Vice President, Corporate Controller

Vice President, Corporate Controller

JK Executive Strategies has partnered with a well-known publicly traded corporation headquartered in Rochester, NY in its search for its next VP Corporate Controller. Reporting directly to the CFO, the Corporate Controller is responsible for leading the finance organization through its next stage of growth and evolution. This position oversees FP&A, Accounting & Reporting, Internal Audit, Tax and Treasury/Cash Management. This individual will provide guidance to other financial leaders of the organization and ensure all financial responsibilities of the organization are working efficiently and effectively. This position will play a key role in evolving and executing the Company’s Financial Plan and will also support the preparation and planning of deliverables for M&A.

Our client is in search of a financial leader who has the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of the organization; successfully partner with the field senior leadership and field financial team members; execute compliance and develop protocols which will reduce overall risk and exposure to the organization. Supervising a team of over 100 financial and accounting professionals throughout the organization and a third-party service provider, this individual must be able to adapt and lead a continually evolving environment and thrive in a deadline-oriented workplace!

Position Overview:

The VP Corporate Controller is a key role in helping to drive the organization to achieve strategic and plan objectives. This individual will be responsible for leading all aspects of the company’s finance activities, including FP&A, Accounting & Reporting, Internal Audit, Tax and Treasury/Cash Management. This position leads and manages all company compliance, consolidation and reporting to provide financial information to the company on an accurate and timely basis. This leadership position requires a detail-oriented professional with excellent analytical, planning, evaluation, and implementation skills. The VP Corporate Controller will also establish and implement policies and procedures to identify, resolve, and document accounting issues in addition to providing direction and strategic support to make the reporting processes more efficient and accurate.

This leader will drive a culture of continuous improvement in the finance function and support that culture at all retail locations, providing assistance and direction as required to improve effectiveness and overall performance. The VP Corporate Controller will also lead, train, and develop a finance and accounting team to ensure current and future leadership of the financial function.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

• Enhance financial reporting systems and processes to produce accurate and timely financial statements, management reports and analysis, budgets and projections for internal business leaders, the Board and Shareholders.
• Assist in the analysis of working capital, cash flow, cost controls, and expenses to guide business leaders.
• Assist CFO with lender relationships.
• Provide support to CFO for due diligence and deliverables related to M&A activity.
• Ensure that finance/accounting department operates efficiently and effectively via benchmarking and monitoring of quality and productivity trends.
• Stay up to date on new trends and products that could be recommended to improve systems in finance, accounting and Treasury.
• Oversee preparation of corporate tax provisions and returns.
• Direct and oversee the financial reporting cycle including monthly, quarterly and annual requirements.
• Collaborate with the CFO to analyze and recommend improvements to financial performance, financial reporting and accounting policy.
• Oversee relationship with external auditors.
• Responsible for oversight of management's SOX 404 compliance program, working with Internal Audit Director and IT staff. Reports to executive officers and audit committee on internal Audit activities and SOX compliance.
• Oversee the operations of the accounting department, including the design of an organizational structure adequate for achieving the department's goals and objectives.
• Work with the CFO to complete periodic accounting staff planning, reviews and training.
• Work with CFO and accounting managers, interface regularly with external auditors.
• Assist with due diligence and transaction structuring related to acquisitions and related opening balance sheet audits, settlements and purchase accounting.
• Manage team in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in accounting or finance and a minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance as a Financial leader, including supervisory and management experience.
• CPA or MBA strongly preferred.
• 10 years’ experience in transformational leadership role.
• Experience in the retail industry or multi-unit/location experience strongly preferred.
• Experience managing a large team through transformational change.
• Advanced level of proficiency with Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Driven to perform and achieve business objectives.
• Experienced working with executive management group – strong organizational, interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects.
• Proven problem solving, analytical, troubleshooting and time-management skills.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret financial reports, legal documents, general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from top management, groups of managers, subordinates, clients, etc.
• Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills; has ability to convey a clear and concise thought.
• Ability to problem solve by using a logical, systematic and sequential approach.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Ability to read an interpret documents with regards to policies, procedures and financial related documents.

Salary Range: $180k – 210k

JK Executive Strategies is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of JK Executive Strategies to provide equal opportunity in employment and conditions of employment to all individuals regardless of age, race, color, religious beliefs, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, veteran or military status, disability, pregnancy-related condition, predisposing genetic characteristics, genetic information, marital status, familial status, prior arrest, domestic violence victim status, non-job related convictions, participation in lawful activities outside of our workplace, or any other status protected by law.