Strategic Controller: Finance, Close & Insights

Talentify

Loves Park (IL)

On-site

USD 73,000 - 87,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead all accounting and financial operations for a privately held company in Loves Park, IL. You will manage month-end close, financial reporting, and internal controls while partnering with ownership and department leaders on strategic decisions.

The role requires seven+ years in accounting/finance, GAAP expertise, and experience leading close processes, with ERP/Zoho Books familiarity.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Seven or more years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
Experience in roles such as Controller, Assistant Controller, Accountant, or Accounting Manager.
Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial statement preparation.
Proven experience leading month-end and year-end close processes.
Experience with cash flow forecasting and financial analysis, including developing insights and recommendations.

Responsibilities

Provide accurate and timely financial reporting to ownership and leadership, delivering clear analysis of financial performance, trends, and key business metrics.
Develop data-driven recommendations that support profitability, cash flow, and operational decision-making, and partner with department leaders to evaluate costs, margins, and overall business performance.
Lead monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring all deadlines are met and the close is efficient, accurate, and well-documented.
Prepare and review financial statements and supporting schedules, ensuring compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
Analyze and explain variances between actual and expected financial results, providing insight and guidance to leadership on drivers and corrective actions.
Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, and payroll accounting functions, ensuring all transactions are processed accurately and on time.
Review account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting documentation to maintain complete, accurate, and properly maintained accounting records.
Establish and maintain consistency across accounting processes and financial controls, standardizing procedures and documentation.
Maintain and strengthen internal controls and accounting policies, ensuring adherence across the organization.
Coordinate annual reviews, audits, and requests from external accounting partners, serving as the primary point of contact for financial and accounting inquiries.
Oversee sales tax reconciliations and support tax filing requirements, ensuring compliance with applicable financial reporting and regulatory standards.
Partner with the company’s Corporate CPA, who manages tax filings, and leverage this resource for complex accounting and technical matters.
Oversee inventory valuation and related accounting processes, ensuring accurate costing and reporting.
Monitor job costing and profitability by client, project, and service line, providing visibility into margins and performance.
Support operational leaders with financial analysis and reporting, helping them understand financial impacts and make informed decisions.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and financial visibility across the organization, driving continuous improvement in processes and reporting.
Lead and develop accounting team members, establishing clear expectations, accountability, and consistency in performance and deliverables.
Provide coaching, training, and day-to-day support to the accounting team, fostering a culture of ownership, accuracy, and continuous improvement.
Balance strategic financial oversight with hands-on execution in daily accounting operations, stepping in where needed to ensure deadlines and quality standards are met.
Collaborate effectively with finance and operations teams, as well as other internal stakeholders, to support high-volume, fast-paced business activities.