Accounting Manager / Controller – Manufacturing
Location: Cleveland / Euclid, OH
Schedule: 100% Onsite | Monday–Friday
Compensation: Approximately $100,000–$135,000, depending on experience
Industry: Advanced Manufacturing / Metals
The Opportunity
We are partnering with a growing advanced manufacturing company in the Cleveland area to hire an Accounting Manager / Controller who can take ownership of the day-to-day accounting function while helping prepare the business for its next major stage of growth.
This is not a traditional “manage from a distance” accounting leadership role.
The company operates a complex manufacturing environment and is preparing for a transition into a public-company structure in the coming months . They need someone who understands manufacturing accounting, can operate comfortably in a hands-on environment, and has exposure to the financial controls, audits, reporting standards, and discipline required within a public-company setting.
You will work directly alongside an experienced CFO, oversee one accounting team member, and have the opportunity to help shape the accounting infrastructure of the business as it scales.
For someone currently sitting at the Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, or Controller level , this is an opportunity to step into a highly visible role with significant long-term upside.
What You’ll Be Responsible For
- Own the day-to-day accounting function for a growing manufacturing operation
- Lead month-end close and financial statement preparation
- Manage and support external audit requirements
- Prepare the accounting organization for the company’s transition into a public-company environment
- Help establish stronger financial controls, accounting procedures, and reporting processes
- Manage accounting requirements related to inventory, manufacturing costs, standard costing, and margin analysis
- Support accounting across multiple manufacturing processes and production lines
- Oversee and develop one direct report , with the accounting team expected to grow alongside the business
- Remain hands-on with transactional accounting, reconciliations, close activities, and financial reporting
- Partner closely with the CFO on accounting strategy and infrastructure
- Support the transition from the company's current accounting systems into a new ERP environment
- Help identify opportunities to automate and modernize accounting processes
- Build scalable processes capable of supporting significant future growth
What We’re Looking For
Manufacturing accounting experience is required.
The strongest candidates will have:
- 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
- Experience within a true manufacturing environment
- Strong understanding of:
- Cost accounting
- Standard costing
- Inventory valuation
- Manufacturing variances
- Margin analysis
- Month-end close
- Financial statement preparation
- Experience working through financial audits
- Exposure to a publicly traded company, public-company subsidiary, or public-company reporting environment
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline
- Experience managing or mentoring accounting staff
- A willingness to stay close to the details and perform hands-on accounting work
Strongly Preferred
- CPA or previous public accounting experience
- Big 4, regional public accounting, or audit background
- Experience helping a company prepare to become publicly traded
- SEC/public-company compliance exposure
- Metals, machining, foundry, casting, extrusion, forging, or other industrial manufacturing experience
- ERP implementation or conversion experience
- NetSuite or Microsoft Dynamics experience
- Experience within a carve-out, acquisition, spin-off, or rapidly scaling organization
Who Will Thrive Here
This opportunity is best suited for someone who enjoys building rather than simply maintaining.
The company is growing quickly, its accounting infrastructure is evolving, and the person stepping into this role will have meaningful influence over how the finance organization operates going forward.
You should be comfortable working in a smaller entrepreneurial environment where leadership is accessible, decisions happen quickly, and everyone is expected to contribute beyond a narrowly defined job description.
You should also be comfortable doing the work yourself . While you will have one direct report and additional resources will be added as the company grows, this is not a role for someone looking to exclusively review work and delegate.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Public-company exposure: Join at a pivotal point as the organization prepares for a public-company transition
- Direct CFO partnership: Work closely with an experienced financial executive and gain significant leadership exposure
- Career runway: Opportunity to grow into broader Controller and potentially future finance leadership responsibilities
- Build something: Help establish the accounting systems, processes, controls, and team for the company's next stage
- Growing manufacturer: Join a profitable operation positioned for meaningful investment and expansion
- ERP modernization: Participate in the company's move away from manual processes and legacy accounting systems
- Strong benefits: Competitive healthcare, 401(k) match, generous PTO, and company holidays
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical coverage with low copays
- HSA-qualified health plan with approximately a $1,500 deductible
- Health insurance eligibility beginning the first day of the month following 90 days of employment
- 401(k) plan with company match — employees contributing 6% receive the maximum 3.5% company match
- 3–4 weeks of PTO , depending on experience
- 9 paid company holidays
- Long-term growth opportunity as the company expands its accounting and finance organization
- Direct exposure to executive leadership and the company’s transition into a public-company environment
This is a 100% onsite position based in the Cleveland / Euclid area. Candidates should be comfortable working from the office and manufacturing facility five days per week .
If you are a hands-on manufacturing accounting professional who wants the opportunity to help take a company through a major growth and public-company transition, we would love to connect. We look forward to your application!