Assistant Controller

(Job ID: 1983)

San Fernando Valley, California

On-Site

Direct Hire

Retail

$125,000 – $150,000 base

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Overview

We are seeking an Assistant Controller to lead our accounting operations and drive financial excellence across the organization. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to shape accounting processes, enhance financial reporting accuracy, and develop a high-performing team in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. You will play a key role in fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, while contributing to the strategic growth of the business. Join us to make a meaningful impact and advance your career in a supportive and values-driven workplace.

Responsibilities

Manage day-to-day general ledger activities, ensuring accurate transaction recording, classification, and reconciliation across multiple channels.
Lead the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, guaranteeing timely and precise completion of financial deliverables.
Oversee the Accounts Payable function, providing leadership and performance management to ensure operational efficiency.
Enhance internal controls and maintain audit-ready documentation, coordinating with external auditors to support compliance and operational excellence.
Direct inventory accounting processes, including valuation and margin reporting, while partnering with Operations and Systems teams to ensure accuracy in inventory transactions.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to provide financial insights, resolve accounting issues, and support informed decision-making across the organization.
Lead and mentor the accounting team, fostering a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
5–8 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
Proven experience managing Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, including oversight of outsourced relationships.
Strong knowledge of inventory accounting, cost of goods sold, and revenue recognition in multi-channel environments.
Hands-on experience with NetSuite, including general ledger management and financial reporting workflows.
Demonstrated ability to support external audits and maintain robust internal controls in compliance with GAAP principles.
Nice-to-Have:
Experience in the apparel, consumer products, retail, or e-commerce sectors.
Public accounting experience, including audit background.
Familiarity with Amazon Seller Central, Vendor Central, and chargeback accounting.
Experience navigating organizations through rapid growth or system implementations.
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA designation or candidacy preferred.

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.
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.

Assistant Controller — San Fernando Valley, California | Pacific Executive Search