Assistant Controller

Job Summary:

Simply Southern is a nationally recognized apparel brand that celebrates the preppy American lifestyle. Founded in Greensboro, NC in 2005, Simply Southern has been creating vibrant, catchy t-shirts and clothing for more than a decade. Simply Southern began as a small apparel kiosk in a mall in 2005. Today, Simply Southern is sold by over 6,000 independent retailers and has 34 of our own retail stores throughout 16 states. Between our corporate office, production facility, and retail locations, Simply Southern employs over 400 people. Simply Southern is passionate about helping the less fortunate and using our success for good. Simply Southern donates to a variety of organizations but are best known for our efforts to help sea turtle conservation and ChildFund International. To date, Simply Southern has donated over $6 million in cash and merchandise.

Simply Southern is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to join our Accounting and Finance team. This position will work closely with the CFO and Director of Accounting & HR and will play a key role in the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of the Company’s financial reporting.

The Assistant Controller will help lead the month-end close process, review account reconciliations and journal entries, oversee key accounting functions, analyze financial activity, strengthen internal controls, and provide guidance and support to the accounting team.

This position requires someone who can do more than process accounting transactions. The successful candidate must be able to understand the financial statements as a whole, identify when something does not look right, research discrepancies, independently review the work of others, and take ownership of resolving issues.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Coordinate and manage the monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes to ensure financial statements are complete, accurate, and timely.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, and supporting schedules and review entries prepared by other members of the accounting team.
• Prepare monthly bank reconciliations and balance sheet account reconciliations, research discrepancies, and ensure outstanding items are resolved timely.
• Review the general ledger and monthly financial statements for accuracy, completeness, unusual activity, and significant variances.
• Analyze revenue, expenses, margins, and other financial activity and investigate significant or unexpected variances.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and supporting accounting records.
• Provide oversight and support for Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, invoicing, claims, and other transactional accounting functions.
• Manage and review multi-state sales tax filings, property tax reporting, annual Forms 1099, and other required accounting-related filings.
• Assist with external audits, tax preparation, financial reviews, and information requests from external advisors.
• Develop, document, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, strengthen controls, increase efficiency, and reduce manual processes.
• Assist with ERP and accounting system enhancements, implementations, testing, and other technology-related accounting projects.
• Research accounting issues and recommend appropriate treatment in accordance with U.S. GAAP and Company policies.
• Review the work of accounting staff and provide guidance, training, and feedback to promote accuracy, accountability, and professional development.
• Work closely with the CFO and Director of Accounting & HR to identify accounting issues, financial risks, and matters requiring management attention.
• Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, general ledger accounting, and month-end close procedures.
• Strong understanding of financial statements and the relationship between the income statement, balance sheet, and general ledger.
• Ability to prepare accurate bank and account reconciliations, identify discrepancies, and independently research and resolve outstanding items.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to recognize unusual activity, inconsistencies, and potential errors.
• Exceptional attention to detail with a demonstrated commitment to accuracy and completeness.
• Ability to independently review financial information and the work of others rather than relying solely on system-generated reports or processes.
• Ability to prepare and review journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and other accounting schedules.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet recurring deadlines.
• Ability to work independently, take ownership of responsibilities, and follow issues through to resolution with limited supervision.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to provide guidance, training, and support to accounting staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to communicate effectively with both accounting and non-accounting personnel.
• Strong professional judgment and willingness to research unfamiliar accounting or reporting issues.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, lookups, PivotTables, and analysis of large data sets.
• Proficiency with ERP and accounting systems; Acumatica or similar mid-market ERP experience preferred.
• Experience with multi-state sales tax, inventory accounting, and/or a retail, wholesale, or distribution environment preferred.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience with general ledger accounting, month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Experience preparing and analyzing monthly financial statements and investigating account and financial statement variances required.
• Prior experience reviewing the work of other accounting staff and providing accounting guidance or supervision preferred.
• Experience working with external auditors, tax professionals, and other financial advisors preferred.
• Experience in a multi-location, inventory-based, retail, wholesale, or distribution environment preferred.
• Experience with ERP systems required; Acumatica experience is a plus.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Ability to perform work requiring extensive use of a computer, spreadsheets, and financial systems.