Financial Controller

SUMMARY

The Corporate Controller leads day-to-day accounting for an inventory-intensive distribution and light manufacturing business. This is a hands-on role requiring strong U.S. GAAP proficiency, exceptional attention to detail, and direct ownership of accounts payable, cash allocation and management, bank reconciliations, and timely financial closing.

Working remotely from overseas, the Controller coordinates the accounting team and external U.S. accounting advisers, maintains reliable financial records, and delivers accurate financial statements and actionable reporting to the CFO. Integrity, accountability, responsiveness, and disciplined follow-through are essential.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

U.S. GAAP and Financial Closing

• Apply U.S. GAAP consistently across the general ledger, inventory accounting, revenue recognition, accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, and other financial reporting areas.
• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close calendar, including assigned responsibilities, supporting schedules, review procedures, and deadlines agreed with the CFO
• Prepare and review journal entries and balance sheet reconciliations; investigate discrepancies and resolve or escalate material issues before closing
• Deliver accurate financial statements, variance analysis, and management reporting by established deadlines. Maintain complete documentation and a clear audit trail
• Prepare monthly bank borrowing base reports and supporting reconciliations in accordance with lender requirements.

Accounts Payable and Cash Management

• Oversee invoice coding, approvals, purchase order and receipt matching where applicable, vendor statement reconciliations, and timely resolution of discrepancies.
• Maintain accurate AP aging and a prioritized payment schedule. Allocate available cash across approved obligations based on due dates, vendor terms, discounts, operational needs, and CFO directio
• Prepare short-term cash forecasts and payment proposals; monitor available funds, upcoming commitments, and forecast variances. Escalate potential cash shortfalls promptly.
• Prepare payment batches within approved authority and maintain segregation of duties for vendor setup, bank detail changes, payment approval, and payment release.
• Manage supplier rebates, commissions, credits, claims, and payments. Avoid duplicate payments, preventable late fees, and missed eligible discounts

Bank Reconciliations

• Reconcile every bank account monthly within the close calendar, with more frequent monitoring of high-volume accounts. Match receipts, disbursements, transfers, and fees to the general ledger.
• Investigate outstanding checks, deposits in transit, unmatched transactions, and unusual activity; document and clear reconciling items promptly and escalate exceptions to the CFO

Essential Responsibilities Continued

Receivables and Inventory

• Oversee billing, cash receipt application, collections, AR aging, customer credits, and claims. Reconcile AP and AR subledgers to the general ledger.
• Reconcile inventory records to the general ledger; review costing, landed costs, inventory adjustments, and slow-moving or obsolete inventory reserves. Coordinate physical count and cycle count verification with operations.

Team Leadership and Process Management

• Direct daily accounting workflows and coordinate AP, AR, and assistant controller responsibilities as assigned by the CFO. Manage training, workload coverage, and performance expectations for internal and outsourced personnel.
• Document and improve accounting procedures and controls. Identify errors, recurring reconciliation issues, and process delays, and implement practical corrective actions.
• Coordinate payroll accounting and recordkeeping with the designated payroll provider or internal owner; support insurance administration as assigned

Audit Tax and Management Support

• Coordinate with external U.S. auditors and tax advisers. Provide timely schedules, supporting records, and responses for financial audits, income tax preparation, and other required filings.
• Maintain a compliance calendar and coordinate assigned non-payroll tax obligations with qualified advisers and authorized company personnel.
• Maintain financial reports and support ERP reporting, including Crystal Reports where used. Collaborate with managers to improve reporting, business processes, and financial controls.
• Perform other related accounting and finance duties reasonably assigned by the CFO or authorized management.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting and at least 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory responsibility and hands-on controller or equivalent experience.
• CPA or equivalent recognized professional accounting qualification in the candidate’s jurisdiction, supported by demonstrated practical proficiency in U.S. GAAP.
• Proven experience supporting U.S. businesses remotely and delivering accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual closes on schedule.
• Advanced proficiency in AP payment planning, cash allocation, cash forecasting, bank reconciliations, and balance sheet account reconciliation.
• Experience in inventory-intensive distribution and light manufacturing, including inventory costing and reconciliation.
• Advanced Excel skills and strong ERP proficiency. Sage 100 and Crystal Reports experience preferred.
• Excellent written and spoken English; ability to explain financial issues clearly, manage priorities, and escalate concerns promptly.
• High integrity, sound judgment, confidentiality, and full accountability for assigned work. MBA preferred.

Requirements

JOB REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain a consistent schedule with agreed daily overlap during U.S. Pacific Time business hours. Attend scheduled meetings and provide additional coverage for closes and audits as needed.
• Maintain reliable internet, a secure workspace, and approved systems access. Follow company requirements for data security, confidentiality, and handling financial information.

Performance Measures

• Financial statements and close deliverables completed accurately by CFO-approved deadlines; all bank and material balance sheet accounts reconciled within the close calendar.
• Accurate cash forecasts and payment schedules; vendor obligations met within approved funding and terms, with timely escalation of exceptions.
• AP and AR aging reviewed regularly; reconciling items and discrepancies resolved promptly; audit requests and assigned filings completed on time.