Accounting Controller

Job description

Ready to make an impact in the world and do what you were born to do?

We know that you have dreams, goals, and passions that set your soul on fire. You are on this earth for a reason.

At Hadley Designs, we make filling customers’ lives with beautiful and inspiring things easy. With hundreds of products to choose from, we help our customers create a beautiful and inspiring environment to help them become their best selves.

That’s where you come in as our Accounting Controller.

Come help us achieve the next pinnacle in our growth plan!

KPIs:

Month-End Close – Timely Completion of Financial Reporting

• Definition: Complete monthly financial close processes, ensuring all reconciliations and reports are finalized no later than the 20th of the following month.
• Measurement: Deliver financial statements (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow) no later than the 20th of each month, achieving 100% on-time delivery.

Financial Accuracy – Zero Material Errors

• Definition: Ensure all financial reports are accurate and free of material errors, aligning with GAAP standards.
• Measurement: Zero material errors identified during internal reviews or external audits.

Cash Flow Management – Maintain Operating Reserves

• Definition: Maintain Cash Flow Spreadsheet to ensure we have enough cash on hand to support future supplier and contractor invoice payments

• Measurement:

  • ≤ 5% variance between forecasted and actual cash flow on a rolling 12-month basis.
  • Cash flow projections have a 12 month advanced forecast at all times with all P.O.’s plotted on the spreadsheet BEFORE the P.O. has been placed.

Accounts Payable/Receivable – Optimize Payment and Collection Timeliness

• Definition: Maintain our integrity as a business by ensuring timely payments to vendors and collections from customers.
• Measurement: 100% of supplier payments made on time

Audit Compliance – Achieve Clean Audit Reports

• Definition: Ensure full compliance with regulatory and accounting standards, avoiding significant findings during audits.
• Measurement: 100% of audits completed with no major findings or compliance issues.

Expense Reduction – Identify and Execute Cost-Saving Opportunities

• Definition: Identify and implement cost-saving measures to reduce operational expenses by $50,000 annually without compromising quality.
• Measurement: Track and validate cost savings, achieving a minimum of $50,000 savings per year.

What does success look like?

A successful Accounting Controller at Hadley Designs ensures the company’s books are closed accurately and on time every month, with zero material errors and full compliance with accounting standards. Success means building reliable processes for payables, receivables, reconciliations, and payroll that run smoothly without executive intervention. They deliver financial statements that tie out to the penny, maintain organized records for audit readiness, and support clear visibility into cash position and expenses.

This role is execution-first: the Controller owns the daily, weekly, and monthly accounting rhythms that keep the financial engine running. Success is measured by consistency, timeliness, and accuracy—ensuring the Director of Finance and leadership team can rely on clean data to drive decisions. By keeping the numbers precise, the Accounting Controller provides the foundation for strategic finance while eliminating surprises, delays, or compliance risks.

ONE THING: Provide accurate, timely financial reporting that supports sound business decisions while ensuring compliance and optimizing cash flow visibility.

Primary Objectives 20% BIG ROCKS – These must be done first and at all costs.

Month-End and Year-End Close:

• Ensure all financial statements are accurate and delivered within 10 days.
• Reconcile all key accounts, including cash, accounts receivable/payable, and inventory.

Cash Flow and Financial Planning:

• Create rolling 12-month forecasts updated monthly to guide leadership decisions.
• Monitor and adjust capital allocations to meet company growth initiatives.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Assist with the annual budgeting process, collaborating with department heads to align on goals.
• Track variances monthly, providing actionable insights to reduce overspending.

Regulatory and Tax Compliance:

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Manage sales tax filings and audit preparation, proactively addressing risks.

Process Improvement  and Optimization:

• Implement new software tools to improve accuracy and process scalability.
• Develop automated processes for payroll, expense reporting, and tax filings.

Regular Work Activities 80% – These must be done ongoing daily/weekly after the BIG ROCKS are complete.

1. Accounts Receivable and Payable: Manage invoicing, collections, and vendor payments to maintain strong cash flow and ensure all transactions are reconciled accurately and on time.
2. Inventory and Cost of Goods Management: Reconcile inventory balances regularly and collaborate with the operations team to streamline inventory processes. Provide SKU-level profitability insights to guide decision-making.
3. Cost Management: Analyze operational expenses monthly to identify and execute cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality. Work closely with department heads to optimize spending and improve EBITDA.
4. Payroll and Benefits Administration: Oversee payroll processing and employee reimbursement to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with legal requirements.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with leadership and departmental teams, including Supply Chain and Product Development, to analyze financial impact, support strategic initiatives, and drive company growth.
6. Strategic Insights and Decision Support: Prepare actionable financial analyses and recommendations for leadership, aiding in major decisions such as capital investments, new initiatives, and resource allocations.

Key Skills – What behavioral traits, attitudes, and skills are required?

• Detail Orientation: Demonstrates exceptional attention to detail, ensuring all financial data and reporting is accurate and reliable.
• Compliance and Regulatory Knowledge: Maintains a deep understanding of GAAP, tax regulations, and audit standards to ensure full compliance and risk mitigation.
• Analytical Expertise: Utilizes advanced analytical skills to interpret financial data, identify trends, and provide actionable insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Process Optimization: Proactively identifies opportunities to streamline workflows, improve efficiency, and implement scalable financial systems.
• Strategic Focus: Aligns financial planning and reporting with the organization’s strategic goals, enabling data-driven decision-making and long-term success.
• Technology Proficiency: Leverages advanced tools such as Xero, QuickBooks, and Excel to optimize financial management and reporting processes.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Inspires, mentors, and leads teams while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Communication Excellence: Communicates complex financial concepts clearly and effectively to stakeholders across all levels of the organization.
• Adaptability: Thrives in dynamic environments, quickly adjusting to new challenges and evolving business needs while maintaining a high level of performance.
• Energy and Positivity: Consistently operates with enthusiasm and a positive attitude to motivate others and drive progress.

Role Requirements: Experience, Training, and Education– What prior work and life experience will help the person in this role succeed? (Education, industry-specific, sales, administrative, management, customer-service)

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA preferred).

• 5+ years in accounting with 2+ years in a leadership role.

• Proven track record in process improvement and cost savings.

• Experience in eCommerce or retail is a strong advantage.

• Remote-first work environment

• Flexible working hours (with core availability window)

• Paid time off (PTO)

• Paid holidays

• Access to courses, trainings, or a learning budget

• Access to company products

• Regular Interaction with CEO

• Established Company doing business for 10+ years

• Personal Development

• Autonomy of time and schedule