manufacturing or project-driven environments.
• Experience with engineering-to-order projects and complex contract costing.
• ERP experience with SAP ByDesign is advantageous.
• Strong governance, cash management, and reporting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead the U.S. finance function including month-end close, reporting, and controls.
• Oversee project accounting, WIP, and project-margin reporting.
• Manage working capital, cash forecasting, and liquidity planning.
• Drive KPI reporting, pricing insights, and operational finance partnering.
• Support audits, regulatory compliance, and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Financial leadership

ERP systems

SAP ByDesign

Education

CPA or equivalent

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Power BI

SAP ByDesign

Excel

Job description

Our client offers an opportunity to join a rapidly growing business and make a significant impact on the long-term success of its global strategy. The organization is an Irish-based manufacturer, distributor, and exporter of electrical switchgear, controls, and related products and services, with a 40-year track record and a current focus on supplying the global data center industry. It operates across multiple geographic locations and offers strong career progression for ambitious professionals.

Role Overview

This is a senior finance leadership role within a high-growth, project-driven manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will lead the U.S. finance function while partnering closely with operations, production, supply chain, engineering, project management, and executive leadership. The individual will play a key role in building scalable finance infrastructure capable of supporting substantial U.S. growth in the data center sector.

Core Leadership Requirements

• Financial control and compliance
• Manufacturing and project accounting
• Working capital and cash flow management
• Commercial finance and operational partnering
• Systems and process improvement
• Leadership in a fast-scaling environment

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all U.S. finance operations, including month-end close, reporting, controls, and compliance.
• Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts.
• Ensure robust balance-sheet reconciliations and financial governance.
• Manage U.S. statutory, sales tax, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Support annual audit processes and external advisor relationships.
• Maintain strong internal controls in a rapidly scaling environment.

Manufacturing & Project Accounting

• Oversee project accounting for large-scale, engineered-to-order manufacturing contracts.
• Manage work in progress, accrued revenue, deferred revenue, and project margin reporting.
• Partner with operations to improve labor utilization, productivity, and project costing accuracy.
• Drive visibility into material usage, scrap recovery, manufacturing variances, and cost controls.
• Support inventory accuracy, valuation, and operational finance reporting.

Working Capital & Cash Management

• Lead U.S. cash-flow forecasting and liquidity planning.
• Manage debtor collections, milestone billing, and customer cash conversion.
• Monitor days sales outstanding, inventory turns, and supplier payment performance.
• Support banking relationships and financing initiatives, including working-capital facilities and asset-based lending structures.

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Partner with project managers and operational leaders on profitability, risk, and execution.
• Support bid reviews, commercial assessments, and contract governance.
• Provide financial insight into pricing, margins, and operational performance.
• Drive operational accountability through KPI reporting and business analytics.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Improve finance processes, controls, and reporting automation.
• Support the continued rollout and optimization of SAP Business ByDesign and Power BI reporting.
• Develop scalable reporting structures suitable for a growing, multi-site U.S. operation.
• Assist in developing integrated labor, production, and project-performance reporting.

Leadership

• Build and develop the U.S. finance team over time.
• Act as a key member of the U.S. leadership team.
• Foster a high-accountability, hands-on, solutions-focused culture.
• Work closely with Group Finance and leadership teams across Ireland and the United States.

Candidate Profile – Required Experience

• 7–15+ years of finance experience, with progression into senior finance leadership.
• Experience in manufacturing, engineered products, construction, industrial projects, or related sectors.
• Strong understanding of project accounting and operational finance.
• Experience managing working capital in project-based environments.
• Strong background in financial control and reporting.
• Experience operating in a scaling or fast-growth business environment.
• ERP experience is essential; SAP Business ByDesign experience is advantageous.

Preferred Experience

• Data center, electrical, modular construction, or industrial manufacturing exposure.
• Multi-entity or international group experience.
• Experience with percentage-of-completion accounting.
• Exposure to U.S. sales tax compliance and multi-state operations.
• Experience supporting operational KPI and Power BI reporting environments.

Personal Attributes

• Commercially minded and operationally engaged.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence across functions.
• Hands-on and comfortable operating in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• Able to balance strategic thinking with executional detail.
• High-accountability and ownership mindset.

Qualifications

• CPA or equivalent professional qualification preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.

Key Success Measures

• Accurate and timely month-end close.
• Improved cash conversion and working-capital performance.
• Enhanced visibility and control over project profitability.
• Strong financial governance and audit readiness.
• Improved operational finance reporting and KPI accuracy.
• Scalable finance processes capable of supporting rapid U.S. growth.

What Our Client Offers

• Opportunity to join a rapidly scaling business in one of the world’s fastest-growing sectors.
• Exposure to major hyperscale and AI infrastructure projects.
• High-impact leadership role with significant autonomy.
• Strong growth and career-development opportunity.
• Collaborative international leadership environment.

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: Group CFO
• Works closely with: U.S. General Manager; Operations and Production Leadership; Supply Chain; Project Management; Group Finance Team; Executive Leadership Team.