Controller

United Petroleum Transports

JOB DESCRIPTION

Controller (Fuel Transportation)

Location: Oklahoma City, OK
Reports to: Chief Accounting Officer (CAO)

About the Role

We are seeking a Controller to lead accounting operations in a fast-paced fuel transportation and logistics environment. This role is responsible for owning the monthly close, strengthening financial processes, and leading a high-performing accounting team.  The organization is a multi-divisional enterprise with a demonstrated track record of growth through acquisition. With an ongoing acquisition strategy, the company offers a dynamic environment where integration, scalability, and continuous improvement are key themes.

This is not a “close support” position.
This role owns the close process, team execution, and accounting operations end-to-end. 

The right candidate will combine strong technical accounting skills with the ability to drive accountability, improve processes, and operate effectively in a high-volume, operationally driven business.

What You’ll Own

Monthly Close Leadership (Core Responsibility)

• Own and manage the full monthly close cycle across multiple entities and operational inputs
• Establish and enforce close timelines, deliverables, and accountability standards
• Ensure close is completed accurately, efficiently, and on schedule with minimal escalation

Accounting Operations & Team Leadership

• Lead and develop accounting staff
• Set clear expectations and ensure consistent performance and deadlines
• Address performance issues directly and proactively
• Build a culture of accountability and execution

Process Improvement & Scalability

• Improve and streamline close processes in a high-transaction environment
• Reduce manual work and eliminate inefficiencies across accounting functions
• Develop and maintain documented, repeatable processes 
• Strengthen internal controls appropriate for a growing transportation operation

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with operations, dispatch, and other departments to ensure timely financial inputs
• Proactively address delays and enforce deadlines outside of accounting when needed
• Ensure financial reporting aligns with operational realities of fuel transportation

What Success Looks Like (First 90 Days)

• Controller has fully taken ownership of the monthly close process
• Close operates with reduced CAO involvement and minimal escalation
• Team roles and expectations are clearly defined and being enforced
• Key processes are documented and repeatable
• Bottlenecks in close and reporting have been identified and addressed

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Proven experience owning or leading a monthly close process
• Experience managing accounting teams in a multi-entity or operational environment
• General understanding of treasury and finance concepts

Strongly Preferred Experience

• Experience in transportation, logistics, fuel, energy, or similar operational industries
• Master of Business Administration or Master of Accountancy
• Exposure to inventory, fuel accounting, or high-volume transactional environments
• Experience working in a fast-paced, deadline-driven close cycle
• Experience with mergers and acquisitions

Bonus (Not Required)

• Public accounting experience
• CPA designation or progress toward CPA
• Experience with internal controls, SOX-like environments, or audit readiness

Critical Success Competencies

We are specifically looking for someone who demonstrates:

• Ownership mindset – drives outcomes independently, not through escalation
• Accountability leadership – sets expectations and enforces them consistently
• Operational discipline – can manage complexity and high transaction volume
• Process orientation – builds systems that reduce reliance on individuals
• Leadership presence – can step into ambiguity and create structure

What This Role Is Not

This role is not a fit for candidates who:

• Prefer to “support” rather than own outcomes
• Avoid addressing underperformance or accountability issues directly
• Rely on working longer hours instead of improving systems
• Need close oversight or frequent direction to manage execution
• Operate primarily as technical contributors without leadership impact

Why This Role Matters

We are strengthening our accounting function to better support a growing fuel transportation operation. This role is central to building a scalable, accountable, and efficient accounting organization that can support operational complexity without constant executive intervention.

Leadership Structure Note

The Controller is expected to independently own the monthly close and accounting execution. The CAO provides strategic oversight and direction but is not responsible for managing day-to-day close execution.