What are the responsibilities and job description for the Finance Controller position at Essex Brownell?
Position Overview
We are seeking a results-driven and collaborative Controller to lead the financial strategy and operations across North America, including the U.S. and Mexico. This director-level role is critical to ensuring financial integrity, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment across the Essex Brownell business unit.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this position will oversee general accounting, accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), and cost accounting teams, with a focus on driving performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.
We are seeking a results-driven and collaborative Controller to lead the financial strategy and operations across North America, including the U.S. and Mexico. This director-level role is critical to ensuring financial integrity, operational efficiency, and strategic alignment across the Essex Brownell business unit.
Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, this position will oversee general accounting, accounts payable (AP), accounts receivable (AR), and cost accounting teams, with a focus on driving performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Lead regional finance strategy in partnership with the CFO and leadership team
- ERP/digital initiatives (QADA & OneStream)
- Oversee accounting, AP/AR, and cost accounting
- Manage financial reporting of US GAAP and IFRS
- Ensure accurate and timely close processes
- Partner with operations on cost accounting, inventory, and capital investments
- Drive cost control, margin improvement, and process efficiency
- Maintain internal controls and support audits
- Standardize financial practices across regions
- Support tax and treasury
- Lead and develop a multi-site finance team
- Strong financial and strategic leadership
- Expertise in manufacturing finance and cost accounting
- Ability to influence senior leaders and work cross-functionally
- Strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills
- Proven ability to lead teams in a fast-paced environment
- ERP systems experience (QADA, OneStream or similar)
- Advanced Excel and financial reporting tools
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance (CPA/MBA preferred)
- 10 years accounting experience; 5 years in leadership
- Extensive experience with cost accounting methods and analysis
- Manufacturing and multi-country experience preferred
- Strong understanding of IFRS standards and financial reporting
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
A review of this position has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent(s) will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities.