Assistant Controller

Company Description

Ride Designs is a leading provider of wheelchair seating systems that focus on protecting skin, enhancing mobility, improving function, and optimizing posture. Founded by Joe Bieganek, Orthotist, ATP, and Tom Hetzel, Physical Therapist, ATP, Ride Designs products are internationally recognized for managing a wide range of seating issues for all ages. Their products include the Ride Custom Cushion and Back, Java Cushion and Back, Forward Cushion, and more.

Role Description

We are seeking a detail-oriented and experienced Assistant Controller to join our finance team at Sunrise Medical supporting all financial operations of Ride Designs, a manufacturing subsidiary within the North American business unit. The Assistant Controller will oversee all core accounting functions, manage financial reporting, manage AP/AR, and support business operations for Ride Designs. The position also requires coordination of international group reporting requirements to ensure alignment with corporate policies and deadlines.

PRINCIPAL JOB DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Financial Reporting & Compliance:

• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in compliance with IFRS/GAAP and corporate policies and deadlines.
• Prepare the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end closing processes, ensuring accuracy in financial statements.
• Prepare and review consolidated financial statements for submission to corporate, including loading monthly trial balance from Business Central to JDE (P&L, Balance Sheet & Cash Flow).
• Responsible for preparing & overseeing the reconciliation of all Ride Designs balance sheet accounts and timely clearance of unreconcilable differences including regular review with Group Finance.
• Responsible for coordination of all finance related manufacturing operations activities for Ride Designs. 
• Assist in audit preparation (internal and external) and respond to audit inquiries, including annual physical inventory counts.
• Maintain compliance with tax regulations, including sales tax, VAT, and other international tax considerations.
• Ensure compliance with corporate intercompany transactions and transfer pricing policies.

Integration & Process Improvement:

• Support the financial aspects of systems integration from the legacy systems, Microsoft Dynamics Business Central, to Sunrise systems, JDE/Hyperion, while aligning reporting, controls, and policies with corporate standards.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency in accounting operations.

Operational Accounting & Team Leadership:

• Supervise and mentor a team of 2-3 accounting professionals handling AR, AP, and general ledger functions.
• Oversee accounts receivable and accounts payable processes, ensuring accuracy and timely collection/payment.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, working closely with corporate finance to optimize working capital.
• Provide financial oversight for inventory valuation, cost accounting, and fixed asset management.
• Collaborate with supply chain and operations teams to analyze cost structures and identify opportunities for cost savings.

Budgeting & Financial Analysis:

• Lead budgeting and forecasting process for Ride Designs, ensuring alignment with corporate financial planning.
• Conduct financial analysis to provide actionable insights into business performance and support strategic decision-making.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND EXPERIENCE: 

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance. Previous work experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• BS or equivalent experience in accounting or related field required. CPA or CMA strongly preferred.           
• Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a team.
• Solid experience with Profit and Loss Statements, Financial Forecasts, Budgeting, Inventory and Standard Costs.
• Strong familiarity with manufacturing operations and interrelationships among functional areas.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.
• Proficient in Microsoft office products with advanced Excel skills.
• Proficient in financial enterprise systems/software; MS Dynamics Business Central, preferred; JDE, HFM and TM1, also a plus.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with corporate finance, operations, and executive leadership

COMPETENCIES:

• Analytical Thinking – Approaching a problem by using a logical, systematic, sequential approach.
• Technical Expertise – Depth of knowledge and skill in a technical area.
• Results Orientation – Focusing on the desired result of one’s own or one’s unit’s work; setting challenging goals, focusing effort on the goals, and meeting or exceeding them.
• Initiative – Identifying what needs to be done and doing it before being asked to or required by the situation.
• Fostering Teamwork – As a team member, the ability and desire to work cooperatively with others on a team; as a team leader, interest, skill, and success in getting groups to learn to work together cooperatively.
• Empowering Others – Conveying confidence in employees’ ability to be successful, allowing employees the freedom to decide how they will accomplish their goals and resolve issues.
• Attention to Communication – Ensuring that information is passed on to others who should be kept informed.
• Personal Credibility – Demonstrated concern that one be perceived as responsible, dependable and trustworthy.
• Flexibility – Openness to different and new ways of doing things; willingness to modify one’s preferred way of doing things.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Deductive Reasoning – The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Flexibility of Closure – The ability to identify or detect a known pattern that is hidden in other distracting material.
• Inductive Reasoning – The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Information Ordering – The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules.
• Mathematical Reasoning – The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Oral Comprehension – The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Perceptual Speed – The ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other.
• Problem Sensitivity – The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Selective Attention – The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Written Comprehension – The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Written Expression – The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Lift Strength – The ability to lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
• Attendance - Regular attendance is required.
• Overtime - Must be able to work overtime, as required.