Controller

Benefits:

• 401(k) matching
• Bonus based on performance
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Controller

Drift Coffee + Kitchen

Location: Wilmington, NC (Corporate Office, with restaurant visits as needed) Office: In office 3 days/week with flexibility Mondays and Fridays Reports to: Chief Financial Officer Direct Report: Staff Accountant / AP Specialist Position: Full-time, Exempt

About the Role

At Drift, great coffee, great food, and great hospitality all depend on people who care about the details. That includes what happens behind the scenes.

With 15 locations and more growth ahead, we're looking for a Controller who can help us build a stronger, smarter business. Someone who takes pride in getting the numbers right, understands how restaurants operate, and knows that good financial information helps good people make better decisions.

This is a hands-on leadership role. You'll own our accounting processes, financial reporting, and internal controls while working closely with our CFO and Operations team. You'll help us understand how each restaurant is performing, identify opportunities to improve, and build the systems and processes that support our growth.

We're looking for someone who can see the big picture without losing sight of the details. Someone who is comfortable leading a team, solving problems, and rolling up their sleeves to get things done.

What You'll Own

Financial Accuracy & Accountability

• Own the monthly close process, delivering accurate financial statements within 10 business days.
• Maintain accurate financial records, including the general ledger, reconciliations, journal entries, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and fixed assets.
• Ensure financial statements, consolidations, and lease accounting comply with GAAP.
• Oversee the accuracy of transactions between our POS, banking, inventory, payroll, and accounting systems.
• Keep our accounting practices organized, consistent, and ready for review.

Understand the Business

• Deliver timely, accurate P&Ls for every restaurant and the company as a whole.
• Track and analyze the numbers that matter, including sales, comps, average check, food cost, labor, prime cost, and restaurant-level profitability.
• Work with Operations leaders to understand performance, identify opportunities, and make better decisions.
• Partner with the CFO on budgets, forecasts, cash flow, and financial planning.
• Identify financial risks early, recommend solutions, and help the business stay ahead of them.

Protect the Business

• Establish and maintain strong financial controls across purchasing, inventory, cash handling, and payroll.
• Oversee inventory reconciliation and food and beverage cost reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate tax filings, including sales, payroll, property, and other applicable taxes.
• Coordinate annual audits or financial reviews and work with outside accounting and tax partners.
• Partner with HR to support accurate payroll processing and compliance with applicable laws and company policies.

Build for What's Next

• Improve the accounting systems, tools, and processes that support our restaurants and corporate team.
• Partner with leadership to strengthen POS integrations, accounting software, and AP automation.
• Create clear, consistent processes that can grow with the company.
• Lead, coach, and develop the Staff Accountant / AP Specialist while staying involved in the day-to-day work.
• Own deadlines, follow through on commitments, and continually look for ways to make the business better.

What We're Looking For

• Licensed CPA with a bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
• 7+ years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a Controller or Assistant Controller role.
• Experience supporting a multi-unit restaurant, café, QSR, or retail business.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, month-end close, and multi-entity accounting.
• Experience with restaurant P&Ls, food costs, labor, inventory, and financial controls.
• Familiarity with POS integrations and the flow of information between operating and accounting systems.
• A natural ability to make complex financial information understandable and useful to others.
• Someone who is organized, dependable, curious, and willing to jump in wherever needed.

Even Better If You Have:

• Previous public accounting or audit experience.
• Experience in a growing, multi-location business.
• Experience with Restaurant365, Toast, and advanced Excel.
• Familiarity with recipe costing, inventory management, gift cards, loyalty programs, and third-party delivery.

What Success Looks Like

In your first year, we expect you to build trust in our numbers and confidence in our processes.

• Monthly financials are accurate and consistently closed within 10 business days.
• Restaurant leaders receive timely, reliable P&Ls they can use to manage their business.
• Our financial statements consistently meet GAAP standards.
• Annual financial reviews or audits are completed without material adjustments.
• Our accounting processes are stronger, more organized, and prepared to support continued growth.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual performance bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• 401(k)
• Employee discount at all Drift locations

Join Us

If you love the details, care about the people behind the numbers, and want to help build something meaningful, we'd love to meet you.

Drift Coffee + Kitchen is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Flexible work from home options available.