posted: 7th October 2024

CFO Recruit is partnering a growing, global business head quartered in the UK to appoint a Controller for the US operation. This position can be fully remote or hybrid, the US office is based in Phoenix. Our client is a family owned company that has been in business for 50 years and has grown to service customers across the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the US. 

As a result of continued growth, an opportunity has arisen for a Controller to join the US business reporting in to the CFO. This role would suit a Controller, Finance Manager or Senior Staff Accountant ready to take the next step and will have oversight of the financial management of the US organization, supporting both operationally and strategically.

The Controller will work closely with the external bookkeeping company to ensure that all transactions are processed and posted correctly and will produce robust, insightful management reporting on a monthly basis. The Controller will provide the leadership team with insightful analysis to facilitate informed decision making.  Equally, the Controller will implement and embed critical processes and controls to ensure the finance function operates efficiently. 

The Controller will have the following responsibilities:

• Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with business goals.
• Support the budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning processes as defined by the CFO.
• Provide strategic financial insights to senior management to support growth and profitability.
• Develop forecasting models (P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow) with ability to build fully functioning 3-statement excel models.
• Oversee the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements including daily, weekly and monthly finance reporting for the US entity.
• Analyze financial performance, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
• Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Preparation of weekly cash flow.
• Monitor and manage the company’s cash flow, ensuring liquidity and optimal working capital management.
• Develop and implement strategies for managing cash flow in a high-growth e-commerce environment.
• Ensure the completion of bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Oversee processing and posting of all transactions in Xero.
• Establish and maintain robust financial controls to safeguard company assets.
• Ensure compliance with tax, audit, and other regulatory requirements.
• Lead internal and external audits, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
• Accurate stock accounting whilst liaising with Inventory team in the US and UK
• Oversee the preparation of year end statutory accounts.
• Implement robust controls, processes and implement improvements to systems.
• Process all payroll to ensure compliance with US tax and benefits.
• Build and mentor a team of finance professionals, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance on complex financial issues and support team development.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive financial performance across the business.
• Oversee financial operations specific to e-commerce, including payment processing, inventory management, and sales analysis.
• Partner with operations, marketing, and IT teams to optimize financial performance.
• Analyze and report on key e-commerce metrics such as conversion rates, customer acquisition costs, and average order value.

To be successful in this role the Controller will have the following experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. CPA, CMA, or equivalent qualification preferred.
• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in a senior financial role, preferably within an e-commerce or retail environment.
• Strong knowledge of e-commerce financial operations, including payment gateways, inventory management, and digital marketing finance preferred.
• Experience with accounting software and online payment systems and providers, preferably Xero.
• E-commerce experience required (Shopify preferred). 
• Adept at building fully functioning 3-statement excel models.
• The ideal candidate will have the ability to react quickly and enjoy the challenge of scaling a company; start up to scale up background a plus.
• The ability to operate in the detail but also at a strategic level; adept at presenting financial statements / summaries to leadership teams.
• Excellent communicator, with both internal and external colleagues at all levels.
• Hard-working, efficient and motivated by results.
• Ability to analyze and make recommendations, alongside the capacity to drive through key business changes.
• Strong business acumen and understanding of financial issues.

The salary advertized is a guideline and the salary offered will be commensurate with experience.