Controller

Wow Bao•Chicago, IL

About The Position

Wow Bao is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, and compliance for its fast-growing, multi-channel CPG and food manufacturing business. The Controller owns the integrity of the books and a disciplined close, protects liquidity and working capital, and delivers accurate, timely reporting. The role also partners with operations and commercial leaders on inventory, cost accounting, and trade spend, and supports forecasting, budgeting, and performance reporting across business channels. Deep CPG and/or food manufacturing experience is essential. The Controller reports directly to the VP of Finance. Wow Bao is an omni-channel Asian food brand operating across restaurants, airports, virtual kitchens, universities, retail, foodservice, and corporate operations. The company describes itself as a fast-growing, innovative brand with an entrepreneurial culture and a people-first culture emphasizing kindness, empathy, respect, humor, accountability, and collaboration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
CPA required.
Five to seven years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with the majority of experience in accounting and two to three years as a Controller.
At least two years of accounting experience in CPG, food and beverage, manufacturing, and/or multi-unit retail.
Demonstrated ownership of the full accounting cycle and monthly close, including general ledger, reconciliations, and issuance of accurate financial statements.
Hands-on experience with cash management and working capital, including cash forecasting and oversight of AP/AR processes.
Experience establishing or maintaining internal controls and leading the external audit process from the company side.
Experience with inventory accounting and cost accounting in a manufacturing or CPG environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience with large retail partners such as Walmart, Target, Costco, Kroger, or regional grocery chains.
Advanced proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Excel.
Experience managing retail deductions, trade spend, rebates, chargebacks, and gross-to-net revenue accounting.

Responsibilities

Own the full accounting cycle and general ledger, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and flux analysis.
Lead the monthly close and establish and run a close calendar that delivers timely, decision-ready financial statements.
Prepare and review GAAP financial statements and management reporting packages for accuracy, completeness, and clarity.
Coordinate the annual external audit, including PBC schedules, auditor requests, and remediation of findings.
Coordinate tax compliance and filings with external advisors, including income, sales and use, and other applicable taxes.
Establish and maintain internal controls appropriate to company size, with clear documentation and compensating controls where the team is lean.
Own cash management, including bank reconciliations, payment controls, and short-term cash visibility.
Maintain a rolling cash forecast, such as a 13-week forecast, and partner with leadership on liquidity and working-capital priorities.
Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes, including payment runs, collections cadence, and credit and collections risk.
Monitor working-capital drivers, including receivables, inventory, and payables.
Own inventory accounting, valuation, reserves, and obsolescence analysis across raw materials, work in progress, and finished goods.
Lead cost accounting processes and margin analysis; partner with operations to understand and improve manufacturing and distribution costs.
Partner with the plant accountant and operations leadership on inventory accuracy, physical and cycle counts, cost variances, and plant reporting into the corporate books.
Support pricing and margin decisions with clear cost and channel economics in partnership with commercial and operations leaders.
Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team; set clear goals, close ownership, and coverage plans.
Strengthen systems and processes, including close checklists and inventory and cost workflows, to improve accuracy, speed, and control.
Foster a culture of care, accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional partnership.
Oversee accounting and reporting for retailer discounts, promotional allowances, rebates, scan-downs, chargebacks, slotting, co-op, and related trade programs.
Review and validate retailer deductions, claims, and payment discrepancies; drive root-cause resolution with commercial teams and customers as needed.
Implement and maintain controls around customer contracts, pricing agreements, and promotional funding commitments.
Improve visibility and forecasting of trade investment and net revenue by channel and customer.
Lead the annual operating budget and ongoing forecasting process in partnership with the VP of Finance.
Prepare monthly financial reporting packages for the Board of Directors and investors, including performance versus plan, cash, and key risks and opportunities.
Prepare regular management reporting, such as weekly flash and operational summaries, covering performance across business channels.
Build and maintain practical financial models and analyses to evaluate initiatives such as product launches and supply chain or cost actions.
Maintain strong working relationships with banking partners, auditors, and other external advisors.
Perform other duties as assigned.