Torchora
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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Financial Controller

💰 $120,000 - $190,000

FinanceAccountingManagementLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a highly skilled and strategic Financial Controller to join our executive team. In this pivotal role, you will be the backbone of our financial operations, responsible for the integrity and accuracy of all accounting functions. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), the Financial Controller will lead the accounting team, establish robust financial controls, and deliver timely, insightful financial reporting. You will act as a key business partner to senior leadership, translating complex financial data into actionable strategies that drive sustainable growth and profitability. This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven accounting leader to make a significant impact on our company's future.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Accounting Manager
  • Assistant Controller
  • Senior Manager, Public Accounting (Audit/Assurance)

Advancement To:

  • Vice President (VP) of Finance
  • Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
  • Corporate Controller (in a larger organization)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
  • Director of Treasury

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Direct the full cycle of accounting operations, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, and Revenue Recognition, ensuring precision and compliance.
  • Lead and orchestrate the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes to deliver timely and accurate financial statements in accordance with US GAAP/IFRS.
  • Develop, implement, and maintain a robust framework of internal controls and procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure SOX compliance.
  • Spearhead the annual financial audit process, acting as the primary point of contact for external auditors and ensuring a smooth and efficient audit engagement.
  • Manage and forecast the company's cash position and debt covenants, optimizing liquidity and providing strategic recommendations for capital allocation.
  • Prepare and present comprehensive financial reporting packages for executive management and the Board of Directors, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities.
  • Drive the annual budgeting and periodic forecasting processes in close collaboration with the FP&A team and department heads to ensure financial alignment with strategic goals.
  • Ensure timely and accurate filing of all local, state, and federal tax returns and other statutory financial reporting requirements.
  • Serve as the organization's subject matter expert on technical accounting matters, researching complex issues and guiding the implementation of new accounting standards (e.g., ASC 606, ASC 842).
  • Mentor, manage, and develop a high-performing accounting team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and professional growth.
  • Analyze and interpret financial data to provide critical insights and variance analysis, communicating financial results and their implications to non-finance stakeholders.
  • Oversee the administration and optimization of financial systems and ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Oracle), driving automation and process improvement initiatives.
  • Partner with the executive team on strategic initiatives, providing financial modeling, due diligence support for M&A, and ad-hoc analysis.
  • Establish and enforce rigorous accounting policies and principles throughout the organization to ensure consistency and reliability of financial information.
  • Manage treasury functions, including banking relationships, investment strategies, and foreign exchange risk management.
  • Oversee all aspects of the company's equity administration, including stock option accounting and cap table management.
  • Collaborate with legal and HR departments to ensure compliance across all financial and administrative functions, including payroll and benefits accounting.

Secondary Functions

  • Lead or support special projects as assigned by the CFO, such as system implementations, profitability analysis, or financial integration of acquisitions.
  • Develop and track key performance indicators (KPIs) across the organization to provide actionable insights into business performance and efficiency.
  • Provide financial training and guidance to non-financial managers to improve business acumen and financial literacy across the company.
  • Evaluate and manage relationships with external vendors, including auditors, tax advisors, and banking partners.
  • Participate in the negotiation of key contracts, providing financial analysis and insights to support favorable terms.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expertise in US GAAP / IFRS: Deep, authoritative knowledge of accounting principles and the ability to research and apply complex standards.
  • Financial Reporting & SEC Filings: Proven experience preparing comprehensive financial statements and, if applicable, 10-K/10-Q filings.
  • ERP System Proficiency: Hands-on experience with major ERP systems such as NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics 365.
  • Advanced Microsoft Excel: Mastery of complex formulas, pivot tables, data modeling, and financial analysis functions.
  • Internal Controls (SOX): Strong understanding and practical experience in designing, implementing, and testing internal controls.
  • Budgeting & Forecasting: Skill in building and managing complex financial models for annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and long-range planning.
  • Tax Compliance: Solid working knowledge of corporate federal and state income tax regulations and compliance requirements.

Soft Skills

  • Leadership & Team Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and motivate an accounting team to achieve excellence.
  • Strategic & Critical Thinking: Ability to see the big picture, analyze complex situations, and provide insightful, data-driven recommendations.
  • Exceptional Communication: Superior ability to articulate complex financial information clearly and concisely to both finance and non-finance audiences.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough, with a commitment to accuracy and integrity in all financial data and reporting.
  • Problem-Solving Acumen: Proactive in identifying issues, performing root cause analysis, and implementing effective solutions.
  • Business Acumen: Strong understanding of business operations and the key drivers of profitability and growth.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) or Master's in Accounting (MAcc).
  • Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation is strongly preferred.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 8-15+ years of progressive accounting experience.

Preferred:

  • A combination of experience in public accounting ("Big 4" is a plus) and in a corporate accounting environment.
  • Experience in a fast-growing, dynamic industry (e.g., SaaS, technology, manufacturing).
  • Proven track record of scaling an accounting function, including implementing new systems and processes.
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