Controller (Accounting & Finance)

  Gutchess Lumber Company Inc

  Cortland, New York, United States

Corporate Controller

For over a century, Gutchess Lumber, has built a reputation for delivering consistent, high-quality Northern hardwoods.  We take pride in the fact that we are a 5th generation family and employee-owned organization and we have been successful since we established over 100 years ago. Our 400+ employee owners are paramount to our success and our steadfast commitment to quality. Gutchess Lumber owns and maintains tens of thousands of acres of our own timber-lands in the prime northern hardwood forests of New York and Pennsylvania. These company-owned lands are harvested in 15 and 30 year cycles to ensure a continuous healthy supply of quality hardwood timber.

The Controller reports directly to the CFO but will also work closely with the President.  This position will also manage a finance and accounting department of 6 to 7 direct reports and will liaise closely with the other Gutchess manufacturing locations.  This position is located at the corporate office in Cortland, NY. 

Additionally, the Corporate Controller manages and coordinates all financial reporting, auditing and budgeting responsibilities in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and accepted company accounting practices and procedures.  The Corporate Controller also consults with various Department managers and personnel on business issues and is responsible for the ensuring the financial stability of the organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Performs accounting, financial procedures and reporting, manages accounting, payroll functions, accounts receivable, collection functions and accounts payable activities, to ensure accurate financial records and information.
• Prepares for and performs month end closings, reviewing systems generated journal entries for accuracy, preparing and non-systems journal entries, reconciling accounts and performing general ledger maintenance. Supervises accounts receivable aging and summary reports, analyzes, prepares and publishes financial and operational results to monitor, control and report financial activities and status.
• Assists in development and preparation of the budget process to provide the framework for establishing estimates.
• Works closely at monitoring and controlling costs.
• Assist in development, designs and entering of budget models in the computer for operations and profit and loss reports, which enable the Senior Management to access, understand, develop scenarios and revise individual department and function forecasts.
• Works with the Inventory Controller to develop, audit and analyze physical inventory, reconciling general ledger, monitoring valuation and depletion.
• Analyzes labor costs, standard costs, COGS and SG&A to determine reasonable, effective cost containment.
• Develops overhead rates, determines overhead pools and cost drivers and monitors spending levels and reallocation of costs to assure full cost absorption.
• Updates and maintains chart of accounts and fixed asset records.
• Ensures compliance with bank and related governmental regulations.
• Performs cost accounting activities for Senior Management in solving business issues such as, return on investment, efficiency, overhead and cost benefit analysis.
• Coordinates, cooperates, communicates, supports and interacts with Company personnel to foster teamwork and ensure open communication and mutual understanding.
• Ensures compliance with generally accepted accounting principles, accepted company accounting policies and procedures and related governmental regulations.
• Supervises accounting and payroll clerical personnel staff.
• Mentors and teaches personnel using effective management and supervisory techniques to foster teamwork and develop a satisfied, cohesive, committed, productive workforce.
• Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.
• interviewing, hiring and training employees; planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees according to company policies; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Emphasize interpersonal skills, team building, and employee motivation
• Partners with the CFO and other key personnel to proactively develop financial information and analysis that assists the Senior Staff and others to effectively manage the Company to achieve profit objectives. Some examples: Gross Margin Analysis, Operational efficiencies, Profitability Studies.
• Integral in planning and coordination of company audit.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting/Business Administration with accounting emphasis and/or public accounting or equivalent
• 7 - 10 years related experience in a senior finance/accounting management
• Manufacturing or related environment experience preferred
• CPA or CMA certification is preferred not required
• Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, financial reports, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports and business correspondence and procedures manuals.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of abstract and concrete variable situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Experience in PC computer system and other business software.
• Must have outstanding interpersonal skills, excellent oral and written presentation and communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability and knowledge about the implementation of financing mechanisms and concepts, and debt management and treasury.

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