Assistant Controller

Description

Reports to: Controller

Direct Reports: Accounts Payable Team
Base Salary Range: $100,000–$125,000

The Opportunity:

VP Supply is seeking a hands-on Assistant Controller to lead its Accounts Payable function and support inventory and COGS accounting, internal controls, process improvement, and the monthly close.

VP Supply is a growing, multi-branch construction distributor with significant purchasing activity, a large vendor base, and high transaction volumes. Our accounting processes are closely connected to Purchasing, Receiving, Inventory, and Operations.

The Assistant Controller will have primary leadership responsibility for a team of three AP professionals while working closely with the Controller and broader accounting team. This position requires someone who enjoys managing people, understanding how transactions move through a business, resolving accounting issues, and improving processes.

Core Responsibilities:

Accounts Payable & Transactional Accounting

• Lead the AP team, ensuring accurate and timely processing of vendor invoices, credits, and payments.
• Oversee AP processes and controls across purchasing, receiving, invoice matching, approvals, and payments.
• Monitor and resolve unmatched receipts, aged invoices, vendor credits, pricing discrepancies, and other transactional exceptions.
• Strengthen vendor statement reconciliations, vendor master-data controls, and payment processes.
• Partner with Purchasing, Receiving, Operations, and branch personnel to resolve issues and improve workflows.
• Coach and develop AP staff, establish clear expectations, and support effective workload management.
• Work with experienced team members to document processes, preserve institutional knowledge, and identify opportunities for efficiency and automation.

COGS & Inventory Accounting

• Support accurate and timely monthly COGS recognition, including the accounting treatment of purchasing, receiving, freight, inventory activity, and vendor transactions.
• Investigate COGS and gross-margin variances and help resolve underlying transaction or process issues.
• Strengthen reconciliations and controls connecting Inventory, Purchasing, Receiving, AP, and the general ledger.
• Oversee accounting for inventory reserves, write-offs, cycle-count adjustments, and freight.
• Partner with the Controller and operational teams to improve the accuracy and consistency of inventory and COGS accounting.

Month-End Close & General Accounting

• Take responsibility for assigned portions of the monthly and year-end close under the direction of the Controller.
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, supporting schedules, and variance analyses.
• Support timely resolution of accounting issues affecting the close.
• Assist with general accounting activities and oversight of recurring accounting processes as responsibilities evolve.
• Support audit requests, financial reporting schedules, and other accounting priorities as assigned.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Work with the Controller to strengthen internal controls across AP and related accounting processes.
• Evaluate existing workflows and identify opportunities to improve accuracy, efficiency, documentation, and accountability.
• Participate in accounting-system implementations and process improvements.
• Leverage technology, automation, and AI to reduce manual work and improve reporting.
• Collaborate across Finance and Operations to address recurring issues and support scalable processes.

Requirements

 Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including general-ledger and month-end close responsibilities.
• Experience managing or working closely with a high-volume AP or transactional accounting function.
• Experience with COGS, inventory accounting, or purchasing and receiving processes strongly preferred.
• Background in distribution, manufacturing, construction, retail, or another high-transaction environment preferred.
• Supervisory experience and demonstrated ability to develop accounting staff.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with accounting systems and process improvement.
• Ability to investigate transaction-level issues and understand their financial-statement impact.
• CPA, CMA, or public accounting experience helpful but not required.

The Person Who Will Thrive Here:

We're looking for someone who is hands-on, organized, collaborative, and naturally curious about how accounting processes work. The right person values the experience and knowledge of existing team members, asks thoughtful questions, and takes ownership of problems through resolution. They are equally comfortable working through detailed transactions, developing employees, and partnering with other departments. This role offers an opportunity to lead a critical accounting function, contribute to broader accounting activities, and help VP Supply continue strengthening its processes as the business grows.