Accountant

Position Summary

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a key member of the executive leadership team and is responsible for the overall financial strategy, performance, and integrity of one of the country’s largest beer and beverage wholesalers. The CFO oversees all finance, accounting, tax, treasury, risk management, and financial planning activities, while serving as a strategic advisor to the COO and ownership. This role is critical in a low-margin, high-volume, asset-intensive distribution environment with significant regulatory oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and execute the company’s financial strategy to support growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
• Serve as a strategic partner to the COO and executive team, providing analysis and insight to support key business decisions.
• Translate operational performance into clear financial narratives for ownership, lenders, and other key stakeholders.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) such as gross margin, operating expense ratios, cost to serve, inventory turns, cash conversion cycle, productivity/efficiency and profitability by: route, brand/supplier and customer segment.
• Perform scenario modeling for pricing, supplier changes, volume fluctuations, and expansion initiatives.

Accounting, Reporting & Controls

• Oversee all accounting functions, including monthly close, financial statements, audits, and GAAP compliance.
• Ensure accuracy, timeliness, and transparency of financial reporting for internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintain strong internal controls and safeguard company assets, including inventory, fleet, and real estate.

Cash Flow, Treasury & Capital Management

• Manage liquidity, working capital, and borrowing facilities in a capital-intensive distribution business.
• Optimize cash flow through inventory management, supplier terms, and disciplined capital expenditures.
• Lead banking and lender relationships, including covenant compliance and refinancing.

Inventory Control

• Oversee financial aspects of inventory control, valuation, and obsolescence, including out-of-code and breakage reserves.
• Partner with operations on daily and monthly inventory counts.
• Communicate and analyze inventory variances to reduce breakage and shrinkage.
• Perform internal control audits to ensure compliance

Risk Management & Compliance

• Oversee insurance programs, risk mitigation, and claims management (auto liability, workers’ compensation, general liability).
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including alcohol beverage laws and tax requirements.
• Manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies.

M&A, Growth & Strategic Initiatives

• Evaluate and support acquisitions, divestitures, supplier changes, and geographic expansion.
• Lead financial due diligence, valuation, and post-transaction integration efforts.
• Support investments in technology, fleet, warehouse automation, and system upgrades.
• Develop ROA/ROI on invested capital.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop high-performing finance, accounting, route accounting, inventory, credit, payables and payroll teams.
• Implement scalable systems, processes, and financial discipline to support growth.
• Foster a culture of accountability, transparency, data-driven decision making and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• Decades of experience in progressive financial leadership experience, preferably in beer, beverage, wholesale, consumer goods, or logistics/distribution environments.
• Strong understanding of inventory-driven businesses, cash flow management, and thin-margin operations.
• Knowledge of route-based distribution.
• Experience with large ERP systems such as Sage, Oracle, SAP, Hyperion as well as POS/ route accounting systems and data analytics
• Proven experience working with lenders, ownership groups, and executive leadership.
• Exceptional analytical, modeling, leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.
• Strong understanding of AI application in accounting and finance a plus.