Assistant ControllerSample Job Descriptions, Salaries, and Interview Questions

Sample job description #1

Responsibilities

• Oversees and has responsibility for ensuring that the preparation of the Company’s SEC financial reporting on Form 10-Q, 10-K, and 8-K meets SEC requirements.
• Reviews quarterly earnings release and determines appropriateness of items to be included/excluded from Non-GAAP measures.
• Participates in the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes to ensure complete and accurate reporting.
• Communicates and explains accounting issues and evolving accounting guidance to the management team.
• Communicates directly with external auditors on financial statements and accounting issues to ensure agreement with Company’s decisions on accounting disclosures and issues.
• Prepares white papers for technical accounting matters.
• Establishes and publishes accounting policies.
• Ensures SOX compliance.

Requirements

• 5+ years’ experience working for a publicly traded organization.
• Knowledge of internal and external reporting, audit preparation
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA
• Manufacturing or distribution experience preferred

Sample job description #2

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership to the A/R, A/P and Billing team and for the day-to-day accounting and financial operations.
• Lead and optimize accounting and financial operations, incl. process optimization, systems optimization and integration etc.
• Responsible for monitoring performed by reviewing AP systems and banking program access where applicable.
• Assist with the internal monitoring of the purchase order process by the accounting function.
• Responsible for Accounts Receivable cash application reconciliation and oversight
• Ensuring proper verification and approval of routing and account numbers for electronic payments.
• Resolve customer deductions in collaboration with sales and customer service teams
• Responsible for developing and maintaining treasury and Account Receivables / Payables principles, practices and procedures to ensure accurate and timely financials statements.
• Ensure the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal controls relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements are free from material misstatement.
• Ensure an accurate and timely daily, monthly, quarterly and year-end close.
• Establish and maintain disclosure controls and procedures and effective internal control over financial reporting for the Company.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly and quarterly management and regulatory reports.
• Supervises the execution of all aspects of cash management operating strategies
• Develops and manages cash flow forecasting process, analysis, & reporting
• Work as a liaison to external auditors
• Actively drive continuous improvement opportunities in process, policies, and standards
• Partner closely with Controller to drive accounting policy alignment, reporting quality and timeliness
• Responsible for all areas relating to external financial reporting and technical accounting.
• Responsible for financial reporting, internal control documentation with respect to external reporting, technical accounting, process improvement and audit preparation.
• Support budget and forecasting activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in Accounting
• MBA or Master’s Degree preferred
• 5+ years of experience
• Prior management experience and ability to lead a team
• Ability to tactfully interact with all business stakeholders for requests and resolution of issues
• Strong skills in Microsoft Office Suite particularly Excel and Power Point

Sample job description #3

What you will do

Under general direction of the VP, Finance, the Assistant Corporate Controller will manage and oversee the daily operations of the accounting department including:

• Revenue recognition, Invoicing, Accounts payable/receivable, payroll, bank account reconciliations, journal entries & general ledger
• Month/quarter/year-end close processes/reporting
• Treasury and budgeting, cash flow forecasting
• Revenue and expenditure variance analysis
• Identification of cost control opportunities throughout the P&L
• Maintain the Company’s accounting system in compliance with the requirements of the FAR and manage any pre-award and/or DCAA audits
• Indirect Rate calculations and Summary Cost Management Reporting
• Establish and enforce proper accounting methods, policies and principles
• Coordinate with 3rd party CPA/tax firm and complete audits
• Develop and improve systems and procedures and initiate corrective actions
• Manage insurance renewals and issues
• Assign projects and direct staff to ensure compliance and accuracy
• Lead, coach, and mentor team; conduct annual review process

Who you are

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance or Accounting
• CPA or CMA a plus
• Strong technical accounting background with 5+ years’ experience, preferably in the federal contracting industry
• 2+ years of project accounting experience (ASC606 experience)
• Technical and comprehensive knowledge of all finance, financial planning, accounting and tax areas of a government contracting businesses including an excellent understanding of GAAP, FAR and DCAA requirements
• Expertise in Quickbooks Online Advanced as well as time management systems and integrations
• Experience selecting, implementing, and operating in various account systems (i.e, Netsuite, Unanet, Deltek, etc.)
• Strong analytical capabilities including the ability to leverage financial data to design and generate critical business reports
• Excellent computer skills including all MS Office and Google Workspace applications, as well as low-code and no-code software
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail and skills in planning and organization
• Ability to work independently to solve challenging problems and exercise sound judgement

Sample interview questions

• How would you improve accounting processes?
• How do you monitor different accounting functions?
• What accounting software programs are you familiar with?
• What experience do you have in establishing internal controls?
• Do you work well under pressure?
• What systems have you developed to reduce/eliminate errors in your work?
• What environment do you feel you do your best work in?
• What do you expect from the other people you work with?
• How do you see your profession evolving in the future?
• What is your auditing process for reports that you have delegated to other team members?
• Describe how you prioritize work?
• What are three attributes that you would look for when hiring junior members on our team?
• What do you enjoy most about being an assistant controller?