Controller

Wantable • Milwaukee, WI

19d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller is a strategic leadership role responsible for running Wantable’s accounting function and leading its finance team. Working closely with the executive team, the Controller will build scalable financial processes, deploy automation and AI across finance and operations, and support the company’s growth. The position is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a hybrid work arrangement, and reports to the Chief Executive Officer with a dotted line to the Chief Administrative Officer.

The role oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, cash flow forecasting, operational finance, controls, and external accounting relationships. It partners across operations, merchandising, fulfillment, technology, and leadership to provide actionable insights, and works with a fractional CFO on onboarding and selected projects. The Controller is also expected to implement and measure process improvements, automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools that improve efficiency, accuracy, and decision-making. The role offers scope to take on higher-level finance responsibilities over time.

Requirements

• Progressive accounting and finance experience, including hands-on experience running the accounting function as a Controller or in a similar senior role.
• Experience in the accounting and finance functions of an e-commerce, retail, apparel, or other inventory-intensive business.
• Experience managing month-end close, audits, budgeting and forecasting, and cash flow reporting.
• Deep knowledge of GAAP accounting and financial reporting best practices, including inventory, returns, reserves, fulfillment costs, and sales taxes.
• Demonstrated record of leading process improvements that delivered measurable efficiency gains, such as a shortened close, reduced manual effort, or improved reporting accuracy.
• Experience succeeding in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, high-volume, technology-integrated environment.
• Organized, collaborative, hands-on, proactive, and solutions-oriented approach to teamwork.
• Hands-on experience using AI tools and building automations to improve operational efficiency, streamline processes, and support decision-making.
• Curiosity and willingness to research and explore new tools.
• Growth mindset and interest in taking on higher-level finance work over time, including budgeting and FP&A, cash and working capital management, and lender and leadership reporting.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in manufacturing or environments with internally developed product lines.
• Comfort working with proprietary software platforms, including scripting or low-code/no-code automation tools.
• QuickBooks experience and training.
• CPA license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, inventory, cost of goods sold and sales accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, including the Finance Manager.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial reporting in accordance with internal accounting requirements, GAAP, and tax requirements.
• Maintain and improve cash flow forecasting.
• Monitor and provide insights on inventory, reserves, returns, fulfillment costs, and margin performance.
• Work with the engineering team to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data in Wantable’s proprietary commerce and inventory platform.
• Strengthen controls and reconciliation processes for inventory, returns, sales tax, and cash settlement.
• Collaborate with operations, merchandising, fulfillment, technology, and leadership to provide financial insights and operational support.
• Translate financial data into business recommendations for non-financial stakeholders.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning initiatives across departments.
• Partner with the fractional CFO during onboarding and on selected needs, including year-end close, audits, and specialized projects.
• Coordinate annual financial audits and reviews with the external accounting partner.
• Prepare requested financial information for banks, factors, payment providers, and credit card providers, including monitoring bank covenant requirements.
• Review annual business insurance renewals for coverage appropriateness and rate reasonableness.
• Coordinate quarterly tax estimates, extensions, and annual returns with external tax partners.
• Identify and implement scalable financial workflows and process improvements that deliver measurable efficiency gains.
• Build and implement automation, analytics, and AI-enabled tools with leadership to improve financial reporting, forecasting, and decision-making.
• Track and report the time, cost, and accuracy impact of process improvements.
• Perform other duties as assigned; duties, responsibilities, and activities may change.

Benefits

• Flexible schedules.
• Paid parental leave for mothers and fathers.
• Private room for nursing mothers.
• Paid vacation.
• Seven paid holidays per year.
• 50% discount on merchandise.
• 50% discount on 41Fork Exchange located in the Wantable Cafe at Corporate HQ.
• Medical insurance, including traditional and high-deductible plans.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with pre-tax and Roth options.
• Ample parking.
• Laid-back, casual environment at the state-of-the-art headquarters in Walker’s Point.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed