Financial Controller

Aqua-Hot Heating Systems, An Airxcel Brand; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Aqua-Hot Heating Systems, An Airxcel Brand, is seeking a Controller for its Frederick, Colorado site to lead financial performance and operational accountability in a manufacturing environment.

The role oversees all accounting, reporting, forecasting, budgeting, cost and inventory accounting, and cash flow management while partnering with functional leaders to improve margins and working capital. This role requires hands-on leadership and strong internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Minimum 5 years manufacturing finance experience in a standard-cost environment.
• Demonstrated track record identifying financial and operational risks early and partnering with leaders to improve performance.
• ERP experience; Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly financial close process and ensure timely, accurate reporting to Airxcel and management, including financial statements, schedules, forecasts, KPI reporting, and variance analyses.
• Provide financial insight and recommendations to support business decisions, profitability, and operational performance.
• Develop monthly forecasts for revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, inventory, and cash flow.
• Analyze performance against budget/forecast and prior-year results, and track corrective actions.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customer Support to improve financial and operational performance.
• Lead monthly margin reviews and drive initiatives on material margin, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, inventory optimization, and working capital.

Skills

Manufacturing accounting

Advanced Excel

Financial analysis

Leadership

SOX controls

Budgeting

Forecasting

Variance analysis

ERP systems

Cost accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains)

Job description

The Controller is a key member of the leadership team responsible for driving financial performance and operational accountability across the business. The Controller oversees all accounting, financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, cost accounting, inventory accounting, cash flow management, payroll administration, and financial analysis activities. Beyond ensuring accurate financial reporting and strong internal controls, the Controller partners with functional leaders to improve margins, optimize working capital, develop accurate forecasts, support strategic decision-making, and identify financial and operational risks before they impact results.

The successful candidate combines strong manufacturing accounting expertise with a hands-on, analytical approach and the ability to translate financial information into actionable business decisions. The Controller leads, coaches, and develops finance personnel while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and business partnership.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly financial close process and ensure timely, accurate reporting to Airxcel and management, including financial statements, supporting schedules, forecasts, KPI reporting, and variance analyses.
• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, providing financial insight and recommendations that support business decisions, profitability improvement, and operational performance.
• Develop monthly forecasts for revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, inventory, and cash flow while identifying risks and opportunities.
• Analyze business performance against budget, forecast, and prior-year results, providing actionable recommendations and tracking corrective actions.
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, Sales, and Customer Support to improve financial and operational performance.
• Lead monthly margin reviews and drive initiatives focused on material margin, labor efficiency, overhead absorption, inventory optimization, and working capital improvement.
• Support the SIOP process through participation in weekly meetings, inventory analysis, forecast validation, and financial scenario modeling.
• Own standard costing processes, including annual cost rolls, bill of material accuracy, labor and overhead rates, and inventory valuation.
• Monitor and analyze manufacturing variances, including purchase price variance, labor variances, material usage variances, scrap, rework, and inventory adjustments.
• Partner with Supply Chain and Operations to reduce excess and obsolete inventory and improve inventory turns and cash flow performance.
• Develop and maintain KPI dashboards and benchmark performance against established business objectives.
• Lead annual budgeting and long-range financial planning processes in partnership with department leaders and corporate management.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, SOX requirements, tax regulations, and GAAP.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and general accounting functions.
• Review and approve weekly disbursements and bi-weekly payroll activities.
• Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital performance, including receivable collections and inventory investment.
• Coordinate external audits, tax filings, and interactions with regulatory agencies.
• Lead, coach, and develop finance personnel through goal setting, performance management, succession planning, and continuous professional development.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and implement controls that improve accuracy, efficiency, and accountability throughout the organization.
• Support capital expenditure planning, financial modeling, business case development, and investment analysis.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing finance experience in a standard-cost environment.
• Demonstrated track record of identifying financial and operational risks early, providing timely business insights, and partnering with leaders to implement corrective actions that improve business performance.
• Demonstrated experience leading monthly close, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis processes.
• Experience supporting inventory-intensive manufacturing operations.
• Experience with SOX controls, internal controls, and audit compliance.
• Prior experience leading and developing accounting or finance personnel.
• ERP experience required; Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) experience preferred.
• Experience supporting operational decision-making through financial analysis and business partnership.

Knowledge and Skill Requirements

• Strong understanding of manufacturing accounting, standard costing, inventory valuation, and variance analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills, including pivot tables, lookups, financial modeling, and data analysis.
• Ability to translate financial information into actionable business recommendations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to identify business risks and opportunities before they impact results.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to influence leaders across the organization.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities.
• Demonstrated business acumen with both strategic and hands-on execution skills.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and ownership.

Work Location

• This is a full-time, on-site position located in Frederick, Colorado.
• Regular on-site presence is required to effectively support manufacturing operations, inventory management, cross-functional collaboration, and leadership team activities.

Salary Range: $115,000 - $130,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience.