Corporate Controller
4 days ago
New Orleans
Job Description Purpose of the job: Hoist & Crane Service Group is seeking an experienced Corporate Controller to serve as the senior accounting leader of a $150M revenue, private equity-backed industrial services business operating across 30 branch locations. Reporting directly to the CFO and partnering closely with the FP&A Manager, the Corporate Controller owns the integrity of the general ledger, the monthly close process, financial reporting, internal controls, multi-state sales tax compliance, and all audit activity. This role leads a team of eight across general accounting, AP, AR, and payroll, and will play a central role in an active technology transformation agenda spanning sales tax automation, AP and AR workflow automation, and treasury management. This is a hands-on leadership role for an operator who takes pride in clean books, disciplined controls, and building scalable systems. Essential Functions/Responsibilities: Financial Close & Reporting -Own the monthly close process end-to-end with a target of Business Day 12; oversee journal entries, account reconciliations, intercompany eliminations, and the close checklist across the team. -Produce accurate, GAAP-compliant financial statements each period - income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement - and deliver to the CFO on schedule. -Partner with the FP&A Manager to ensure actual results are accurately loaded and explainable in management reporting packages delivered to the PE sponsor. -Maintain the integrity and organization of the general ledger; enforce consistent chart of accounts and cost center discipline across all 30 branch locations. -Ensure compliance with all regulatory reporting requirements and filing deadlines. Multi-State Sales Tax Compliance -Own sales tax compliance across all 30 branch locations, spanning multiple states and jurisdictions; ensure accurate, timely filing of all returns. -Lead the evaluation, selection, and implementation of a sales tax automation platform (e.g., Avalara, Vertex) to replace manual processes and scale with the branch footprint. -Manage nexus determinations, exemption certificate administration, and taxability analysis for services and equipment; stay current on legislative changes across active jurisdictions. -Serve as the primary point of contact for sales tax audits; coordinate with external advisors as needed. -Partner with operations and sales teams to ensure proper tax treatment is applied at the point of billing across all locations. Internal Controls & Process Improvement -Design, document, and maintain a robust internal control environment that safeguards company assets and ensures policy compliance across a 30-branch operating structure. -Establish and enforce month-end close checklists, standard operating procedures, and accounting policy documentation. -Continuously evaluate accounting processes; identify and drive improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability as the business grows. -Drive a culture of financial accountability and control-consciousness throughout the organization. Technology Transformation -Champion and project-manage the automation initiatives currently underway: sales tax, AP workflow automation, AR automation, and treasury management system implementation. -Define requirements, manage vendor relationships, coordinate with IT, and drive adoption across the finance team and impacted business units. -Identify additional opportunities to leverage technology to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy, and scale the accounting function without proportional headcount growth. -Evaluate and enhance the ERP environment to better support a multi-location, multi-entity structure. Accounts Payable & Accounts Receivable Oversight -Oversee the AP function (2 clerks): ensure timely and accurate vendor invoice processing, payment runs, and vendor reconciliations; enforce proper approval workflows and segregation of duties; lead the transition to AP automation. -Oversee the AR function (2 clerks): monitor customer billing, collections activity, DSO trends, and aging across all branches; lead the transition to AR automation and ensure revenue is recorded accurately and timely. -Provide weekly AR/AP visibility to the FP&A Manager to support cash flow forecasting and working capital planning Payroll Oversight. -Provide oversight and direction to the Payroll Manager; ensure payroll is processed accurately, on time, and in compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations across 30 locations. -Review and approve payroll journal entries and reconciliations; ensure payroll-related liabilities are properly accrued and reported on the balance sheet. -Partner with HR on compensation changes, new hire onboarding, and benefits accounting to ensure accurate and timely recording. Cash & Treasury Management -Manage daily cash positioning and produce weekly cash flow forecasts to ensure adequate liquidity for operations and capital needs. -Lead the implementation of a treasury management system to automate cash visibility, bank reconciliations, and intercompany funding across the branch network. -Coordinate with the FP&A Manager on working capital targets and cash flow planning. Audit, Tax & External Compliance -Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors during annual audits and interim reviews; coordinate all deliverables and ensure timely, clean completion. -Manage relationships with external tax advisors; oversee income tax compliance across all jurisdictions and coordinate on tax strategy as directed by the CFO. -Ensure timely filing of all income tax returns, sales/use tax returns, and other statutory obligations. M&A & Transaction Support -Support financial due diligence for add-on acquisitions, including preparation of supporting schedules and coordination of financial data requests. -Lead accounting integration of acquired entities, including chart of accounts alignment, ERP and sales tax system onboarding, and opening balance sheet review. -Assist the CFO with exit preparation activities, including normalization adjustments and data room financial file organization. Team Leadership & Development -Lead, develop, and retain a team of 8 accounting professionals across senior accounting, staff accounting, AP, AR, and payroll; set clear expectations, conduct regular performance reviews, and create professional growth opportunities. -Serve as a player-coach where needed - willing to get hands-on with complex reconciliations, technical accounting issues, or system implementation work while maintaining strategic oversight of the team. -Foster a culture of urgency, accuracy, and continuous improvement within the accounting function. Qualifications: • Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or relevant field., • 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years as a Controller or Assistant Controller., • Prior experience managing a multi-function accounting team spanning general accounting, AP, AR, and/or payroll., • Demonstrated experience with multi-state sales tax compliance; working knowledge of nexus rules, exemption certificates, and multi-jurisdiction filing obligations., • Thorough command of GAAP, financial reporting standards, and regulatory requirements., • Experience in a private equity-backed, sponsor-owned, or similarly performance-driven business environment., • Demonstrated ability to manage a disciplined monthly close process and produce timely, accurate financial statements., • Strong knowledge of internal controls design and implementation in a multi-location environment., • Proven leadership and team-building skills with a track record of developing accounting professionals at multiple levels., • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience with mid-market ERP platforms (e.g., NetSuite, Sage Intacct, SAP, Microsoft Dynamics)., • Excellent communication skills; able to present financial information clearly to the CFO, operational leadership, and external parties. Preferred Qualifications: • CPA (active or inactive), • Public accounting experience (Big 4 or regional firm), • Hands-on experience implementing or managing a sales tax automation platform (e.g., Avalara, Vertex), • Experience leading or participating in finance technology implementations (AP automation, AR automation, treasury management systems), • Industry experience in field services, industrial services, or equipment; familiarity with job costing and service revenue recognition, • Experience supporting M&A financial due diligence or post-acquisition accounting integration, • Experience working alongside a dedicated FP&A function with clearly defined swim lanes, • MBA or Master's in Accounting or Finance The qualified candidate will be able to pass drug, alcohol, background, and motor vehicle check.