Assistant Controller

Job summary:

The Assistant Controller manages the day-to-day accounting processes, reporting, and Financial Shared Services areas, and supports the VP Corporate Finance & Controller with Treasury, Tax, and Risk Management responsibilities. The Assistant Controller will manage the monthly close process, ensure timely and accurate monthly reporting, prepare corporate and consolidated financial reporting, and support compliance with local and corporate reporting requirements and filings. This position will be responsible for maintaining accounting principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financial statements.

Primary responsibilities:

• Manages the timely, accurate, and actionable preparation and distribution of financial reports which effectively communicate the Company’s results, performance, and projections to internal and external stakeholders.
• Manages the day-to-day site accounting activities, including close cycle and consolidation activities. Ensures that accounting functions are effective, efficient, and adhere to strong internal controls.
• Support automated systems and manual procedures of accounting, auditing, and management control to ensure compliance with GAAP and external and management accounting requirements.
• Assist with technical accounting research, including analysis on impacts and implications of new and revised standards and implementation of new/revised accounting standards as appropriate.
• Oversee daily banking arrangements for the receipt and disbursement of monies within Company guidelines.
• Support federal, state, and local tax accounting and compliance. Recommend tax policies and procedures, and work with public accountants.
• Manage the activities and performance of the Corporate Accounting team.
  • Maintain a sound and efficient organizational structure for the performance of the team’s responsibilities.
  • Recommend necessary resource requirements and ensure proper segregation of duties.
  • Select and maintain qualified personnel, provide training and development as appropriate.
  • Establish annual goals and conduct quarterly performance check-ins for all direct reports.
• Participate in various cross-functional leadership teams as appropriate.

Required competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong process orientation; organized and detail-oriented; committed to procedures with focus on internal controls, operational excellence and process improvement.
• Proven ability to execute and deliver timely and accurate results in a team-based matrix environment; can be counted on to consistently meet or exceed goals successfully.
• Collaborative; ability to develop strong relationships and work cohesively and respectfully across different areas and with all levels of the organization to meet or exceed department and company goals.
• Experience with financial systems – accounting, planning and reporting software, preferably with Great Plains and Host Analytics
• Must have ability to work through obstacles and re-prioritize projects and activities based on the needs of the businesses.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills required.

Required certifications, licenses, education, and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of accounting, financial reporting, tax, and cash management or treasury experience in a fast-paced, growing environment required. Minimum of five years of management experience required. Mix of public and private company experience and public accounting are preferred. Experience managing Accounts Payable, Credit and Collections, and other shared services areas desired.
• Book publishing, Education, Media and/or Retail, International experience a plus.
• Strategic thinker who can identify, recommend, and implement practical, actionable ideas designed to improve the business year over year.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP); technical proficiency of current accounting principles and auditing standards
• Proven ability to quantify and present in an understandable manner the impact of decisions based on qualitative and quantitative financial analysis.
• Experience leading and developing teams with diverse backgrounds and skill sets.
• Must possess highest caliber of integrity and ethics.
• Excellent decision quality; sound judgement and values consistent with Company mission, vision, and values.

Preferred education, licenses, competencies, knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• CPA strongly preferred.

Physical demands and work environment:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer and/or phone.
• Visual acuity to accurately read small print in financial reports and other documents.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend, squat, stretch, kneel, reach, grasp, and pinch.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, gender, marital status, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetic information, medical condition, military/veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Incumbents will follow any other instructions or directions and will perform any other related duties, as assigned by their supervisor.