Job Title: Controller
Department: Corporate
Reports to: CEO
Location: Baldwyn, MS
Date: 10/21/2024

Reporting to the CEO, The Corporate Controller will be an integral member of the organization and will support the organization with timely and accurate financial information, mentoring of all financial activities and responsibilities of each department and operating group, and proactively working with various functions as a valued business partner in understanding financial results and developing forecasts, departmental budgets and CEW’s AOP (Annual Operating Plan). This position will be responsible for leading the accounting team in the US as well as providing guidance to foreign accounting team members.

• Analyze the results of the cost system (are costs correct, are sales prices correct, etc.), supporting opportunities for profit improvement, making recommendations, and leading efforts to maximize results.
• Weekly reporting on sales outlook, production reports, variance analysis and other results. Identifying areas of concern and opportunity and making recommendations on improvements.
• Monthly reporting on final sales revenue, including calculating commissions according to the approved commission policy in effect for the month.
• Evaluate and record inventory valuation adjustments based on analysis of perpetual inventory system, sales price vs. cost comparisons and manufacturing variances. Work with plant and logistics teams to understand sources of variances and make group recommendations and action plans to reduce unfavorable variances and improve financial results.
• Ensure internal controls are designed and operating to prevent errors, fraud and omissions.
• Monitor and maintain the accounting system in ERP to ensure all transactions are appropriately recorded in the system.
• Perform or ensure all accounts are reconciled on a monthly/quarterly basis.
• Close the books within 5 working days, including initial income statement reports for the management reviews.
• Provide timely, complete information to management, the auditors, and other required audiences.
• Work with external auditors to ensure compliance.
• Financial accounting – month end journal entries, accruals, and valuation allowances.
• Financial statement preparation (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow) and analysis including adjusting to changing business needs.
• Reduce surprises – monitor financials through the month for early warning of cost/revenue surprises.
• Supervise accounting personnel.
• Serve as back up for other accounting functions as internal control measures allow.
• Support accounting close including journal entry and general ledger reconciliations.
• Work with CEW team and implement a new Annual Operating Plan.
• Implement and monitor the month, quarter, and year end close out accounting schedule.
• Maintain and update journal entry log and month end, physical inventory, and quarter check list.
• Support month-end and year end close process.
• Reconcile financial discrepancies by collecting and analyzing account information.
• Provide Covenant reporting and supporting bank transactions.
• Lead all tax related activities as needed (State, Federal, Sales and Use Taxes, and Other Tax related items).
• Provide forecast to management team (CEW, HRCO, and Lake City Bank).
• Support Mexico and other foreign entity activities as required.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING REQUIRED

• Active CPA license required. Experience working with audit firms, banking, and insurance partners. An understanding of standard product costing and overhead absorption impact.
• Experience with ERP systems (EPICOR, Oracle, SAP, Dynamics or similar – not QuickBooks) and Microsoft Suite.

YEARS OF EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• 3 or more years as a Corporate Controller in a manufacturing environment.

OTHER REQUIRED TRAINING:

• Must be a “hands on”, energetic, driven leader.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to team members and lead teams / projects.
• Ability to relate financial information to non-financial personnel in a meaningful way.
• Proactively work with other members in the business to drive results.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.

CEW provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. Our culture is one that provides opportunities for employee involvement, growth, and development.