A company in Bakersfield is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting and financial reporting operations. This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on finance leader who enjoys building strong processes, developing teams, and partnering with leadership to support business growth.
The Controller will oversee the company's accounting function, including financial reporting, close, budgeting, cash management, compliance, and internal controls. This role will provide both operational and strategic financial leadership while ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all accounting operations and month-end/year-end close processes
- Oversee financial statements, general ledger activity, and account reconciliations
- Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial analysis
- Establish and maintain strong internal controls, policies, and procedures
- Ensure compliance with GAAP and applicable reporting requirements
- Coordinate annual audits and work with external accounting partners
- Provide financial analysis and insights to support leadership decisions
- Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team
- Drive process improvements and financial systems enhancements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Experience managing month-end close, budgeting, and audits
- Strong Excel and accounting/ERP system skills
- CPA preferred
- Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills
Why Join?
- Key leadership role with direct impact on financial operations and business performance
- Opportunity to partner closely with senior leadership
- Ability to shape accounting processes, systems, and team development as the organization grows
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership experience
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Experience managing month-end close, budgeting, and audits
- Strong Excel and accounting or ERP system skills
- CPA certification
- Excellent leadership, analytical, and communication skills
What We Do
GHJ is an accounting and advisory firm that specializes in nonprofit, food and beverage, entertainment and media and health and wellness companies. Previous recipient of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce Employee Champion For Life Work Harmony Award and named a “Best Places to Work” by the Los Angeles Business Journal eight times since 2008, GHJ is passionate about helping clients and its people #BeMore by focusing on building thriving businesses and creating a better future. GHJ works as a business advocate for its clients — providing personalized service and building long-term relationships to help position our clients for growth. Through its affiliation with HLB International, a global network of independent professional accounting firms and business advisers, GHJ is able to partner with other top firms across major cities throughout the U.S. and the world. GHJ’s audit, tax and advisory teams leverage the HLB network to better serve its clients and give clients access to member firms in over 158 countries across the globe and over 775 offices worldwide. Also ranked as a top-20 largest accounting firm on the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Book of Lists, GHJ has 15 partners and more than 160 staff members that serve over 3,000 clients. GHJ is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), the AICPA Governmental Audit Quality Center (GAQC), the California Society of CPAs and the California Association of Nonprofits (CalNonprofit).
