This position will lead the shared service accounting function of approximately 30 team members, supporting both Bagel Brands and Caribou Coffee, and is responsible for the oversight, management and controlled processing of all accounting transactions and accounting matters, including judgmental accounting areas, in the Company’s general ledger and related sub-systems.  Key accounting areas of oversight include accounts payable, accounts receivable, sales processing, payroll, retail inventory control, manufacturing cost accounting, and fixed assets, lease accounting and related occupancy costs.  The accounting team has responsibility for monthly management reporting and review of results for both entities.

The Controller is expected to be a strategic business partner and forward-thinking member of the leadership team who contributes to value creation, finding efficiencies throughout the accounting function as well in in the businesses the role supports.

• Plan, direct and coordinate all accounting operational functions including managing payables, receivables, payroll, controls, and interdepartmental communications processing transactions as well as sales processing, payroll, retail inventory control, manufacturing cost accounting and occupancy
• Provide business partnership and strategic leadership through financial information vital to the decision-making process including accounting and tax implications for all material business decisions
• Deliver exceptional partnership and proactively works with leaders and employees across the organization to drive business performance and operational effectiveness and efficiency
• Hire, train, develop and retain skilled accounting team members
• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual financial accounts
• Coordinate and prepare the timely completion of the monthly general ledger close process
• Ensure general ledger transactions maintained in accordance with US GAAP
• Provide day to day treasury related services/tasks including maintaining/updating daily cash forecasts

• Maintain the documentation of all assigned accounting processes for SOX internal control purposes
• Coordinate all relevant internal controls and assist with the completion of all required internal control testing
• Coordinate and complete the annual audit (the non-financial statement portion of the audit) and assist as necessary with any quarter end reviews by external auditors
• In partnership with IT, evaluate and maintain accounting systems and software including routine system maintenance, system enhancements and new system implementations as necessary
• Drive standardization and optimization across the processes, tools, methodology and terminology, ensuring adherence to appropriate accounting policies and procedures, including improvements in period closing process to achieve benchmark levels for both brands
• Ability to review and assess anticipated regulatory, US GAAP and other financial reporting changes, and lead changes needed to comply

Attributes:

• An agile leader with experience working across multiple business environments and managing complexity
• Ability to think and act quickly under a variety of high pressure, time sensitive situations, and needs to be able to make clear, rational, data-driven decisions, compliant with all applicable rules and regulations, in a very dynamic environment
• Effective communicator in both team and executive situations
• Ability to handle highly sensitive data with integrity and discretion
• Strong aptitude for strategy, planning and activation of goals and initiatives
• Resourceful problem solver and change champion
• Demonstrated success working collaboratively and cross functionally

Qualifications:

Education: Four-year Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or a Related Field

Experience:

• 10+ years experience with SEC and/or corporate financial reporting, including significant financial statement experience

• Experience preparing industry financial statements including report writers (Crystal reports preferred)
• Ability to understand broader business issues and implications, exhibiting a high degree of business acumen
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in US GAAP and related reporting matters
• Knowledgeable of ability to implement and maintain financial systems
• Previous experience supervising an accounting department, including the following areas:  accounts payable, accounts receivable, sales processing, payroll, retail inventory control, manufacturing cost accounting and occupancy.
• Experience with multi-unit restaurant or retail organizations is preferred
• CPA (active or inactive) highly desirable
• Advanced degree is a plus