Controller

GT'S Living Foods • Vernon, CA

2d • $200,000 - $250,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GT’s Living Foods is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead our accounting function. Reporting to the CFO, the Controller owns the general ledger, the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, and the accuracy of our US GAAP financial statements. The role also owns accounts receivable and deductions, accounts payable, payroll, balance sheet inventory accounting, tax compliance, the external audit, and the 13-week cash forecast. The Controller designs and enforces the controls and procedures that protect the Company's assets and ensure our accounting records are complete and accurate. This is a working Controller role for someone who still enjoys being close to the numbers. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting with deep experience in CPG receivables and trade deductions, including UNFI, KeHE, and major retailers, and knows how deductions flow through revenue, trade accruals, and the balance sheet. They lead a team that includes the AR & Deductions Manager and our Senior and Staff Accountants, and they are comfortable operating in a fast-moving, founder-led company.

Requirements

• 8–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in an Assistant Controller or Controller role at a CPG, food, or beverage manufacturer.
• Deep, hands-on experience with CPG accounts receivable and trade deductions, including UNFI, KeHE, and major retailers, and the related trade accrual accounting.
• Strong command of US GAAP, including revenue recognition, trade spend, inventory, and accruals.
• Experience with manufacturing accounting, including inventory accounting, reserves, and physical counts.
• Proven ownership of the month-end close and financial statement preparation, and experience managing an external audit.
• Experience designing and running internal controls.
• Experience leading and developing an accounting team, with the ability to coach the team to results.
• Superior Excel skills and advanced working knowledge of ERP systems.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• A hands-on leader who is comfortable reviewing the details and doing the work alongside the team when needed.
• Able to multitask and meet multiple, simultaneous deadlines in a fast-paced, sometimes pressured environment.
• Strong organizational skills, sound prioritization, and meticulous attention to detail.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, and effective with Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, and other departments.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a genuine team player.
• Successfully navigates a founder-led culture: adaptable, resilient, and able to balance speed with control.

Nice To Haves

• CPA
• Public accounting experience early in career.
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365.
• Experience with a deduction management platform (Confido, HighRadius, or similar).
• Experience in a founder-led or private equity–backed company.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, delivering timely and accurate financial statements under US GAAP.
• Maintain a well-organized general ledger and chart of accounts. Review and approve journal entries, accruals, and allocations, including overhead allocations.
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly, reviewed, and supported, across all locations.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and management reporting, and analyze results against budget and prior year with clear explanations of variances.
• Support investor and lender reporting, including covenant compliance, as required.
• Maintain an organized, audit-ready accounting filing and documentation system.
• Lead the AR & Deductions Manager and hold the AR function accountable for DSO, collections, deduction recovery, and deduction aging.
• Bring hands-on expertise in CPG trade deductions (distributor chargebacks and MCBs, billbacks, off-invoice, slotting, spoils, shortages, and retailer compliance fines) to guide dispute strategy and resolve complex issues with UNFI, KeHE, and major retailers.
• Own the accounting for deductions and trade: deduction reserves, trade accruals, and their reconciliation, in partnership with RGM, which owns trade planning and spend strategy.
• Oversee the credit policy, credit limits, write-off approvals, and the bad debt reserve.
• Sponsor the implementation of the deduction management platform (Confido or similar) and ensure it is integrated with D365 and properly controlled.
• Own inventory on the balance sheet, including inventory reconciliations across locations, inventory reserves (obsolescence, shrink, and expiry), and physical and cycle count processes and controls.
• Partner with Operations Finance, which owns standard costing and COGS analysis, to ensure inventory and cost of goods are accurately reflected in the financial statements.
• Support the Assistant Controller to oversee accounts payable, including vendor setup, invoice approval, payment runs, and the related controls.
• Oversee payroll processing and payroll accounting in partnership with HR and the payroll provider, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Support the Assistant Controller to oversee daily banking, cash activity, and bank reconciliations.
• Support the Assistant Controller to deliver the 13-week cash forecast. Deliver a weekly view of cash receipts, disbursements, and liquidity to the CFO, and explain variances against the prior forecast.
• Design, implement, and maintain a strong internal control environment, including segregation of duties, approval matrices, and review controls, built to SOX-level standards.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, the close checklist, and SOPs across the accounting function.
• Evaluate and improve processes to protect the Company's assets, reduce costs, and improve the quality and timeliness of information.
• Manage the annual external audit, serving as the primary point of contact for auditors and delivering clean, timely audit support.
• Direct tax compliance in partnership with outside tax advisors, including income, sales and use, property, and other filings. Support tax planning as requested.
• Get the most out of Microsoft Dynamics 365 for accounting, and lead improvements to close efficiency, automation, and reporting.
• Partner with FP&A to provide timely, accurate actuals and close inputs for forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis.
• Lead, develop, and manage the performance of the accounting team, including the AR & Deductions Manager and Senior and Staff Accountants.
• Make meaningful time investments in selecting, training, and developing the team, with clear roles, goals, and accountability.
• Build a team and a close process that scales as the Company grows.

Benefits

• Health Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life
• 401K with Matching
• Employee Assistance Program
• Discounts on the amazing GT’s product line (available for onsite pickup)
• Corporate Discounts with our partners through LifeMart (Concert & sporting event tickets, cell phone service, gifts, restaurants, hotels, gyms, childcare, and more!)

What This Job Offers

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