Assistant Controller

SUMMARY OF POSITION: The Assistant Controller supports the Controller in directing the accounting and financial reporting activities of IPD and serves as a key financial partner to business leadership. This hands-on role is responsible for the timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual close; U.S. GAAP financial statements and management reporting; general ledger; inventory and cost accounting; internal controls; full credit management; budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis; cash and working capital analysis; audit and tax support; and accounting systems and process improvement. The Assistant Controller partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Sales, Engineering, and other functions to translate financial information into actionable business insight, safeguard company assets, and improve profitability and cash flow. The role requires a curious, fast-learning, results-oriented professional who is willing to expand their skill set, can progress to a higher level, and may assume direct-report responsibility in the future. The Assistant Controller acts on behalf of the Controller when delegated and is responsible for achieving objectives while exhibiting Storm Industries Core Values.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Regular Functions include:

• Assists the Controller, company officers, and senior staff members in the development and formulation of long- and short-range financial plans, policies, programs, and objectives.

• Leads and coordinates the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close to ensure complete, accurate, and timely results, including close calendars, journal entries, accruals, allocations, and account reconciliations.

• Oversees and executes the full credit management process, including customer credit evaluation, credit limits and terms, order-release decisions, collections, dispute resolution, cash application coordination, bad-debt reserves, customer-risk monitoring, and escalation of delinquent accounts.

• Prepares and reviews financial statements, consolidations, intercompany activity, and management reports in accordance with U.S. GAAP and company policies.

• Maintains the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, accounting records, and supporting schedules; researches and resolves unusual transactions and reconciling items.

• Establishes, documents, and monitors effective internal controls, accounting policies, and segregation of duties; identifies control gaps and leads corrective actions.

• Leads inventory and cost accounting activities including standard costs, bills of material and routing reviews, overhead absorption, purchase price and manufacturing variances, inventory reserves, cycle counts, and physical inventories.

• Partners with Operations, Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales to analyze product margins, material, labor, and overhead performance, productivity, pricing, and cost reduction opportunities.

• Provides oversight and support for accounts payable, fixed assets, payroll accounting, and related transaction processes.

• Supports cash management, cash forecasting, working capital initiatives, banking activities, and analysis of receivables, payables, and inventory.

• Completes and coordinates the annual budget, periodic forecasts, capital planning, and financial analysis; analyzes actual results against plan and communicates key drivers, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions.

• Coordinates external and internal audits and supports income tax, sales and use tax, property tax, statutory, insurance, and other compliance requirements.

• Ensures appropriate accounting for revenue, customer programs, rebates, warranties, leases, capital expenditures, and other significant or non-routine transactions.

• Evaluates accounting and finance functions from a continuous improvement perspective and leads improvements to ERP and financial reporting systems, master data, workflows, automation, and controls to strengthen data integrity, shorten the close, and improve efficiency.

• Uses business intelligence tools and advanced Excel to independently build queries, reports, dashboards, financial models, and analyses that support decision-making, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Evaluates and executes outsourcing opportunities where they improve capability, efficiency, economics, controls, or business continuity, including management of related service providers.

• Identifies and implements responsible uses of artificial intelligence and other automation tools to improve accounting and finance workflows while maintaining appropriate data security, review, and internal controls.

• Safeguards confidential financial information, maintains records in accordance with retention requirements, ensures company policies and safety procedures are followed, and performs other duties as required.

Periodic Functions include:

• Travels to company locations, auditors, banks, and business partners as required, up to 10%.
• Develop reports, analyses, and financial models as required.
• Prepares and deliver presentations to leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Leads special projects, system implementations, integrations, outsourcing initiatives, AI-enabled workflows, and other process improvement initiatives as required.

Leadership Responsibilities:

• Operates effectively as a hands-on individual contributor and may recruit, train, lead, develop, evaluate, and retain accounting team members as the role grows.
• Builds documented processes, cross-training, and succession coverage; establishes clear objectives and performance expectations if direct reports are added in the future.
• Partners with Human Resources on workforce planning, development, coaching, recognition, and other people-management responsibilities as applicable to future team growth.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred; equivalent relevant experience will also be considered.
• CPA or CMA preferred; MBA or advanced degree an asset.
• Minimum 3-5 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, preferably in manufacturing or distribution; prior project or team leadership experience preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with financial reporting, month-end close, inventory and cost accounting, internal controls, full credit management, budgeting, financial analysis, and ERP systems.

Required Behaviors and Competencies include:

• Always expected to exercise independent judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrate a strong sense of ethics, integrity, and confidentiality.
• Demonstrate curiosity, learning agility, time management, organization, adaptability, and willingness to expand skills.
• Demonstrate a results-oriented approach and ability to meet demanding deadlines.
• Demonstrated track record of accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and accounting close processes.
• Ability to evaluate and execute process improvement, automation, AI-enabled workflow, outsourcing, and control enhancement initiatives.
• Manufacturing or distribution experience, including inventory and standard cost accounting.
• Ability to apply exceptional analytical and problem-solving practices and tools.
• Track record demonstrating strong internal and external customer focus.
• Strong execution skills with consistent attention to detail.
• Demonstrate planning, strategic thinking, and business analysis skills.
• Ability to understand financial statements, cash flow, budgets, capital expenditures, payback scenarios, and return on investment.
• Demonstrate leadership potential with the ability to coach and develop employees if direct reports are added in the future.
• Ability to work in a cross-functional environment and build collaborative relationships.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
• Ability to demonstrate Storm Core Values.

Professional/Technical Training and Skills include:

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of safety and safe work practices.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial statement preparation, and account reconciliation.
• Experience with standard costing, inventory valuation, reserves, and manufacturing variance analysis.
• Knowledge of internal controls, audit requirements, and tax and regulatory compliance.
• Experience with budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial analysis.
• Strong technology skills, including experience with ERP, general ledger, reporting, and business intelligence systems and the ability to build queries independently. Experience with Dynamics Great Plains is a plus.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including data analysis, modeling, and query tools, and ability to use PowerPoint, Word, Power BI, and related tools.

Licenses and Certifications include:

• CPA or CMA certification preferred.
• LEAN, Six Sigma, or other process improvement training an asset.
• Managerial and leadership skills training an asset.

CORE VALUES:

Ability to actively promote Storm Core Values of:

• Building Enduring Customer Value.
• Passionately Pursue Excellence.
• Works as a Team/Win as a Team.
• Optimize Results.
• Work with Integrity/Build Trust.