Senior Controller

Confidential; Culver City (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Culver City is seeking a Senior Controller to lead the finance function, report directly to the CFO, and balance hands-on ownership with strategic partnership that informs key business decisions.

You will own the close, oversee outsourced accounting and payroll, drive cash visibility and inventory accuracy, and partner with non-finance teams to implement scalable systems and controls.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of accounting or finance experience in apparel/retail/DTC.
• 2+ years of leadership experience managing people or vendors.
• Strong understanding of month-end close, reconciliations, accruals, and COGS.
• Experience managing outsourced accounting or payroll functions.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Excel/Google Sheets, and financial systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the close & elevate reporting end-to-end with variance analysis.
• Manage relationships with outsourced accounting vendors for AP/AR/payroll.
• Oversee payroll and payables with accuracy and compliance.
• Drive cash visibility and inventory accuracy; short-term forecasting.
• Build and improve systems, including automation via QuickBooks Online.
• Lead compliance and audit readiness with auditors and tax advisors.

Skills

Month-end close

Reconciliations

Accruals

COGS

Leadership

Vendor management

Tools

QuickBooks Online

Excel/Google Sheets

Financial systems

Job description

Are you ready to step into a true leadership role where you can build, influence, and scale a finance function from the inside? Our client, a fast-growing apparel brand, is looking for a Senior Controller to join their team in Culver City. Reporting directly to the CFO, this role offers a rare blend of hands-on ownership and strategic partnership. You won’t just be running the numbers, you’ll be helping shape how the business operates, makes decisions, and grows. If you’re someone who enjoys rolling up your sleeves while also having a seat at the table, this is an opportunity to make a real impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Close & Elevate Reporting: Lead the month-end close process end-to-end, ensuring accuracy while delivering clear, actionable insights and variance analysis to leadership.
• Be the Go-To for External Partners: Manage and optimize relationships with outsourced accounting vendors, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and high-quality output across AP, AR, and payroll.
• Oversee Payroll & Payables with Precision: Ensure all payroll and vendor payments are processed accurately, on time, and in full compliance with tax and labor requirements.
• Drive Cash Visibility & Inventory Accuracy: Maintain daily cash oversight and short-term forecasting while ensuring inventory and COGS are reconciled and reliable for decision-making.
• Build & Improve Systems: Play a key role in enhancing systems and processes, including automation initiatives and tools like QuickBooks Online, to create a more scalable and efficient finance function.
• Lead Compliance & Audit Readiness: Partner with auditors and tax advisors to ensure compliance, clean audits, and timely reporting, keeping the business operating smoothly and confidently.

Must-Have Qualifications

• Experience: 7+ years of accounting or finance experience within apparel, retail, or DTC environments. 2+ years of leadership experience managing people or vendors.
• Technical Skills: Strong understanding of month-end close, reconciliations, accruals, and COGS. Experience managing outsourced accounting or payroll functions. Proficiency with QuickBooks Online, Excel/Google Sheets, and financial systems.
• What Sets You Apart: Highly organized with strong attention to detail. Clear communicator who can partner with both finance and non-finance stakeholders. Proactive, solutions-oriented, and comfortable in a fast-paced environment. Able to think strategically while executing tactically.

We will consider qualified candidates with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.