Controller & Finance / Accounting Manager OR Fractional CFO

Company Description SleekEZ is a US-based company that specializes in high-quality pet grooming tools designed to keep pets clean, healthy, and looking their best. The company holds a patent for its unique SleekEZ “ORIGINAL” grooming tool, which offers a distinct design and grooming experience unlike other products on the market. SleekEZ focuses on creating tools that pets enjoy, helping caregivers maintain regular grooming routines with ease. The company’s commitment to innovative design and pet wellness makes it an engaging environment for individuals passionate about pets and consumer products.

About the Role

SleekEZ is seeking a highly capable, hands-on Controller & Finance / Accounting Manager to take ownership of the company's accounting, financial reporting, financial controls, and day-to-day financial management.

This is an important foundational role for the company. SleekEZ is growing, and we need to strengthen the financial infrastructure supporting that growth.

In the near term, this is also a very hands-on accounting role. The successful candidate should expect to personally own bookkeeping and accounting activities in QuickBooks, including meaningful cleanup and reconciliation of historical records. This is not a position for someone who only wants to review work prepared by others.

Over time, the role will evolve as the business grows and additional finance/accounting resources are added. 

NOTE: Open to a fractional CFO to create financial controls and reporting systems in the immediate term.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Bookkeeping

• Own SleekEZ's accounting processes and maintain accurate books and records in QuickBooks.
• Assess the current QuickBooks environment and lead the cleanup, reconciliation, and improvement of existing financial records.
• Perform and/or oversee transaction coding, journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and month-end adjustments.
• Manage accounts payable and accounts receivable processes.
• Reconcile bank accounts, credit cards, payment processors, e-commerce platforms, and other financial accounts.
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment of inventory, cost of goods sold, freight, vendor payments, sales, returns, fees, and other transactions.
• Maintain a disciplined and timely monthly close process.

Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Provide management with clear reporting on revenue, gross margin, operating expenses, profitability, cash flow, and working capital.
• Develop budgets, forecasts, and cash-flow projections.
• Analyze actual performance versus budget/forecast and clearly explain significant variances.
• Develop useful management reporting and financial KPIs to support better decision-making.
• Partner with the CEO and owner on financial planning and business decisions.

Financial Controls

• Establish and maintain appropriate internal financial controls for a growing company.
• Develop clear policies and procedures around purchasing, approvals, payments, expense management, cash management, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Identify control gaps and implement practical solutions that protect company assets without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Maintain appropriate segregation of duties as the organization grows.
• Help establish scalable accounting processes capable of supporting continued growth.

Tax, Compliance & External Partners

• Coordinate with external tax, legal, banking, insurance, payroll, and other professional partners as needed.
• Ensure timely completion of required tax filings, reporting, registrations, and financial compliance activities.
• Maintain organized documentation and records supporting financial transactions.
• Support year-end tax preparation and any future financial reviews or audits.

Required Qualifications

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license in good standing — required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline; advanced degree a plus.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and sound accounting principles.
• Significant hands-on accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Strong QuickBooks experience.
• Demonstrated ability to perform detailed accounting work personally—not simply supervise an accounting team.
• Experience with inventory accounting and cost of goods sold strongly preferred.
• Consumer products, e-commerce, retail, manufacturing, or distribution experience preferred.
• Strong Excel and financial-analysis skills.
• Experience developing or improving internal financial controls.
• High level of accuracy, integrity, confidentiality, and attention to detail.

The Person Who Will Thrive Here

You're comfortable operating at both 30,000 feet and three feet.

You can discuss cash flow, margins, forecasts, and financial strategy with the CEO—and then open QuickBooks and personally reconcile an account that doesn't tie.

You enjoy taking something that isn't as organized as it should be and making it accurate, disciplined, understandable, and scalable. You don't view cleanup work as beneath you; you see it as the foundation required to build a strong finance function.

As SleekEZ grows, we want this person to grow with us and help build the financial organization the company will need for its next stage.