Charles Aris Executive Search · 1 month ago
Controller
Oak Brook, IL
Full-time
Onsite
Director/ExecutiveCharles Aris Executive Search is representing a client that is a leading industrial automation platform in North America. They are seeking a Controller to serve as a foundational financial leader responsible for transitioning the accounting organization from a decentralized model to a centralized financial reporting structure, overseeing day-to-day operations and managing a team of bookkeepers while supporting M&A activities.
ConsultingHuman ResourcesStaffing Agency
Hiring Manager
Daniel Kregenow
Responsibilities
Standardize Accounting Operations: Transition accounting workflows across all regional business units from ad-hoc processes into institutional, documented procedures with clear close checklists and internal controls
Accelerate the Close Cycle: Reimagine and optimize the monthly close process, driving current cycle times from 25 days down toward best-in-class PE benchmarks
Multi-Entity Consolidation: Manage complex financial consolidations across a blending network of NetSuite and QuickBooks instances, executing corporate topside entries, intercompany eliminations, and accrual conversions
NetSuite Project Lead: Serve as the corporate migration lead and systems implementation project manager for all existing business units and incoming acquisitions
Automate Revenue Workflows: Lead data conversion from legacy platforms (like QuickBooks) to NetSuite, configuring process workflows and rolling out automated Percentage-of-Completion (POC) revenue recognition modules based on labor costs for fixed-fee contracts
Enhance Visibility: Drive accounting tech-stack improvements that increase granular reporting visibility, giving executive leadership and private equity partners deep operational insights
Lead Post-Acquisition Workstreams: Command on-site financial integration activities for newly acquired companies, guiding initial team alignments and process assessments
Build Repeatable Playbooks: Develop a scalable, repeatable post-acquisition financial integration framework capable of absorbing four to five corporate deals per year
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner directly with the VP of Corporate Development, Integration Manager, and executive leadership to ensure seamless business integration
Organizational Design: Assess existing bookkeeping talent across business units; design the future-state finance department, hire a corporate-level Accounting Manager, and position the team to scale into divisional accounting structures
PE Stakeholder Engagement: Participate in weekly project check-in calls with the private equity deal team; co-lead Monthly Business Reviews (MBRs) and package financial performance metrics for board presentation
Qualification
Required
A Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance with an active CPA designation derived from a Big 4 or strong regional public accounting background before transitioning into a corporate setting
Expert-level knowledge of U.S. GAAP with exceptional balance sheet skills, multi-entity reconciliation expertise, and deep comfort navigating project accounting and Percentage-of-Completion (POC) metrics
Mandatory, hands-on experience guiding an organization through a NetSuite ERP implementation, multi-entity migration, or full-scale optimization
A proven track record of constructing accounting infrastructure, internal controls, and documentation from scratch within low-structure, entrepreneurial, or startup environments
Direct experience in smaller, growth-oriented businesses ($20M–$150M) with the resilience and adaptability required to navigate a high-velocity, private equity-backed M&A environment
Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the professional confidence to influence cross-functional business unit leaders, mentor a distributed accounting team, and present data-driven strategies directly to the Board of Directors
Company
Charles Aris Executive Search
Charles Aris is an executive search firm headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Founded in 1969
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Allen Oakley
President & COO
Colleen Morgan
Human Capital Business Partner
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