Controller

Controller Location: Scottsdale, AZ - In Office Position Industry: Retail - Jewelry Store Footprint: 23 locations across 4 states (expanding to 35-40 locations within 6-12 months) About the Company We are a highly successful, fast-growing jewelry retailer with a 25+ year track record of organic growth since opening our first store in 1997. With approximately $100 million in annual revenue and 23 locations across four states, we are entering an exciting phase of expansion, with plans to open an additional 16 stores over the next 6-12 months. Our growth has been built on strong fundamentals, entrepreneurial drive, and a deep commitment to our customers. To date, the ownership team has managed all financial operations internally. We are now seeking a Controller to build, structure, and lead the finance function as we scale. Position Overview This is a foundational and highly impactful role-the first dedicated Controller in the company's history. The ideal candidate is both strategic and hands-on, capable of rolling up their sleeves to clean up and rebuild the financial infrastructure while simultaneously implementing best practices to support rapid growth. This individual must be comfortable stepping into a complex and unstructured environment, with the expectation that it will take approximately 6+ months to stabilize, organize, and optimize existing financial processes. We are not looking for a "yes" person. We are seeking a thought leader who brings strong opinions, proven systems, and the confidence to challenge the status quo in order to build a best- in-class finance function. Key Responsibilities Financial Operations & Close Process ? Own and execute the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes ? Perform and/or oversee all bank and account reconciliations ? Ensure accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting ? Clean up historical financial data and establish reliable reporting structures ? Transition the organization from reactive to proactive financial management Reporting & Analytics ? Develop and deliver daily, weekly, and monthly reporting dashboards, including: o Sales performance by store and region o Sales trends and forecasting o Inventory and shrink/loss ratios o Margin analysis and profitability by product/store ? Provide actionable insights to ownership and leadership to support decision-making ? Build out KPI tracking and performance metrics aligned with growth goals Systems & Process Improvement ? Lead the optimization (and potential redesign) of current systems, including QuickBooks ? Introduce scalable processes, controls, and workflows to support multi-state expansion ? Evaluate and recommend future systems (ERP, reporting tools, etc.) as the company grows ? Establish and document standard operating procedures (SOPs) for all finance functions Cash Management & Controls ? Oversee cash flow management across all locations ? Implement strong internal controls to minimize risk and loss ? Monitor and report on store-level financial performance and variances Leadership & Partnership ? Serve as a strategic partner to ownership and operations leadership ? Provide guidance on financial implications of growth initiatives, including new store openings ? Build and lead a future finance/accounting team as the company scales ? Act as a key voice in shaping the financial strategy of the organization Immediate Priorities (First 6-12 Months) ? Clean up and reconcile existing financials and accounts ? Establish a consistent and reliable month-end close process ? Build foundational reporting (daily/weekly/monthly) ? Implement structure, discipline, and visibility across all financial operations ? Create scalable systems and processes to support rapid expansion Qualifications Required ? Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field ? 7-12+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience ? Strong Controller or Assistant Controller experience, ideally in retail or multi-unit environments ? Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks (required) ? Advanced Excel skills (modeling, pivot tables, data analysis) ? Proven experience managing full-cycle accounting and close processes ? Demonstrated success cleaning up and improving disorganized financial environments Preferred ? Experience in multi-location retail, ideally with inventory complexity ? Experience supporting rapid growth or scaling organizations ? CPA or similar certification is a plus What We're Looking For ? A builder who thrives in ambiguity and can create structure from the ground up ? Someone who is hands-on, detail-oriented, and execution-focused ? A professional with strong convictions and the confidence to challenge and improve existing processes ? A leader who brings both strategic thinking and operational excellence ? High integrity, accountability, and ownership mentality Why This Role ? Opportunity to build and shape the finance function from the ground up ? Direct partnership with ownership and significant influence on company direction ? Join a proven, profitable company entering a major growth phase ? Make a tangible, lasting impact on a $100M+ business