Controller Location: Santa Barbara, CA Industry: Consumer Products / Apparel / Retail & E-Commerce Company: Privately Held Compensation: $150,000–$175,000 Base Salary Position Overview Conexus has been retained by an established, privately held consumer apparel company headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, to recruit a Controller. The company has a long history of success, a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices, and a collaborative, entrepreneurial culture. With an established presence across wholesale, retail, and e-commerce channels, the organization continues to focus on profitable growth and operational excellence. The Controller will serve as the company's senior accounting and finance leader, overseeing all aspects of financial reporting, accounting operations, and financial controls while serving as a key business partner to executive leadership. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on, commercially minded finance professional who enjoys operating in a smaller, entrepreneurial environment and wants to make an impact beyond traditional accounting responsibilities. The position offers significant visibility across the organization, direct involvement in business decisions, and the opportunity to contribute to the company's continued success.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all aspects of the accounting function, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and month-end and year-end close.
- Prepare and review monthly financial statements, management reports, and supporting analyses, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with GAAP.
- Partner with executive leadership to provide meaningful financial insights, identify trends, and support operational and strategic decision-making.
- Manage cash flow reporting, working capital analysis, and financial forecasting.
- Support the annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting processes, including financial modeling and variance analysis.
- Oversee accounting and financial reporting associated with wholesale, retail, and e-commerce operations.
- Coordinate external audits, tax compliance, and relationships with outside accounting and tax advisors.
- Oversee payroll, commissions, and related accounting activities.
- Evaluate and improve accounting policies, internal controls, systems, and financial processes to support business efficiency and scalability.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a small accounting team while remaining actively involved in day-to-day accounting activities.
- Collaborate with cross-functional business leaders to improve financial visibility, strengthen accountability, and support profitable growth.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Active CPA license required.
- Proven accounting leadership experience, ideally as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar senior accounting professional.
- Experience in consumer products, apparel, wholesale distribution, retail, or e-commerce environments.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, accounting operations, and internal controls.
- Experience preparing and analyzing financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and operating results.
- Strong systems capabilities, with NetSuite experience highly preferred.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including financial analysis and reporting.
- Hands-on leadership style and willingness to manage both strategic initiatives and detailed accounting responsibilities.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with senior leadership.
- Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial, collaborative environment with a relatively lean accounting team.
Location This position is based in Santa Barbara, California, and requires regular onsite collaboration with the company's leadership and accounting teams.
Compensation
The anticipated base salary range is $150,000–$175,000, depending on experience and qualifications. Confidentiality This is a confidential search being conducted by Conexus on behalf of its client. Additional company information will be shared with qualified candidates as they progress through the evaluation process.