A privately held, long-established company in the Lenexa, Kansas area is seeking a
Controller to lead its accounting and finance function through a once-in-a-generation transition. This is a unique opportunity for a hands-on accounting leader who can absorb decades of institutional knowledge, build trust with ownership and the existing team, and then help modernize systems, processes, and financial operations for the next chapter of the business.
This is not a maintenance role. The incoming Controller will spend the initial transition period learning the business directly from a 40-year incumbent before assuming full ownership of the finance function, leading the accounting team, partnering directly with the Owner/CEO, and helping drive a future ERP implementation and broader process transformation.
What You'll Do as the Controller:- Work closely with the retiring Controller during an extended transition period to learn the company's accounting processes, systems, history, and operating rhythms
- Take ownership of the full accounting function as the transition progresses
- Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll, commission payouts, invoicing, and General Ledger activity
- Lead month-end and year-end close processes
- Manage external audit coordination and serve as a primary contact for banking relationships
- Maintain tax compliance and support 401(k) administration and related reporting
- Lead and develop an accounting team that includes an Accounting Supervisor, an AR Specialist, and two remote AR team members
- Provide accurate financial reporting and strategic insight to ownership
- Build strong working relationships with the Owner/CEO, accounting team, auditors, banks, and other business partners
- Identify outdated, redundant, or overly manual accounting processes after fully understanding why they exist
- Help evaluate, select, and implement a new ERP system
- Modernize workflows and financial systems while protecting operational stability
- Bring forward thoughtful process improvements and help shape the future structure of the finance function
- Serve as the senior finance leader in the organization with a potential long-term path toward CFO-level responsibility
Must-Haves as the Controller:- 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience
- Controller-level experience or equivalent responsibility for a full accounting function
- Hands-on experience across AP, AR, Payroll, General Ledger, close, audit, and financial reporting
- Experience managing and developing an accounting team
- Proven experience navigating at least one meaningful systems transition, ERP implementation, accounting transformation, or comparable change initiative
- Strong understanding of GAAP and financial controls
- Ability to operate as both a strategic leader and a hands-on working Controller
- Strong emotional intelligence and ability to build credibility with ownership and long-tenured employees
- Patience and maturity to learn an established system before attempting to change it
- Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a founder-led or privately held environment
- Long-term mindset and willingness to commit through a substantial transition period
- Ability to work fully onsite in the Lenexa, KS area
Nice-to-Haves as the Controller:- Prior ERP implementation leadership
- Experience replacing or succeeding a long-tenured Controller or finance leader
- Experience in a small-to-mid-sized privately held company
- Experience working directly with an Owner/CEO
- Background modernizing manual or spreadsheet-heavy accounting environments
- Experience with commission-based payroll or complex payroll structures
- Strong banking, treasury, or cash management experience
- Experience leading accounting teams through significant process change
- Interest in growing into a future CFO-level role
This Role Offers:- Base salary of $135,000-$165,000, depending on experience
- Potential flexibility up to approximately $175,000 for an exceptional candidate with strong ERP implementation experience and outstanding cultural fit
- Potential staged compensation structure tied to successful transition and expanded ownership of the role
- Direct access to the Owner/CEO and a genuine seat at the leadership table
- No CFO above this role, creating significant autonomy and visibility
- Extended 6-9 month knowledge-transfer period with the retiring Controller
- Opportunity to lead a future ERP implementation and modernization effort
- Long-term path toward broader finance leadership and potential CFO-level responsibility
- Stable, privately held company with more than 60 years of operating history
- Opportunity to shape the future of the accounting and finance function rather than simply maintain an existing system
- Benefits package including health coverage, 401(k), PTO, and additional company benefits, with final details to be confirmed
