Senior Controller — North Orange County, California | Pacific Executive Search

Senior Controller

(Job ID: 1972)

North Orange County, California

On-Site

Direct Hire

Manufacturing

$180,000 – $200,000 base

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Overview

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Controller/CAO to lead our IPO readiness efforts and enhance our technical accounting and internal control frameworks. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact on our organization’s financial integrity and operational efficiency while fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. As a key member of our leadership team, you will drive cross-functional initiatives and contribute to the development of scalable processes that support our growth trajectory. Join us in a fast-paced environment where your expertise will be valued, and your contributions will shape the future of our organization.

Responsibilities

Lead complex technical accounting analyses, ensuring compliance with ASC 606, ASC 718, and ASC 842.
Prepare and maintain comprehensive technical accounting memos and coordinate with external auditors on accounting positions.
Drive IPO readiness assessments, gap analyses, and the creation of S-1 support materials, aligning with SEC reporting expectations.
Design and implement a robust SOX control framework, identifying key control areas and coordinating testing efforts.
Lead the internal IPO Transformation Task Force, ensuring cross-functional execution and tracking of readiness milestones.
Enhance accounting processes by identifying gaps and supporting the standardization of workflows.
Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, translating guidance into actionable internal requirements.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
CPA certification is required.
10–15+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a focus on IPO readiness and technical accounting.
Strong expertise in US GAAP and experience with external auditors, particularly Big 4 firms.
Proficiency in ERP systems, particularly Oracle, and advanced skills in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment.
Nice-to-Have:
Bilingual in Korean is preferred.
Experience in late-stage private or IPO-bound companies.
Familiarity with SOX implementation and public company reporting.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, with a focus on stakeholder management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do companies mis-hire Controllers?
Because they hire for technical completeness instead of business fit. A Controller is not just a senior accountant with a larger title. Depending on the company, the role may center on close leadership, team management, audit coordination, cash visibility, lender support, or helping the CFO create better financial discipline. Hiring mistakes happen when a company has not clearly defined which version of the role it actually needs.
What separates a strong Controller from a merely experienced one?
Judgment. A strong Controller does more than run the close and maintain order. They improve visibility, create control, elevate the team, anticipate issues before they become reporting problems, and communicate risk clearly to leadership. Experience matters, but it is not the same thing as operating with authority.
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.
Why is direct SOX or SEC reporting experience still so valuable?
Because it usually reflects exposure to real deadlines, real scrutiny, and repeatable compliance discipline. It is difficult to simulate that background without having lived it, and the learning curve can be expensive in roles where reporting accuracy and controls matter immediately.
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 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.

Senior Controller

Overview

Responsibilities

Qualifications

Apply Now

Frequently Asked Questions

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