Controller

Kennicott is a leading importer and distributor of fresh flowers, plants, and floral design supplies. Our mission is to deliver top-quality floral products to neighborhood florists, event designers, and mass retailers across the country. With 15 local wholesale flower markets spanning the Midwest, Southeast, and East Coast, we have deep roots in the Chicago area and have been serving our customers since 1881.

We are seeking a Controller as a key and trusted financial leader, responsible for overseeing the company’s accounting operations, compliance, accuracy in financial reporting, and providing financial insight to support strategic decisions.

The Controller has high visibility to our Leadership Team and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer.

Salary: $130,000 - $200,000 annual base salary with 20% bonus potential + annual equity compensation through our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (“ESOP”)

Hybrid role

Duties/Responsibilities

• Oversees and has responsibility for the team and operations of the Accounting Department, which includes financial reporting, treasury, accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit, and payroll.
• Maintains a documented system of accounting policies and procedures; implements a system of controls over accounting transactions to minimize risk.
• Oversees the preparation of periodic financial reports; ensures that the reported results comply with generally accepted accounting principles.
• Recommend benchmarks that will be used to measure the company’s performance.
• Proactively identify variances and trends in results, creating business intelligence that drives performance improvement.
• Supports the CFO with evaluating strategic initiatives; including M&A, minority investments, and other new opportunities.
• Supports the preparation of the annual budget and forecasts; reports significant budget differences to management.
• Manages the annual financial audit and benefit plan audit.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and federal government requirements.
• Manages annual insurance renewals and supports claim administration.
• Administration of Kennicott’s ESOP and 401k retirement programs.
  
  

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance.
• 8 years of related work experience; preferably at companies with perishable inventory.
• 5 years’ experience leading direct reports.
• Experience with a multi-site operating business a plus.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation preferred.
• Experience with NetSuite a plus (but not required).
• Experience working at an ESOP a plus (but not required).
  
  

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $130,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance
  
  

Schedule

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday
  
  

Supplemental Pay

• Yearly bonus