Manufacturing Corporate Controller

Sterling St James LLC; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling St James LLC in Little Rock, AR seeks a seasoned Controller to lead accounting operations across North America, driving accurate financial reporting and robust internal controls. You will partner with plant leadership, commercial teams, and corporate finance to improve financial discipline and audit readiness.

The role requires 15–20 years in manufacturing accounting, CPA and/or master's degree preferred, and SAP ERP experience.

Qualifications

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

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.

Skills

U.S. GAAP

Internal controls

Manufacturing cost accounting

Financial modeling

Multi-site consolidations

External audits

Excel

Executive communication

Analytical

Problem-solving

Team development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA

Master's degree (preferred)

Tools

SAP

ERP systems

Microsoft 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.