Controller — South Bay (LA), Connecticut | Pacific Executive Search

Controller

(Job ID: 1966)

South Bay (LA), Connecticut

Hybrid

Direct Hire

Energy

$200,000 – $240,000 base

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Overview

We are seeking a dynamic Controller to lead our accounting operations and establish a scalable financial infrastructure as we grow. This pivotal role will have a significant impact on our financial integrity and operational efficiency, providing opportunities for professional development and career advancement. You will thrive in a collaborative and innovative environment, where values such as stewardship, leadership, and exploration are at the forefront of our mission. Join us and contribute to building a sustainable future while enjoying unique benefits like unlimited PTO and an annual learning stipend.

Responsibilities

Oversee and manage outsourced accounting operations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness in financial reporting and compliance.
Lead the selection and implementation of an ERP system to enhance financial processes and reporting capabilities.
Develop and maintain robust grant management processes to ensure compliance with state and federal funding requirements.
Design and implement a manufacturing cost accounting system, including inventory management and variance analysis.
Manage cash positioning and banking relationships, ensuring optimal cash flow across accounts.
Coordinate the external audit process and oversee tax compliance, ensuring adherence to US GAAP and relevant accounting standards.
Own the budgeting process, providing variance analysis and accountability for budget owners.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, with expertise in general ledger management and financial close processes.
Experience in ERP selection and implementation (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct).
Strong understanding of US GAAP, financial reporting, and audit processes.
Experience with manufacturing cost accounting and inventory management.
Excellent communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally.
Nice-to-Have:
CPA certification or MBA in Accounting or Finance.
Prior experience in venture-backed, growth-stage companies in capital-intensive sectors.
Familiarity with government grant compliance and cost accounting for federal/state contracts.
Exposure to ASC 842 lease accounting and project finance accounting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Accounting Manager hires fail?
Because companies hire for close execution when the real need is issue ownership and team leadership. Many candidates can manage a checklist. Far fewer can stabilize the function under pressure, improve weak processes, coach staff, and hold the line during audit, turnover, or reporting stress.
What are strong Accounting Manager candidates evaluating during the interview process?
They are usually trying to understand whether they are walking into a stable environment, a cleanup situation, or an under-resourced function. Strong candidates do not just evaluate title and compensation. They assess whether success is realistically achievable and whether leadership understands what the accounting team actually needs.
Why is manufacturing accounting and finance talent difficult to hire well?
Because manufacturing environments expose weak operators quickly. The work touches inventory, costing, margins, controls, operations, and often plant-level realities. Employers are not just hiring accounting knowledge. They are hiring someone who can function inside an operational business where the numbers have to connect to what is happening on the floor.
Is the CPA really required for roles like this?
Sometimes yes, and often functionally yes even when the posting says "preferred." At leadership levels especially, the CPA frequently acts as a credibility signal for hiring managers, auditors, lenders, investors, or boards. There are exceptions, but in many accounting searches it remains one of the clearest markers of technical foundation.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.
Is direct NetSuite experience actually necessary?
Not always. What matters more is whether the candidate has handled a similar level of system complexity and can adapt quickly. That said, in lean environments, cleanups, or fragile closes, direct NetSuite familiarity can materially reduce ramp risk.