Controller

Wantable • Milwaukee, WI

18d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller is a strategic leadership role responsible for running Wantable’s accounting function and leading its finance team. The role oversees accounting operations and financial reporting while partnering with the executive team and departments across the business to provide actionable financial insights and operational support. The Controller will build scalable processes and deploy automation and AI tools across finance and operations, with the opportunity to take on higher-level finance responsibilities over time.

The position is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and is hybrid. It is full-time, salaried, and exempt. The Controller reports to the Chief Executive Officer, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Chief Administrative Officer.

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 accounting and finance for 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.
• A demonstrated track record of leading process improvements that delivered measurable efficiency gains, such as a shorter close, less manual effort, or improved reporting accuracy.
• Success working 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, with ongoing curiosity about researching and exploring new tools.
• A growth mindset and interest in taking on higher-level finance work over time, such as 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 within proprietary software platforms, including experience with scripting or low-code/no-code automation tools.
• QuickBooks experience and training.
• CPA license.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including the 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, and foster a collaborative, accountable, solutions-oriented culture.
• Ensure timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial reporting in accordance with internal accounting, GAAP, and tax requirements.
• Maintain and improve cash flow forecasting.
• Monitor and provide insight on financial trends, including inventory, reserves, returns, fulfillment costs, and margin performance.
• Work with the engineering team to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial data flowing through Wantable’s commerce and inventory platform.
• Strengthen controls and reconciliation processes, including those for inventory, returns, sales tax, and cash settlement.
• Collaborate with operations, merchandising, fulfillment, technology, and leadership teams to provide financial insights and operational support.
• Translate financial data into clear business recommendations for non-financial stakeholders.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning across departments.
• Partner with the fractional CFO during onboarding and on selected needs, such as 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 cards, including monitoring bank covenant requirements.
• Review annual business insurance renewals for appropriate coverage and reasonable rates.
• Coordinate quarterly estimates, extensions, and annual tax returns with external tax partners.
• Identify and implement process improvements and scalable financial workflows 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 impacts 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 Wantable merchandise, available from the first day.
• 50% discount on 41Fork Exchange at the Wantable Cafe at the corporate headquarters.
• Ample parking.
• Medical insurance, including traditional and high-deductible plans.
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• 401(k) with pre-tax and Roth options.

What This Job Offers

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