Assistant Controller

PPLSI • Ada, MN

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under minimal supervision, the Assistant Controller serves as a key operational accounting leader responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and efficiency of the organization’s accounting operations and financial reporting processes. This role exists to support the organization’s financial stability, operational scalability, compliance with U.S. GAAP, and overall business performance through strong accounting governance, internal controls, and process optimization. The Assistant Controller exercises independent judgment and decision-making on matters of significance related to accounting operations, financial close activities, reconciliations, internal controls, audit readiness, and workflow improvements. This position plays a critical role in maintaining the accuracy of financial data, safeguarding company assets, mitigating financial and compliance risk, and ensuring the organization can effectively support continued growth and operational demands. This role leads and oversees core accounting functions and partners cross-functionally with Finance, Payroll, Procurement, and Operations to improve processes, strengthen operational efficiencies, and support enterprise-wide initiatives. The Assistant Controller is also responsible for mentoring and developing accounting staff while fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the department. Success in this role results in timely and accurate financial reporting, improved accounting operational efficiency, strengthened internal controls, enhanced audit readiness, and scalable accounting processes that support the organization’s strategic objectives. Without this position, the organization would face increased financial reporting risk, reduced operational effectiveness, control deficiencies, and challenges in maintaining compliance and supporting business growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required
• Minimum of 7+ years of progressive accounting experience required
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, accounting operations, and internal controls
• Experience with ERP systems and advanced Microsoft Excel skills required
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills

Nice To Haves

• CPA designation strongly preferred
• Prior leadership experience managing accounting teams preferred
• Experience with Workday ERP or similar enterprise accounting platforms preferred
• Experience working in multi-entity accounting environments preferred
• Experience supporting external audits and statutory reporting preferred
• Experience implementing accounting process improvements and automation initiatives preferred

Responsibilities

• Ensures the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes and related reporting.
• Lead and oversee the end-to-end month-end and year-end close process
• Review and ensure accuracy of journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations
• Monitor close timelines and coordinate cross-functional inputs to ensure deadlines are met
• Ensure integrity of the general ledger and balance sheet accounts
• Support preparation of internal financial reporting and analysis deliverables
• Identify and resolve close-related issues impacting accuracy or timeliness
• Provides leadership and governance over core accounting operations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and efficiency across transactional and operational accounting functions.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Treasury, Procurement, and General Ledger operations
• Ensure appropriate accounting treatment and compliance across all operational activities
• Review and monitor key accounting processes for accuracy and completeness
• Support resolution of escalated accounting issues and complex transactions
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and adherence to internal controls within operational workflows
• Maintains a strong internal control environment and ensures compliance with U.S. GAAP and external audit requirements.
• Develop, implement, and monitor internal controls over financial reporting and accounting operations
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP accounting standards
• Lead and support external audit requests, deliverables, and audit fieldwork
• Identify control gaps and recommend corrective actions or process enhancements
• Maintain documentation supporting accounting policies, procedures, and controls
• Drives continuous improvement initiatives focused on enhancing accounting efficiency, scalability, and automation.
• Identify and implement opportunities for accounting process improvements and standardization
• Support ERP system enhancements, upgrades, and optimization initiatives
• Partner with Finance and IT teams on automation of manual accounting processes
• Evaluate existing workflows and recommend changes to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Lead or support special projects related to accounting transformation initiatives
• Provides leadership, mentorship, and collaboration across the accounting team and broader organization to support business objectives.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting staff to strengthen technical and operational capability
• Set priorities and guide team workload to ensure successful execution of accounting deliverables
• Collaborate with Finance, Payroll, Procurement, and Operations teams to support business needs
• Provide guidance on accounting treatment for complex or non-routine transactions
• Foster a culture of accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement within the accounting function

Benefits

• PPLSI conforms to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities.
• We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, status as a protected veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
• We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any concerns, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any concerns or otherwise oppose discrimination.
• If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process, please contact Human Resources at: [email protected].
• PPLSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• PPLSI does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, non-disqualifying physical or mental disability, national origin, veteran status or any other basis covered by appropriate law.
• All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit, and business need.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level