Financial Controller

Carrot-Top Industries DBA Freedom and Glory is an e-commerce and B2B distribution company based in Hillsborough, NC. We operate two national brands - FreedomandGlory.com and AmericanFlags.com- serving the armed forces, schools, municipalities, and patriotic Americans with flags and patriotic merchandise. With approximately 25 employees and a lean leadership team, we value operational excellence, data-driven decision-making, and building sustainable processes.Our Core Values:Small Actions Spark Big Change: We believe the little things matter. We show care, intention, and pride in every interaction because each moment is a chance to make someone’s day better and move the business forward.Keep At It: We show up through challenges. We stay curious, keep improving, and focus on long-term progress over quick fixes. Consistency and learning fuel our growth.Stronger Together: We believe great work is built with others. We collaborate, communicate openly, and lift each other up. Shared responsibility creates stronger outcomes for our customers and our team.Actions Speak Louder: We follow through. We take ownership, act with integrity, and let results speak for us. We choose responsibility over excuses and initiative over waiting.Position SummaryThe Controller oversees all financial operations, reporting, and controls. This hands-on leadership role requires someone who can execute day-to-day accounting functions and provide strategic financial insights to ownership. You will directly supervise the Finance Manager and work closely with the CEO to drive profitability, optimize cash flow, and build scalable financial processes. This role isn't for someone who inherits systems; you will build, improve, and own them.Core Responsibilities - Financial Reporting & CloseOwn the monthly and quarterly close process, ensuring accuracy and timelinessMaintain the general ledger, reconciliations, and accruals in NetSuitePrepare and present financial statements to leadership with variance analysisEnsure multi-brand P&L tracking keeps each brand's profitability visible and separateCash Flow & Working CapitalForecast cash flow and manage working capital to support seasonal inventory buildsOversee AR collections and AP to optimize payment terms and vendor relationshipsApprove vendor payments over $50K threshold; review weekly AP runsMaintain banking relationshipsBudgeting & AnalysisBuild and manage annual budgets with departmental inputProvide monthly budget vs. actual analysis with actionable insightsSupport strategic planning with financial modeling and scenario analysisTrack inventory/COGS accuracy, critical for e-commerce marginsInternal Controls & ComplianceDesign, document, and enforce internal controls to prevent fraudEnsure compliance with financial regulations and company policiesCoordinate sales tax compliance across all jurisdictionsWork with external CPAs on income tax preparation and auditsInventory Control & Warehouse PartnershipOwn inventory accounting in NetSuite, including valuation, costing, and COGS accuracy, which drive our e-commerce marginsPartner with the warehouse team on cycle counts (Smartcounts).Design and enforce controls for receiving, adjustments, transfers, and write-offs so every movement of inventory is documented and approvedMonitor shrink, damaged goods, and slow-moving or obsolete stock, and recommend reserves or write-downs when neededWork with purchasing and the warehouse to plan seasonal inventory builds so stock levels support demand without tying up cashPeople & Process LeadershipSupervise the Finance Manager; set objectives and provide developmentReview and approve payroll, expense reports, and commissionsOptimize NetSuite usage; you should be able to leverage the ERP deeper than we do todayPartner with leadership team (CEO, VP Sales/Marketing) on cross-functional initiativesSecondary ResponsibilitiesHR finance overlap: benefits renewal coordination, employee file management, SimpleIRA enrollmentSupport company insurance renewals and risk managementNotarization of documents as needed (state attestations, vendor procurement)Additional duties as assignedQualificationsRequiredBachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field5+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience, with 2+ years in a supervisory roleStrong NetSuite experience (non-negotiable)Multi-entity or multi-brand accounting experienceE-commerce, distribution, or inventory-based business experienceDemonstrated ability to build processes, not just inherit themProficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modelingPreferredCPA or CMA certificationExperience with EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)Background in companies with $10-25M revenueFamiliarity with sales tax compliance across multiple statesExperience with inventory cycle counting programs and NetSuite inventory or WMS modulesKey CompetenciesAnalytical mindset—you see patterns and drive insights, not just produce reportsOwnership mentality—you take responsibility and follow through without being managedProcess orientation—you document, systematize, and improveClear communication—you can explain financial implications to non-finance leadersAttention to detail with ability to see the big pictureHands-on collaboration: you’re comfortable on the warehouse floor and build strong working relationships with operations teamsWho You AreYou’re a hands-on finance expert who does your best work when you’re trusted to own it. You’ll likely recognize yourself in these traits:Independent thinker: You’re a self-starter who doesn’t need close supervision. You make decisions based on the numbers and your own sound logic, and you’re comfortable owning the outcome.Direct and factual: You prefer focused work to small talk. You explain things clearly and to the point, and you let accurate, timely work speak for itself.Fast-moving and energized by variety: You work with urgency and enjoy a fast pace. Month-end deadlines, seasonal inventory builds, and shifting priorities energize you, and a job that’s the same every day would bore you.Structured but flexible: You build solid processes and controls, then use them as a foundation for solving problems instead of a rulebook to hide behind. When something breaks, you dig in, find the root cause, and adapt quickly.If you’d rather build a better system than follow an outdated one, we’d like to hear from you.Our Hiring Process: Culture IndexAt Freedom and Glory, we use Culture Index to understand how people work, communicate, and do their best. Every candidate who moves on to the interview phase will be asked to complete a short Culture Index survey. Our whole team, employees and contractors alike, has taken it too. The survey is not anonymous, because the goal is to know our people well so we can lead, communicate, and manage better.What to expect:Set aside 5 to 10 uninterrupted minutes. Read carefully and select every word that applies to you. There are no right or wrong answers.Take it in your strongest language. You can pick yours under "Language" once you open the survey.Use a computer rather than a tablet or phone for the best experience.Small actions spark big change. If you're invited to interview, we'll send you your survey link.Physical Requirements & Working ConditionsThis position requires extended periods of sitting at a workstation in an office environment. The worker is required to have close visual acuity for preparing and analyzing data, extensive reading, and viewing data on a computer monitor. Occasional lifting of objects up to 25 lbs may be required. Work is performed inside an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature.Equal Opportunity EmployerFreedom and Glory is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.