Senior Controller

Talus Holdings•Syracuse, NY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Harvest Prime Foods is seeking an experienced Controller to own the full accounting and finance function at the operating company level, with primary focus on Syracuse Banana. This is a senior hire designed to establish permanent, professional finance leadership at a company that has operated with a family-office accounting structure through its acquisition and early integration period. The Controller will report directly to the Harvest Prime platform leadership, partner closely with the Syracuse Banana management team, and serve as the primary accounting owner as the platform continues to grow through additional acquisitions. The ideal candidate brings deep Controller-level experience in food distribution or a comparable operationally intensive industry, a strong command of GAAP financial reporting, and the credibility to lead organizational change in a family-founded environment. This is not an entry point into the Controller function, it is the permanent, senior-most accounting leader for a growing PE-backed food platform, and the right candidate will have the track record and professional presence to match that responsibility.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred
8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a minimum of 3 years in a Controller or equivalent senior accounting leadership role
Demonstrated history of owning the full accounting function independently, not in a supporting or deputy capacity
Experience in food distribution, wholesale produce, food manufacturing, or a comparably complex, operationally intensive industry
Hands-on experience with acquisition accounting under ASC 805, including opening balance sheet preparation and reconciliation
Demonstrated experience with post-closing purchase price adjustment or working capital determination processes, including seller-facing settlement communications
Deep familiarity with GAAP financial reporting for privately held operating companies
Strong command of accounting for common M&A deal structures, including asset purchases, stock purchases, and earn-out arrangements
Experience managing or coordinating an annual financial statement audit
High proficiency in Excel, including financial modeling, reconciliation workbooks, and data analysis across large transaction populations
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present technical accounting positions clearly to non-accountants and to counterparties in a negotiation context
Executive presence and professional credibility to lead organizational change in a family-founded business environment

Nice To Haves

CPA license (active or inactive)
Experience in fresh produce distribution, perishable goods, or food logistics
Familiarity with food industry ERP or distribution management platforms (e.g., QuickBooks, Produce Pro, or comparable systems)
Prior experience in a PE-backed or multi-entity platform company environment
Public accounting background (Big 4 or regional firm), particularly with private company audit clients
Demonstrated track record of replacing or succeeding a founder-era accounting function with institutional-grade controls and reporting

Responsibilities

Own the full monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, producing timely and accurate GAAP financial statements
Maintain a controlled, audit-ready accounting environment at all times
Prepare and review account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules
Coordinate with external auditors and tax preparers, managing the annual audit and tax compliance process
Develop and maintain a consistent close calendar with clearly defined milestones and deliverables
Produce management reporting packages that give platform leadership and operators clear visibility into financial performance
Lead the accounting integration of acquired businesses, including Day 1 opening balance sheet setup under ASC 805
Reconcile and validate opening balance sheets against purchase agreement representations, identifying discrepancies requiring adjustment
Manage the working capital determination process, including construction of the formal determination workbook, variance analysis, and documentation of adjustments
Interface with sellers and their representatives in post-closing settlement discussions, providing clear, well-supported positions backed by the accounting records
Assess accounting implications of purchase agreement mechanics, including NWC targets, earn-out provisions, indemnification escrows, and seller note structures
Coordinate with legal counsel and the Talus deal team on formal delivery of post-close determinations and dispute resolution procedures
Design, document, and enforce a robust internal controls framework appropriate for a multi-entity food distribution operating company
Establish and maintain accounting policies and procedures, ensuring consistent application across acquired entities during integration
Oversee revenue recognition, AR/AP management, payroll accounting, and cash management practices
Manage compliance with food industry regulatory requirements as they intersect with financial operations, including HACCP documentation, supplier payment terms, and perishable goods accounting
Manage sales tax compliance and any applicable business licensing obligations across operating geographies
Serve as the primary owner of the company's accounting and ERP systems, ensuring proper configuration, data integrity, and chart of accounts alignment
Evaluate and lead the implementation of system upgrades or new platforms as the business scales, with a focus on automating manual processes and improving close efficiency
Support integration of acquired companies' accounting systems and data migration into the platform standard
Build, mentor, and develop an accounting team capable of sustaining the platform's financial infrastructure as it scales
Serve as a trusted partner to the Syracuse Banana General Manager and operations leadership, translating financial performance into actionable insight
Partner with the Harvest Prime platform leadership and the Talus finance team on budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting
Represent the finance function with credibility and judgment in interactions with lenders, auditors, insurers, and other external stakeholders
Provide ad hoc financial analysis and decision support to leadership as needed