Financial Controller

Brilliant®; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Brilliant leads a high-growth transportation and logistics footprint in Chicago and seeks a Financial Controller / Senior Finance Leader to drive performance across finance and operations.

The role demands deep GAAP knowledge, P&L stewardship, and strategic cross-functional partnership to enable pricing, growth, and cash flow optimization in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance leadership experience.
• Freight brokerage, 3PL, transportation, or logistics experience strongly preferred.
• Strong GAAP and financial reporting knowledge.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and P&L management.
• Experience managing or partnering with external accounting, tax, or audit professionals.
• Factoring / working capital experience is a strong plus.
• CPA or CPA-track preferred, but not required.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience).

Responsibilities

• Lead financial reporting, month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis
• Oversee P&L performance and provide insights into revenue, margins, and profitability
• Develop financial models and reporting to support business decisions
• Manage cash flow, accounts receivable/payable, and working capital
• Partner with leadership on pricing, growth initiatives, and strategic planning
• Evaluate financial performance across customers, carriers, and business units
• Strengthen accounting processes, controls, and compliance
• Lead and develop the accounting/finance function
• Work cross-functionally with operations and executive leadership to improve financial performance

Skills

Finance leadership

GAAP knowledge

Financial modeling

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cross-functional collaboration

P&L management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA or CPA-track preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting software

Job description

We’re partnering with a growing transportation and logistics organization in Chicago that is looking to add an experienced Financial Controller / Senior Finance Leader to its team.

This is a high-impact opportunity for someone with experience in freight brokerage, 3PL, transportation, or logistics who enjoys operating in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment and wants a meaningful seat at the table.

What you’ll be doing:

• Lead financial reporting, month-end close, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis
• Oversee P&L performance and provide insights into revenue, margins, and profitability
• Develop financial models and reporting to support business decisions
• Manage cash flow, accounts receivable/payable, and working capital
• Partner with leadership on pricing, growth initiatives, and strategic planning
• Evaluate financial performance across customers, carriers, and business units
• Strengthen accounting processes, controls, and compliance
• Lead and develop the accounting/finance function
• Work cross-functionally with operations and executive leadership to improve financial performance

What we’re looking for:

• 5+ years of progressive accounting/finance leadership experience
• Freight brokerage, 3PL, transportation, or logistics experience strongly preferred
• Strong understanding of industry-specific financial operations and metrics
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and P&L management
• Strong GAAP and financial reporting knowledge
• Experience managing or partnering with external accounting, tax, or audit professionals
• Factoring / working capital experience is a strong plus
• CPA or CPA-track preferred, but not required
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience)

This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who wants to join a growing organization and have a direct impact on its financial strategy and continued expansion.