Controller

Alma PlantationControllerTHE OPPORTUNITYAlma Plantation is seeking an accomplished Controller to serve as the senior financial leader of one of Louisiana's enduring agricultural enterprises. Reporting directly to the General Manager, the Controller will guide the financial and administrative operations of the main office with both strategic vision and hands-on rigor.The Controller plays a pivotal role during Alma's September-through-January harvest season, stewarding the full cane payment cycle from daily load reconciliation through retainer and final payments to growers, landowners, and lenders. Beyond harvest, the position drives month-end close, the annual audit, financial crop projections, board reporting, and year-end tax and information reporting.The successful candidate will be a trusted partner to the General Manager, an inspiring leader for the office team, and a thoughtful steward of Alma Plantation'sfinancial integrity.ABOUT ALMA PLANTATIONAlma Plantation is a longstanding sugar mill and plantation operation rooted in Louisiana's sugarcane heritage. Alma is the last Louisiana sugar plantation where the original plantation structure is still alive. From the sprawling sugarcane fields and active mill to the historic store, commissary and housing quarters, it all continues to function under central company management.With a reputation for innovation and culture of continuous improvement; Alma has an important role in that distinction being the only sugar mill in the Parish, a Grower of sugarcane on three plantations, a Cooperator in the development and release of new sugarcane varieties that are vital to the continuation of sugarcane farming in Louisiana, and collaborator in the LSU Audubon Sugar Institute's research efforts.Small Business is the backbone of any community; Alma Plantation brings innovation, growth, and character to the area.QUALIFICATIONSBased on the scope of the role, the successful candidate will demonstrate the following qualifications:Required10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 5 years as a Controller or in a comparable senior accounting leadership role.Experience managing a team.Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.Experience covering accounts payable, payroll, monthly bank reconciliations, general ledger, and full-cycle audit preparation.Direct responsibility for payroll tax compliance.Experience administering a 401(k) plan, including preparation of the annual census and supporting the plan's annual audit.Proficiency with financial and payroll systems, including hands-on experience in Microsoft Dynamics.Banking and treasury operations experience, including processing checks, ACHs, and wires through Capital One or a comparable commercial banking platform.Demonstrated ability to work directly with external auditors and consultants, including involvement in the selection and implementation of new financial and payroll software.PreferredCPAExperience in agriculture, sugar, or a comparable seasonal/commodity industry preferred, with direct exposure to grower and landowner payment administration.Experience with cane payment systems and integrations such as Intevacon.JOB FUNCTIONSExecutive & Office OversightOversee office operations.Implement policies and procedures.Review and approve clerical timecards.Accounts Payable, Banking, & TreasuryServe as final reviewer of AP invoices for proper coding and sales tax application.Accrue sales taxes on invoices and non-taxed credit card purchases.Approve AP checks for processing.Submit all wires to bank.Reconcile monthly bank statements.PayrollApprove payroll checks for processing and submit check files.Submit payroll taxes (FICA, FUTA, SUTA, LA WH).File quarterly and annual payroll tax reports.Create and issue annual W-2s and submit annual wage reports to federal and Louisiana agencies.Respond to IRS notices regarding tax deposits.Review wage reclassifications and capital wages.401(k) Plan AdministrationReview and submit the annual 401(k) census.Assist auditors with the 401(k) plan's annual audit.Audit & Financial OversightReview factory capital project accounts.Reconcile accounts and prepare audit spreadsheets.Respond to auditor inquiries and provide supporting work papers.Prepare and issue 1099s to vendors, haulers, and growers.Prepare financial crop projections.Prepare Mill and Plantation historical analysis (5-year comparatives).Prepare financial reports for board meetings.Grower & Cane Payment AdministrationContact growers for changes in their tracts, landowners, and banks.Set up grower changes in the cane payment system.Reconcile previous day's loads of cane.Create daily cane reports for growers and management.Correct loads for tract or lab changes.Reconcile weekly loads for cane payments.Calculate and enter weekly fuel supplement.Import diesel charges from Intevacon into the cane payment system.Prepare cane payment checks and ACHs and submit cane payment files.Invoice growers for seedcane purchases.Collect cane ripener documents from growers and calculate reimbursements.Retainer & Final Payment CalculationsUpdate liquidation factor and pricing for retainer payment.Issue retainer cane payments to growers, landowners, and lenders.Adjust liquidation factor and pricing for final cane payment.Issue final cane payments to growers, landowners, and lenders.Grower & Landowner Annual ReportingPrepare annual rent and proceed summaries for growers.Print annual cane payment registers.Send rent registers to landowners.PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICSCommittedTrustworthyOrganizedGrowth-mindedAbility to exercise sound discretionTakes pride in the work, the outcome, and the results.Desire to coach, train, develop, and review the work of direct reports.TO BE CONSIDEREDThis position is open until filled and may close at any time. Candidates are encouraged to apply early in the process for optimal consideration. Resumes will be reviewed and evaluated throughout the recruitment process.To be considered, candidates must submit a resume to alma@consultssa.com. Ideally, the Controller will join Alma Plantation in September 2026 or sooner. Should you have any questions regarding this position or the recruitment process, please email Camille Frugé, SSA Consultants directly at alma@consultssa.com or call 225.769.2676. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.