Controller and Finance Manager

The Controller and Finance Manager will lead month-end close and financial reporting while partnering with the owner, management, HR, and leadership on budgeting, analysis, and compensation planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the month-end close process to ensure financial reporting is timely, accurate, and complete.
• Review accounting activity prepared by the Senior Staff Accountant, providing guidance, oversight, and follow-through.
• Maintain a working understanding of monthly financial results, including key drivers, unusual activity, and relevant trends.
• Review and present the monthly financial reporting package to the owner and management team.
• Support clear, consistent financial reporting that enables management to understand performance and make informed decisions.
• Prepare budgets in coordination with ownership and the management team.
• Compare actual results to budget and prior expectations, highlighting key variances and operational implications.
• Analyze financial results and identify meaningful insights beyond reporting figures.
• Explain financial trends, cost drivers, revenue performance, and areas requiring attention.
• Provide practical financial input for planning, resource allocation, and operational priorities.
• Articulate recommended operational changes based on financial analysis and business performance.
• Partner with ownership and management to evaluate opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability, and accountability.
• Present financial information in a concise, practical, decision-useful format for both financial and non-financial stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted internal resource for accounting, reporting, budgeting, and financial performance questions.
• Supervise, support, and provide direction to the Senior Staff Accountant; promote accuracy, accountability, and timely delivery.
• Communicate expectations clearly and follow up on deliverables in a professional, constructive manner.
• Collaborate effectively with ownership, management, and internal team members.
• Partner with HR and senior leadership on company-wide compensation plans, incentive structures, bonus programs, and workforce budgeting.
• Oversee payroll operations and provide financial analysis and oversight of compensation, benefits, retirement plan costs, and other employee-related expenditures.
• Collaborate with HR on internal controls, policies, procedures, and employment-related compliance matters, partnering with outside employment counsel as appropriate.
• Evaluate benefit plan costs, vendor contracts, and renewals to identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency while maintaining competitive employee benefits.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in accounting leadership, financial reporting, budgeting, and financial analysis.
• Ability to oversee accounting processes while also providing business-focused financial insight.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to present financial results clearly to ownership and management.
• Ability to identify issues, explain financial implications, and recommend practical operational improvements.
• Experience with employee benefits (401k, insurance), information technology, and incentive compensation plans.
• Experience supervising accounting staff and/or providing meaningful review and guidance to accounting team members.
• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and ability to balance hands-on execution with strategic analysis.
• CPA preferred, but not required.

Location and Employment Details

• Location: Milwaukee, WI (onsite), downtown Milwaukee
• Position type: Full-Time or Part-Time (32 hours per week)

Compensation

• Salary: USD 150,000 per year
• Compensation: Up to $150,000, commensurate with experience

Benefits

• Full benefits package, including paid indoor parking
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan with safe harbor match
• Paid Garage parking

How to Apply

• Submit your resume and a 1-page letter of introduction at www.mahlermatch.com.
• Immediate interviews available.