Controller

Crystal Group•Hiawatha, IA

15d•Onsite

About The Position

This position will lead a small team of employee-owners to deliver accurate, timely, and transparent financial reports that support both business performance and long-term value creation for the ESOP. This role is ideal for a finance professional who not only brings strong technical expertise but also thrives in a culture of ownership, collaboration, and accountability. The Controller will serve as a trusted partner to senior leadership, providing financial insights that guide strategic decisions and strengthen employee-owner understanding of company performance. With a balance of operational excellence and strategic perspective, this role offers an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth of the business and the prosperity of every employee-owner.

Requirements

Must be a US Person (US Citizen, person granted US Permanent Resident Card or any individual who is granted status as a "protected person”)
Bachelor’s degree in accounting with 10+ years progressive accounting experience, including team leadership and full-cycle accounting responsibilities
Proven track record of success in financial reporting, accounting operations, and compliance
Experience managing or mentoring small teams in a collaborative, high-growth environment
Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting, internal controls, and ESOP-related compliance requirements.
Ability to connect financial performance with employee-owner value creation, fostering a culture of ownership and shared accountability.
Proven leadership and people development skills, with the ability to mentor and inspire employee-owners to grow professionally and contribute to company success.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, capable of translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insights for all levels of the organization.
High degree of integrity and trustworthiness, with a commitment to transparency and stewardship of employee-owner resources.
Strategic and analytical thinker who can balance day-to-day operational excellence with long-term financial sustainability.
Collaborative mindset with the ability to build cross-functional relationships and engage employee-owners in achieving shared business objectives.
Continuous improvement orientation, leveraging technology, process optimization, and team input to drive efficiency and scalability.

Nice To Haves

Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
Advanced degree in Finance, Accounting, or Business Administration (MBA or master's in accounting)
Experience in strategic finance planning, budgeting, and forecasting.
Exposure to process improvement initiatives, systems implementation, or transformation projects
Demonstrated capability and interest in developing toward broader leadership responsibilities within finance

Responsibilities

Provide enterprise financial leadership by monitoring company financial performance, identifying risks and opportunities, supporting long-range planning, and partnering on strategic business decisions.
Ownership of cash flow forecasting, liquidity planning, inventory management, receivables, payables, and overall working capital performance.
Establish accountability for relationships with auditors, tax advisors, banking partners, and other financial service providers, including leading annual audit activities.
Partner with Operations, Engineering, Sales, and Program Management leaders to improve profitability, resource allocation, pricing decisions, and overall business performance.
Responsible for financial systems optimization, reporting enhancements, KPI development, and process improvements that support organizational growth.
Provide strategic leadership to the accounting function, guiding a small team of employee-owners and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and shared success.
Direct financial close and reporting processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with GAAP, regulatory standards, and ESOP requirements.
Serve as a trusted financial partner to senior leadership, delivering insights and recommendations that influence strategic decisions and support long-term employee-owner value creation.
Oversee accounting operations and internal controls, maintaining the integrity of financial information that drives both business performance and employee-owner trust.
Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities to align resources with organizational objectives and sustainable growth.
Champion continuous improvement initiatives, leveraging technology, best practices, and employee-owner input to enhance efficiency and reporting capabilities.
Build strong cross-functional relationships, promoting transparency and financial literacy to help employee-owners understand and contribute to company performance.
Demonstrate leadership capacity with the ability to take on broader responsibilities as the company grows, ensuring the financial health of the ESOP and the prosperity of its employee-owners.