Financial Controller

We are representing a prominent, established leader in the maritime and heavy industrial sector—a company with over a century of operational history. Due to an upcoming retirement, the organization is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to oversee all core accounting functions, and drive the modernization of their financial reporting systems.

Core Responsibilities

• Operational Accounting: Maintain hands-on management of A/R (Billing), A/P, Payroll, and G/L functions.
• Revenue Recognition: Lead financial reporting with a rigorous focus on percentage-of-completion accounting (ASC 606) for long-term project and construction-based revenue.
• Systems Modernization: Serve as the lead on a major initiative to migrate server-based timekeeping (TimeClock Plus) to a cloud-based environment; manage and optimize the job-costing ERP system (Microsoft Dynamics NAV/Sage Intacct).
• Audit & Compliance: Act as the primary lead for external auditors during annual financial statement audits; support parent-company tax preparation.
• Strategic Planning: Forecast regular cash flow, propose quarterly cash distributions, and provide detailed monthly/quarterly/annual financial analyses to executive leadership.
• Team Development: Hire, cross-train, and mentor an Assistant Controller to ensure seamless continuity of critical financial workflows.
• IT Collaboration: Provide augmenting support for IT infrastructure in conjunction with outside service providers.

Qualifications

• Credentials: CPA required. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
• Experience: 5–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including supervisory/management roles.
• Audit Background: 2–4 years of public accounting experience (audit preferred) is highly desirable to ensure rigor in internal controls.
• Industry Expertise: Proven working knowledge of revenue recognition standards for project-based accounting (percentage-of-completion is mandatory). Experience in maritime, shipbuilding, construction, or heavy industrial manufacturing is preferred.
• Technical Proficiency: Advanced Microsoft Excel skills. Experience with Microsoft Dynamics/NAV or Sage Intacct is strongly preferred.
• Soft Skills: A hands-on, "roll-up-your-sleeves" mindset with the ability to navigate a fast-paced environment. Excellent communicator with the ability to bridge the gap between finance and operational teams.

Why This Role?

• Stability: Join an organization with a 100 year legacy of operational excellence.
• Impact: Take full ownership of the finance function with a direct mandate to modernize systems and processes.
• Leadership: Play a critical role in shaping the future finance team and ensuring the long-term health of the organization’s financial reporting.