Accounting Controller

LaQuan Smith

New York, NY, USA

Published: 6/14/2022

Full Time

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

Partner directly with the CEO and executive team to shape and execute our long-term financial vision.
Lead the annual budgeting process, along with quarterly reforecasting cycles aligned with brand initiatives and seasonal campaigns.
Build strategic financial models to assess the viability of new markets, product lines, and special projects.
Manage rolling 12-month cash flow forecasts to support executive planning and production cycles.
Serve as the primary financial liaison for external partners, including investors, banks, factor companies, and key stakeholders.

Financial Planning for Drop-Based & Seasonal Business

Design detailed financial planning tools tailored to drop-based inventory cycles.
Analyze post-drop performance metrics to inform future product, pricing, and promotional strategies.
Forecast production costs, timelines, and cash requirements based on seasonal calendars.
Collaborate with merchandising to create pricing strategies for limited-edition and high-demand collections.
Drive capital efficiency by optimizing working capital across varying inventory rhythms.

Cost Control & Compliance

Oversee day-to-day financial operations and ensure accurate and timely accounting procedures.
Implement and monitor cost control initiatives across departments to improve margins.
Lead external audit processes and ensure compliance with GAAP and other applicable standards.
Maintain financial discipline across departments, ensuring compliance with both internal policies and external regulations.

Operational Finance & Departmental Analysis

Partner with department heads to design and manage departmental P&Ls.
Build and standardize cost tracking systems to enhance visibility into spending across design, production, marketing, and operations.
Lead monthly financial reviews to identify trends, deviations, and areas of opportunity.
Guide quarterly business reviews focused on operational KPIs and financial health.
Oversee the monthly close process and produce clear, accurate financial reports for executive review.

Design Budget Management

Collaborate with the Design and Development teams to define cost parameters for each collection.
Develop collection budgets that balance creative ambition with financial prudence.
Analyze profitability by collection and style to guide future design investment.
Create metrics to evaluate design performance beyond aesthetics—prioritizing profitability and production feasibility.
Streamline sample production to align creative vision with operational efficiency.

Accounts Receivable Management

Establish systems to manage and reconcile wholesale accounts in a timely and transparent manner.
Implement processes for proactive invoice collection, including aging reports and early-warning indicators for at-risk accounts.
Partner with the sales team to define payment terms that balance client relationships with cash flow goals.
Improve cash forecasting models by integrating historical collection trends and drop-specific data.
Drive monthly reporting improvements that deliver clarity on AR health and collection timelines.

Accounts Payable Strategy

Streamline AP workflows to ensure consistent and accurate processing of vendor payments.
Implement scalable approval hierarchies and scheduling systems to balance vendor satisfaction with internal cash management.
Oversee invoice and payment scheduling in alignment with production and shipping calendars.
Take advantage of early payment discounts where appropriate to improve margins.
Coordinate month-end close processes for payables and reconcile with external accounting partners.
Develop contingency plans for periods of cash flow compression, particularly around large-scale production runs or seasonal launches.

Team Building & Financial Culture

Recruit, lead, and mentor a growing finance team, fostering a culture of ownership, precision, and agility.
Create and implement financial policies that scale with the business and reinforce accountability.
Provide financial training to department heads and empower cross-functional teams with tools to manage their budgets effectively.
Serve as a coach and resource for junior finance team members, fostering professional growth and long-term capability building.

Investor Relations & Capital Strategy

Develop high-impact investor materials, including quarterly updates, board decks, and fundraising documentation.
Create and refine financial models that support valuation conversations and investment strategy.
Lead due diligence for future funding rounds and partnerships.
Maintain a clean and auditable cap table, working closely with legal and investor teams.
Identify and track key metrics that align with investor expectations and long-term company goals.

Reporting Structure

Reports To:

Direct Reports:

Required Qualifications & Skills

CPA, CA, ACCA, or equivalent accounting certification required
Minimum 10 years of finance experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role within luxury fashion, consumer brands, or DTC e-commerce
Proven success in managing finances across both wholesale and DTC channels
Strong understanding of international operations and multi-currency accounting
Advanced Excel skills and demonstrated expertise in financial modeling
Familiarity with fashion industry financing tools, including factor partners like Hilldun
Experience with digital commerce platforms, particularly Shopify Plus and Global-E
Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills

Success Metrics in the First 12 Months