Controller

We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Controller to join our dynamic entertainment production company. The Controller will lead the company’s financial management functions with a strong focus on cost accounting, pricing accuracy, operational profitability, and implementation and oversight of an ERP system. This role is responsible for ensuring precise product costing, supporting real-time financial decision-making, and validating quotes for entertainment productions.

The Controller will work closely with the Vice President, COO, Project Managers, and Sales Managers to drive financial transparency, cost control, and margin protection across the company.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Create and periodically update standard costing models based on labor, material, equipment and overhead fluctuations.
• Analyze production costs and routing data to ensure accurate production costing.
• Monitor and manage inventory valuation, work-in-process (WIP), and finished products.
• Lead and ensure accuracy in cycle counts and physical inventory processes.
• Create and manage dashboards and tools to provide visibility into job costing, WIP tracking, and the quote-to-cash cycle.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and develop rolling forecasts in collaboration with each department.
• Provide detailed variance analysis between actuals and budget/forecast, including: labor efficiency, equipment usage, etc.
• Deliver actionable financial insights and performance reports to leadership.
• Oversee the financial validation of outgoing quotes, particularly for custom or high-value productions.
• Ensure all quotes accurately reflect current cost structures and align with defined gross margin thresholds.
• Analyze quoted jobs for financial viability; escalate any substandard margin quotes for leadership review.
• Enforce approval workflows for quotes exceeding defined dollar thresholds, requiring sign-off prior to release.
• Review equipment and labor assumptions in the quoting system to ensure alignment with operational realities and current cost data.
• Maintain proper documentation and audit traceability for all pricing decisions.
• Implement an ERP system and create, manage, and oversee the financial modules of the system, ensuring accurate integration between production, inventory, and finance.
• Collaborate with department heads to optimize ERP workflows and financial reporting capabilities.
• Provide real-time financial support to operations management to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve efficiency.
• Work cross-functionally with the Vice President, COO, Project Managers, and Sales Managers to support financial accuracy and integrity across all processes.
• Provide training and guidance to managers on cost awareness, quoting, and margin management.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong financial acumen, including budget administration, cost analysis, and accounting principles.
• Proficient in QuickBooks and in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience in financial modeling.
• In-depth knowledge of standard costing, inventory accounting, andWIP tracking.
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Familiarity with make-to-order or job shop manufacturing environments.
• Experience working with quoting or estimating teams from a finance perspective.
• High level of business acumen, professionalism, and ethical standards.
• Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and quality.
• Strong organizational and time management skills; ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to work both independently and collaboratively with cross-functional teams.

JOB TYPE: Full-time

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum five years of progressive experience in accounting or finance.
• At least there years of experience with a strong focus on: cost accounting, standard costing and job costing, inventory management and WIP tracking, and ERP systems implementation or usage.
• Experience supporting production, engineering, or estimating/quoting teams in a make-to-order, job shop, or custom manufacturing environment is highly preferred.
• Prior involvement in financial oversight of pricing, quoting, or estimating processes within a manufacturing business is preferred.

EDUCATION:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

JOB TYPE: Full-Time

WORK LOCATION:

• One Location

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit at a desk and work on a computer for prolonged periods of time; use hands, talk, hear and remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time. The employee is required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee must have the ability to verbally effectively communicate with staff. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. The employee must have the ability to stay alert and attentive at all times and operate a computer, phone and essential equipment as required. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

EMPLOYMENT

As a condition of employment with Light Action Productions, any successful job applicant will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, physical examination, and drug screening.

Light Action Productions is an Equal Opportunity Employer

ABOUT US:

Light Action Productions is a leading full-service production company specializing in theatrical lighting, staging, audio, video, outdoor roofing systems, and design. With over 30 years of established industry experience, our team offers production services and equipment with a broad range of the most cutting-edge technology.

Job Type: Full-time

Expected hours: 40 – 50 per week

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Experience:

• accounting or finance: 5 years (Required)
• cost accounting: 3 years (Required)
• QuickBooks: 2 years (Required)

Work Location: In person