Alvest Equipment Services (AES) · 15 hours ago
Senior Controller
Des Plaines, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
10+ years expAlvest Equipment Services (AES) is seeking a Senior Controller to oversee the financial operations of the Americas region. This role involves managing accounting functions, ensuring compliance with regulations, and providing financial insights to support decision-making and profitability.
Air TransportationB2BConsultingFleet Management
Responsibilities
Lead the remediation, stabilization, and ongoing ownership of core finance processes, including close management, AR collections, AP discipline, inventory valuation, and revenue recognition
Ensure strict application of Group accounting policies, US GAAP, and local statutory requirements
Manage and ensure the accurate and timely processing of all accounting operations, including Accounts Receivable (AR), Accounts Payable (AP), General Ledger, and Financial Reporting
Oversee and execute the monthly financial close process, ensuring that all financial statements, including Profit & Loss (P&L) statements and balance sheets, are accurately produced and delivered on time. Include strong oversight of accruals, reconciliations, and analytical reviews to ensure Group standards-compliant close
Drive close acceleration to a maximum of five business days, with full compliance with Group standards, documentation, accruals, reconciliations and analytical review requirements
Prepare and present comprehensive financial reports to senior management, including detailed analyses of sales, margins, indirect costs, and overall financial performance. Provide advanced analytical commentary to explain trends, risks, and opportunities
Collaborate with the AES CFO to report financial results to the Group, ensuring transparency and accuracy in financial reporting
Establish and enforce a robust internal control framework across all stations, including approval matrices, three‑way match, and segregation of duties
Establish and maintain robust internal control systems to safeguard company assets and guarantee the accuracy of financial records. Ensure adherence to all relevant financial regulations
Ensure full compliance with Group internal control standards, accounting policies and ethics procedures
Lead the coordination of audits, working with external and internal auditors to ensure smooth audit processes, full compliance, and timely delivery of all required documentation. Drive remediation of audit findings
Partner with Operations to implement station‑level profitability, labor productivity metrics, and job costing
Provide financial insights and feedback to the management team, enhancing their decision-making processes. Ensure regular communication between Finance and Operations for effective business collaboration
Conduct in-depth variance analysis on financial results and act as a trusted business partner to the operations team, translating financial results into clear, actionable operational guidance to improve profitability and cost efficiency
Perform root-cause analysis and partner with operations to implement corrective actions
Lead cost-controlling initiatives to ensure expenses are within budget and in alignment with organizational financial goals. Regularly evaluate expenditures and provide insights to improve cost efficiency
Ensure compliance with all Group and divisional financial processes and procedures. Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure operational and financial objectives are being met consistently
Oversee inventory valuation, manage cycle counts, and ensure that all financial processes related to inventory control align with Group rules and best practices
Lead the development of the annual budget and conduct monthly reforecasting to accommodate changes in business operations
Ensure alignment of financial objectives with AES and Group strategy
Oversee the management of working capital, ensuring that AR collections, vendor payments, and inventory controls are executed efficiently to support the financial health of the organization
Drive continuous improvement in DSO, DPO, inventory turnover and cash forecasting, in line with Group cash-pooling rules
Work closely with the AES CFO on matters of financing, capital structure, and financial planning for AES USA
Manage the accurate and timely filing of sales tax declarations
Work closely with external corporate tax advisors to ensure full compliance with relevant tax regulations
Supervise a team of accounting professionals, including a Senior Accountant, Sales Admin team and AR/AP Specialists. establish clear processes, priorities, and performance expectations, and provide structured coaching to develop the team
Act as the primary interface with shared service centers (AP, AR, transactional accounting), defining clear SLAs, KPIs, and escalation paths
Oversee the finance operations of other countries in Americas Region, ensuring alignment with the overall financial strategy and operational goals of AES USA. Support alignment of accounting policies, and reporting practices across the region
Qualification
Required
10 or more years of progressive experience as a Controller or Assistant Controller in a multi-site, industrial, MRO, logistics, or aviation/service-related B2B environment
Demonstrated experience building finance processes and accelerating the close cycle
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
CPA certification is required
Strong technical accounting foundation
Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills are required
Rigorous, adaptable, with strong work ethics and excellent teamwork capabilities
Ability to operate strategically while remaining hands-on in a growth environment
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to effectively communicate complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders
Executive presence with credibility to influence operations leaders
Change-management mindset and process-building orientation
High integrity and ownership mentality
Commitment to personal and collective growth, positive collaboration, and proactive communication
Strong attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to prioritize tasks and meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Strong ethical practices and composure under pressure
Adaptable to changes in the work environment and able to deal positively with frequent change
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to problem-solving
Demonstrated leadership capacity and interest in coaching less experienced staff
Proficiency in Microsoft Suite, including Excel and Outlook
Must be able to read and speak the English language
Must have a valid driver's license
Legally authorized to work in the United States, you must be at least 18 years of age
No travel restrictions: must be willing to travel occasionally to various locations as needed
Preferred
Experience leading a remote shared service center is a strong plus
Familiarity with EAM/ Infor SunSystems is a plus
Company
Alvest Equipment Services (AES)
Alvest Equipment Services (AES), an Alvest Group Company, offers a full range of high quality services for the ground support equipment (GSE) and the airport environment, using the best combination of robust processes, dedicated software platform and agile support of a dedicated team.
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageLeadership Team
Ray Ames
Chief Operations Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase