Controller
ghj · Bakersfield, CA · onsite
USD 120,000 to 140,000 · period not stated
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead the accounting function and maintain ownership of accurate and timely month-end and year-end close.
- Remain actively involved in journal entries, account reconciliations, general ledger activity, and resolution of accounting discrepancies.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a four-person AP/AR accounting team.
- Oversee grower accounting, settlements, and reporting, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
- Prepare and review financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and variance analyses.
- Partner closely with the CFO on cash flow forecasting, budgeting, financial reporting, analysis, and business decision support.
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable financial requirements.
- Partner cross-functionally with sales, operations, and grower relations to understand how operational activity flows through the financial statements.
- Identify and implement accounting process, systems, reporting, and workflow improvements.
- Leverage technology and automation to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and scalability of the accounting function.
- Maintain effective financial reporting and accounting workflows within the company's ERP environment.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; Accounting preferred.
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience with significant hands-on general ledger and close responsibility.
- Accounting management, Assistant Controller, Controller, or comparable leadership experience.
- Demonstrated experience leading and developing accounting staff.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, accrual accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
- Strong ERP/accounting systems experience.
- Agriculture, produce, food production/distribution, or another inventory-based industry background strongly preferred.
- Experience with grower accounting, settlements, farming operations, or agricultural accounting is highly desirable.
- Famous ERP experience is a plus.
What They're Looking For:
- The ideal Controller combines strong technical accounting skills with a hands-on mentality. You enjoy leading people but don't believe a Controller title means stepping away from the accounting itself.
- You are someone who will dig into an unusual balance, prepare or review a journal entry, help resolve a reconciliation issue, improve a process, and work alongside the team when necessary.
- This is a highly visible position with direct access to the CFO and executive leadership and the opportunity to assume greater responsibility as the organization evolves.