Controller

Location: Bluffton, South Carolina (In office, not remote)

About Spartina 449

Spartina 449 is a rapidly growing women's lifestyle brand specializing in apparel, handbags, jewelry, and accessories. With a strong presence across retail stores, wholesale partnerships, and e-commerce, we are an omnichannel organization dedicated to delivering exceptional products and experiences to our customers. As we continue to grow, we are seeking an experienced and strategic Controller to lead our accounting and financial reporting functions.

Position Summary

The Controller will be responsible for overseeing all accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance activities for a dynamic, omnichannel business. This role requires a highly analytical and hands-on leader with deep experience supporting retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels. The ideal candidate is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with a strong understanding of inventory accounting, margin analysis, cash management, and financial controls within a consumer products environment.

The Controller will partner closely with executive leadership to ensure the integrity of financial information and provide insights that support continued growth and operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, and inventory accounting.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close processes.
• Develop, maintain, and strengthen internal controls and accounting policies.
• Oversee cash flow management, banking relationships, and treasury activities.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as the primary liaison with external auditors and tax advisors.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax regulations.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning processes.
• Analyze financial results and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Monitor inventory valuation, costing, reserves, and gross margin performance across retail, wholesale, and e-commerce channels.
• Partner with operations, merchandising, supply chain, and sales teams to improve profitability and operational efficiencies.
• Evaluate and enhance accounting systems, processes, and reporting capabilities.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team.

Qualifications

• Active CPA designation required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; Master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Experience as a Controller or Assistant Controller within a consumer products, retail, fashion, or omnichannel business environment.
• Demonstrated experience supporting businesses with approximately $50 million or more in annual revenue.
• Strong understanding of inventory accounting, cost accounting, and multi-channel revenue recognition.
• Experience managing external audits and maintaining strong internal controls.
• Advanced knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Extensive experience with NetSuite ERP is required, including financial reporting, inventory management, and system optimization.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial analysis tools.
• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, growth-oriented environment.

Preferred Experience

• Fashion, apparel, accessories, or consumer products industry experience.
• Experience with omnichannel businesses operating across retail stores, wholesale, and e-commerce.
• Experience with NetSuite implementations, integrations, and process improvements.
• Experience scaling accounting functions to support growth and operational complexity.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work primarily in an office environment.
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working on a computer.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers for typing and operating office equipment.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by phone, and electronically.
• Occasionally required to lift and move items weighing up to 15 pounds.