What are the responsibilities and job description for the North America Controller position at Dwyer Instruments Inc?
Chicago, IL
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Location: Flexible within North America
Hybrid role with periodic travel to manufacturing sites (20–30%)
Role Overview
The North America Controller is responsible for all accounting, close, financial reporting, internal controls, and balance sheet management for North American operations, including multiple manufacturing sites. This role ensures accurate, timely, and compliant financial statements while driving consistency, discipline, and strong internal controls across a complex, multi-entity manufacturing environment.
The position has primary ownership of accounting execution and governance for North America and works closely with Corporate Finance, Tax, and Operations Finance. While this role supports manufacturing accounting and cost accounting rigor, day-to-day operational finance partnering is handled by a separate Operations Finance organization.
Key Responsibilities – Accounting & Close Ownership
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process for all North American entities
- Ensure timely and accurate preparation of P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements
- Establish and enforce standardized close calendars, procedures, and documentation across sites
- Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, and financial statements
- Ensure consistent application of accounting policies across all North American manufacturing locations
- Key Responsibilities – Balance Sheet & Technical Accounting
- Full ownership of balance sheet integrity including inventory, fixed assets, accruals, reserves, and intercompany balances
- Ensure high-quality account reconciliations with clear support and timely resolution of issues
- Serve as the primary technical accounting resource for North America under US GAAP
- Partner with Corporate Accounting on complex accounting matters and new standards
Key Responsibilities – Manufacturing & Cost Accounting Oversight
- Oversee cost accounting processes including standard costing, inventory valuation, and absorption accounting
- Ensure governance around BOMs, routings, labor rates, and overhead rates
- Drive consistency in inventory controls, cycle counts, and physical inventories
- Work with Plant Controllers and Operations Finance to ensure cost accounting accuracy
Key Responsibilities – Internal Controls, Audit & Compliance
- Own internal controls over financial reporting (SOX or SOX-like)
- Lead external audit activities and PBC coordination
- Support tax, statutory, and regulatory compliance
- Identify control gaps and lead remediation efforts
Leadership & Systems
- Lead and develop Plant Controllers and accounting teams
- Drive standardization of accounting processes and documentation
- Ensure accounting data integrity within ERP systems
- Lead accounting aspects of ERP implementations and system upgrades
Requirements
Qualifications
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
- CPA or equivalent certification
- 10 years of progressive accounting experience in multi-site manufacturing
- Strong knowledge of US GAAP and cost accounting
Preferred:
- Experience in PE-backed or fast-growing environments
- ERP implementation experience
- M&A integration experience
Salary Description
230,000