About the position
Our client, a private equitybacked manufacturing company undergoing an acquisition, is seeking a hands-on Controller (or Controller-minus level consultant) to support Day 1 finance operations and stabilize accounting processes during the transition. This role is designed for an execution-focused finance leader who is comfortable working on-site in an environment with manual processes and limited technology. The consultant will play a critical role in improving GAAP compliance, strengthening the monthly close, and supporting leadership with a proactive Day 1 finance support plan for sponsors and sellers. This is a travel role with an initial on-site requirement in Tulsa, OK for the first several weeks, with the potential to transition to a hybrid or remote model once processes are stabilized.
Responsibilities
• Provide Day 1 finance leadership support for a private equity acquisition
• Lead and execute monthly close activities, including hands-on journal entries, reconciliations, and review
• Assess and improve GAAP compliance in an environment that has not previously been audited
• Stabilize general accounting operations and documentation
• Partner with the existing Controller and small accounting team to relieve bandwidth constraints
• Review and improve inventory accounting processes and controls
• Support manufacturing accounting, including COGS, inventory valuation, and cost accounting
• Assist with the cleanup of historical accounting issues as needed
• Support sales tax compliance, including potential preparation for a Sales Tax Voluntary Disclosure Agreement (VDA) process
• Provide leadership with actionable financial insights and recommendations
• Support transition from manual, paper-based processes to more streamlined workflows
• Partner cross-functionally with Operations and Leadership to improve financial visibility
Requirements
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including Controller or Controller-minus level responsibilities
• Manufacturing accounting experience required (inventory, cost accounting, COGS)
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and month-end close processes
• Comfortable operating in manual or low-tech accounting environments
• Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves mentality (this is an execution role, not advisory-only)
• Experience working with Sage or similar ERP/accounting systems
• Strong Excel skills and ability to work with imperfect data
• Excellent communication skills and ability to collaborate with operations teams
Nice-to-haves
• Experience supporting acquisitions, PE-backed companies, or carve-outs strongly preferred