The client is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead accounting and finance as a practical business partner to the on-site President. This role will strengthen financial reporting, costing, and inventory disciplines, improving the flow of information and processes across sales, production/pre-production, design, warehouse, and finance while reducing redundancy and manual entry where possible. The monthly closing is expected to be completed within 20 days after month-end.
The Controller will own the monthly close and deliver accurate, timely financial statements and management reporting. Key responsibilities include inventory and COGS accounting, including reconciliations, reserves, and margin analysis; improving product costing and profitability analysis by style, customer, and channel with disciplined variance tracking; and maintaining and enhancing internal controls over financial reporting and key operational processes. The role will also support annual budgeting and forecasting with the President, coordinate inventory controls such as cycle counts and physical inventory planning and execution, provide clear financial insights to non-financial teams, and offer light oversight of finance-related systems and third-party vendors.
The ideal candidate will be an accounting leader who can communicate effectively with senior leadership and influence non-financial stakeholders in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment. Prior Controller experience in apparel/fashion is preferred, though candidates from broader consumer products may be considered when they have supported wholesale businesses selling to major retailers and department stores. The position is expected to be on-site daily initially with limited flexibility once established; qualifications include at least 5+ years in a Controller or equivalent senior accounting leadership role with meaningful inventory and costing complexity, strong cost and inventory accounting and internal control skills, experience with ERP and inventory management systems, and advanced Excel proficiency, along with strong organization and judgment. CPA is strongly preferred, and an MBA may be considered with substantial directly relevant Controller experience.