Controller

Company Description The Recreational Group designs, manufactures, and installs premier surfacing solutions that support healthy, active lifestyles across athletic, golf, and recreational spaces. Its products are chosen by top athletic facilities, elite golfers, and innovative landscape professionals who demand high performance and durability. The company is recognized for highly trained, specialized staff who are considered experts in the surfacing industry. The Recreational Group operates a diverse portfolio of brands in the recreational space, including XGrass, VersaCourt, TourGreens, Swisstrax, CH3 Solutions, IceCourt, Duraflex Surfacing, Mulch Outfitters, and Lanmark Designs.

Role Description The Controller is a full-time, on-site role based in Dalton, GA, responsible for overseeing the company’s accounting operations and financial integrity. This role manages general ledger activities, monthly closes, and preparation of financial statements, while ensuring compliance with internal policies, GAAP, and relevant regulations. The Controller monitors budgets, cash flow, and financial performance, providing analysis and reporting to leadership to support strategic decision-making. Daily responsibilities include supervising accounting staff, reviewing reconciliations, managing accounts payable and receivable processes, coordinating audits, and improving financial systems and controls. The role collaborates with cross-functional teams to develop financial forecasts, implement process improvements, and support continued growth across the company’s brands.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Taking ownership of the month end close for local distribution division. This will include general ledger work and facilitating the month end close
• Creating various projections, forecasts, and board reporting for the local distribution division as a whole and providing support to the President of Local Distribution on an as needed basis. Examples of support needed would be scenario planning regarding new store openings, profit analysis on product lines and various other planning scenarios, including monitoring spending and improving financial performance. 
• Developing the budget for the local distribution division
• Conducting variance analysis on actual results versus budget and prior year, identifying key drivers and communicating findings to leadership
• Maintaining continuity of established financial processes, ensuring consistency and accuracy across reporting periods (e.g. bad debt, warranties, franchise credit processes)
• Calculating commissions for all local distribution employees, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established compensation plans across locations
• Supporting store conversions through financial analysis and monthly adjustments, ensuring accurate reporting of impact to the division's financials
• Led and mentor a staff accountant, overseeing journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations.
• Reconcile general ledger accounts and resolve discrepancies.

Responsible for additional duties and accountabilities that will be assigned as needed.

Required Skills/Abilities: 

• Excellent customer service and communication skills
• Organizational skills and attention to detail
• Time management with a proven ability to meet deadlines

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting or finance experience, with supervisory experience preferred
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting/ERP software required
• Knowledge of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) principles and processes is a plus

Physical Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer
• Ability to lift 15 pounds