Position SpecificationRole Title: Accounting Director
Reports to: VP, Corporate Controller
Location: Waterloo, IA
Travel: Less than 25%
Position OverviewWe are seeking an experienced and transformational Assistant Global Controller to elevate our global finance organization. This role goes beyond stewardship-it's about building, modernizing, and scaling a best-in-class controllership function. The ideal candidate combines technical mastery with operational savvy: someone who can embed strong controls, implement modern systems, standardize costing and reporting, and support a high-performance global team.
Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & Transformation- Lead and inspire the Corporate Accounting team and influence global accounting teams, driving a culture of transparency, accountability, continuous improvement, and shared service mindset,
- Champion global policy adherence, standardization, scalability, and simplification of finance processes.
- Support the build of a best-in-class global controllership organization that is both disciplined and future-ready.
Controls, Compliance & Governance- Design, implement, and maintain a global controls framework that ensures integrity and compliance across all entities.
- Own global accounting policies (US GAAP, IFRS, local statutory) and enforce discipline across all regions.
- Lead external audits, ensuring full transparency and proactive issue resolution.
- Develop internal audit processes and expectations to ensure accuracy and adherence to internal controls, processes, and external requirements.
- Safeguard assets and prevent fraud through robust controls and governance.
Financial Reporting & Audits- Direct global consolidated financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and clarity.
- Partner with Corporate Controller, CFO, CEO, and external stakeholders with reporting that delivers both compliance and business insight.
- Oversee statutory and management reporting across multiple geographies.
Standard Costing & Operational Finance- Support the design and implementation of standard costing methodologies across global manufacturing sites.
- Partner with Operations and Supply Chain to ensure accurate product costing, inventory valuation, and margin reporting.
- Provide insights into cost drivers, variance analysis, and productivity opportunities.
- Support the CFO and leadership team in strategic pricing, margin management, and capital deployment decisions.
Technology, Process & Shared Services- Review and Optimize ERP, financial reporting software, and automation solutions to enable speed, accuracy, and scalability.
- Build and scale a shared services mindset, creating efficiency in AP, AR, Payroll, and related processes.
- Streamline and standardize month-end close processes and reduce cycle times while improving accuracy and transparency.
- Leverage technology and analytics to transform finance from compliance to decision enablement.
Business Partnership- Serve as a trusted partner to senior leaders across functions and geographies.
- Provide actionable insights that drive profitable growth, cost productivity, and operational excellence.
- Act as both a guardian of accuracy and a strategic enabler of the business.
Qualifications- 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting leadership, with at least 5 years in a global controllership role.
- CPA, ACA, or equivalent required; MBA a plus.
- Deep expertise in financial reporting, audits, internal controls, and compliance.
- Proven experience building and implementing a global controls framework.
- Strong track record with ERP/technology transformation (SAP, Oracle, Workday, or similar).
- Demonstrated ability to lead or scale accounting organizations.
- Solid background in standard costing, manufacturing finance, and cost analysis.
- Excellent knowledge of US GAAP.
- Recognized as a transformer and builder-capable of simplifying complexity and modernizing global functions.
- Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire and develop high-performing, global teams.
The Ideal CandidateWe want a game changer who:
- Is a hands-on player-coach leader who isn't afraid to dive into the systems, data, and details alongside their team.
- Can support the implementation of global standard costing to bring clarity to product profitability and cost management.
- Is able to prioritize alignment of financial reporting, controls, and audits into a seamless, world-class framework.
- Can instill discipline without bureaucracy, enabling Finance to protect and partner with the business
- Is excited to modernize processes and systems to deliver speed, accuracy, and insight at scale.
Salary Range: $150,000-$180,000 USD Annually
Bonus Eligible
