Corporate Controller

 

 

 

 

 

Bel, makers of iconic cheese brands including Babybel, The Laughing Cow, and Boursin, is a growing global company that values your contributions, strives to create a sense of belonging for everyone and offers career growth and development opportunities, as well as competitive total compensation and meaningful well-being benefits from day one. For All, For Good, our company signature, reflects Bel’s commitment to sustainability and healthier and responsible food for all. Bel Brands USA has been named Chicago's "101 Best and Brightest Companies to Work For" for 10 years in a row. The company is headquartered in Chicago and operates three manufacturing plants in Little Chute, WI, Leitchfield, KY, and Brookings, SD.

Job Description Summary

The Corporate Controller will have full responsibility for the financial accounting operations of Bel USA, a subsidiary of Group Bel, based in Chicago, IL.  This includes managing the general ledger for multiple legal entities, leading the monthly and quarterly closing activities, consolidating results, interfacing with Fromageries Bel Group (Paris, France), and managing the financial statement audits. The Corporate Controller oversees the accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable functions.  This position works closely with multiple constituencies, such as production plants, co-manufacturers, FP&A, Group Bel, Payroll, Tax and external auditor, ensuring effective communication and partnerships for success in this role.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the accounting, accounts receivable, and accounts payable teams to ensure proper impact to the financial statements is recorded and compliance requirements for each department are met.
• Guide financial decisions by applying controls / policies to current environment: evaluate accounting, compliance and internal control processes and takes proactive approach to correct deficiencies and mitigate risk.
• Establish, implement, document consistent financial accounting policies and procedures in accordance with GAAP and IFRS.
• Lead month-end closings:

• Completes all management statutory reporting timely and accurately.
• Leads monthly working capital and monthly cash flow reporting.
• Ensures all financial reporting deadlines are met, supporting workpapers are completed and journal entries have the correct oversight.
• Analyze / Review / Sign off on monthly financial statements and management reporting, with both a technical and analytical lens.
• Ensures all fixed asset transactions are recorded and supported.

• Manage local banking responsibilities with Accounts Payable Manager
• Manage mid-year and year-end audits with external auditors.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes: engages team in the evaluation of existing processes and related internal controls and make recommendations for improvement ensuring robust and appropriate internal controls.
• Own Statutory Cash Flow deliverables.
• Implement and review benchmarks and ratios with the assistance of the accounts receivable and accounts payable managers.
• Other duties as assigned by CFO or Group Finance Department

 

Qualifications and Competencies

Minimum degree and experience required:

 

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree preferred in Accounting, Finance, Business, or relating field.  CPA required.
• 12+ years accounting experience with 4+ years in a controlling lead position with management responsibilities. Experience in a consumer product related industry would be a PLUS.
• Possesses high credibility, integrity, adaptability and is able to quickly establish rapport and build productive relationships with team members and cross-functional partners.
• Proactive problem solver that looks to understand, improve processes and deliver simplification.
• Experience with SAP required, BPC a PLUS.
• Strong people leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to coach and develop team members. 
• Professionalism and excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal).
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Exceptionally detailed and organized, with the ability to step back and evaluate the big picture
• Prior financial audit experience required.

 

 

Performance Expectations:

Confidentiality, quality, accuracy, timeliness, reliability, and thoroughness of work performed. Gain the trust and respect of management and coworkers.  Maintain the integrity of confidential business and product information.  Communicate effectively (both written and verbal) and to develop good working re