Financial Controller

Gilder Search Group; Mesa (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group is seeking a Financial Controller for a Mesa, AZ-based, PE-backed tech company in the advanced materials and energy storage space. You will report to the CFO and build the accounting function, establishing internal controls to support scalable growth.

Responsibilities include end-to-end accounting, GAAP compliance, ERP implementation, and robust reporting with forecasts and cash flow analysis. This is an on-site, high-visibility role with strategic impact.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years of accounting and controllership experience in capital-intensive industries such as mining, manufacturing, construction, engineering, or real estate development.
• Big 4 or top 10 public accounting background with time in a private company.
• CPA certification strongly preferred.
• Real ERP experience: implementation and automation; exposure to M&A a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the accounting function end to end, from monthly close through annual financial statements.
• Oversee general ledger, reconciliations, and journal entries.
• Build out internal controls, policies, and procedures to keep the finance function audit ready as the business scales.
• Run day-to-day operations including accounts payable, receivables, payroll, and treasury.
• Assist ERP adoption forward and automate manual processes where possible.
• Deliver forecasting, cash flow visibility, and variance analyses explaining the why behind the numbers.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP and manage the external audit relationship.
• Collaborate with CFO and FP&A on budgeting, forecasting, and performance reviews.
• Grow a lean team into a scalable finance function.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Public accounting experience

Auditing

Education

CPA certification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Financial Controller - Mesa, AZ

We\'re partnering with a growing, PE backed tech company in the advanced materials and energy storage space on the search for a Financial Controller to join its finance team, based in Mesa, AZ.

Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a highly visible role covering core accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls. You\'ll build out the accounting function and team, help establish strategic decision-making as the business scales.

This is an on-site role 5 days a week.

What you\'ll be doing:

• Own the accounting function end to end, from monthly close through annual financial statements
• Oversee GL, reconciliations, journal entries
• Build out the internal controls environment, the policies and procedures that keep the finance function audit ready as the business scales
• Run day to day operations AP, receivables, payroll, and treasury
• Assist ERP adoption forward and automate manual processes wherever they exist
• Deliver the reporting leadership actually needs: forecasts, cash flow visibility, variance analysis that explains the \"why,\" not just the number
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP and manage the external audit relationship
• Work alongside the CFO and FP&A team on budgeting, forecasting, and performance reviews
• Grow a lean team into a function that can scale with the business

What we\'re looking for:

• 15-20 years of experience building a career in accounting and controllership, ideally somewhere capital intensive and project driven: mining, manufacturing, construction, engineering, or real estate development
• Public accounting (Big 4 or top 10 ideal) and time inside a private company
• CPA strongly preferred
• Real ERP experience: implementation and automation
• M&A exposure, acquisition integration a real plus
• Strong leadership and communication skills