Controller

Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Controller DEPARTMENT: Accounting

REPORTS TO: Chief Financial Officer CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

SUMMARY: The Controller oversees day-to-day accounting operations for a multi-entity wine group spanning winery, vineyard, hospitality, direct-to-consumer and wholesale operations. The role is responsible for the monthly close, accurate financial reporting, internal controls and leadership of the accounting team. The Controller serves as the primary contact for lenders, auditors, tax advisors and insurers, and provides practical accounting guidance across the business. The position emphasizes review, approval and oversight, with routine preparation delegated to the accounting team.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the monthly close for all entities. Review and approve the financial statements, variance analysis and supporting schedules before release to leadership.
• Review and approve journal entries, accruals, reclassifications and year-end adjustments, and prepare complex or non-routine entries directly.
• Review and approve monthly balance sheet reconciliations. Oversee AP, AR, cash receipts and GL coding, and resolve exceptions and coding questions.
• Oversee reconciliation of distributor and wholesale receivables, distributor-to-distributor transfers, credit memos and deductions.
• Oversee accounting for inventory, bulk wine, standard bottle and case costs, intercompany transfers and fixed assets.

Internal Controls and Compliance

• Maintain and enforce accounting policies, documentation standards and approval controls, including contract pricing support, card approvals and the close checklist.
• Maintain oversight of the chart of accounts, including creating GL accounts and codes and setting coding rules for new programs and departments.
• Advise departments on whether proposed transactions comply with accounting, tax and alcohol-industry rules, escalating to the CFO or counsel when needed.

• Lead the annual operating and capital budget process, including preparing templates, consolidating department submissions and summarizing the capital plan.
• Produce monthly budget-to-actual variance reports and partner with department leaders to interpret results.
• Deliver the preliminary and final budgets to ownership, and the final budgets to managers.

Cash Management & Banking

• Oversee day-to-day banking activities, including daily cash flow, wires and bank service setup.
• Prepare and submit lender reporting: monthly financials, borrowing base support, covenant calculations and quarterly entity financials.
• Serve as the primary contact for lender field exams and information requests.

Audit, Tax & Insurance Coordination

• Serve as the main contact for the external auditors through interim and year-end fieldwork, including request lists, process documentation and inventory observations.
• Coordinate with outside tax advisors on income, franchise, property and other state filings. Track deadlines and signatures and supply supporting detail.
• Review excise and sales tax returns before filing and answer related accounting questions.
• Manage insurance renewal information and the claims process with brokers and adjusters.

Financial Systems and Process Improvement

• Serve as the accounting lead for Microsoft Dynamics GP and connected e-commerce, point-of-sale and payment platforms, resolving integration and data issues.
• Develop procedures, support system and reporting improvements, and help evaluate new finance tools.

Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead, train and develop the accounting team. Assign and prioritize work, review output, establish clear expectations and help define roles.
• Serve as the accounting resource for Sales, Hospitality, Winemaking, Vineyard, Marketing, HR and IT, partnering with department leaders to resolve accounting issues and support business needs.

Requirements

 QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance. CPA preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least five years in a supervisory role and two years as an Assistant Controller or Controller.
• Experience with multi-entity close, external audits and lender reporting.
• Winery and agriculture experience preferred.
• Strong commitment to accuracy, high standards and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, develop and motivate accounting teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, projects and deadlines.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a changing business environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with colleagues and leaders across the organization.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and accounting systems; Microsoft Dynamics GP experience preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong skills in financial data collection, analysis and evaluation.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to do the following: 
• Analyze statistical and financial data.
• Calculate figures and amounts.
• Sit for prolonged periods.
• Coordinate multiple tasks simultaneously.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to work in an open work environment.

The above reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.