Controller
Position Description
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Date Issued:
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April 2026
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Department:
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Finance & Accounting
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Reports to:
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Chief Executive Officer / CAO
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Location:
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Van Nuys, CA (On-Site)
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FLSA Status:
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Exempt
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Position Purpose:
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Capstone Green Energy is seeking a hands-on Controller to own the full accounting function for a lean, growing publicly traded manufacturing operation in Los Angeles. Reporting directly to senior leadership, this role is the financial backbone of the organization, responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of all financial information.
The ideal candidate brings solid technical accounting skills, genuine comfort operating as a team of one (or close to it), and the emotional intelligence to build trust across a cross-functional team in a fast-moving environment. This is a highly visible role with direct impact on company decision-making and long-term financial health.
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Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, including preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
- Maintain general ledger integrity; manage all journal entries, reconciliations, and month-end accruals.
- Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll processing, fixed assets, and inventory accounting.
- Prepare management reporting packages with variance analysis and clear commentary for leadership.
- Manages the preparation of the Company’s Form 10Q, Form 10K and other SEC filings.
- Coordinate and support the annual financial review or audit with external accountants.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
- Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling forecasts.
- Provide cost analysis and margin reporting to support manufacturing and operational decisions.
- Track and report on key financial and operational KPIs; flag risks and opportunities proactively.
- Support ad hoc financial analysis for strategic planning, pricing, and capital decisions.
Treasury & Cash Management
- Manage daily cash position, cash flow forecasting, and banking relationships.
- Oversee AP disbursement timing and AR collections to optimize working capital.
- Support vendor negotiations and payment terms management.
Compliance, Controls & Tax
- Establish and maintain internal controls appropriate for a small business environment.
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax obligations; coordinate with outside tax advisors for preparation and filing.
- Maintain sales tax compliance across applicable jurisdictions.
- Ensure compliance with payroll taxes, workers’ compensation, and related financial regulations.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Serve as the primary owner and administrator of the accounting/ERP system.
- Identify and implement process improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
- Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures documentation.
Cross-Functional Partnership
- Partner with operations, supply chain, and commercial teams to provide financial visibility and support sound decision-making.
- Communicate financial results and insights clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
- Serve as a trusted resource to leadership — candid, solutions-oriented, and proactive.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- 5–8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including time in a Controller or senior accounting role.
- Experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or product-based business strongly preferred.
- Experience with Public company accounting, reporting and compliance (SEC/10K/10Q)
- Prior experience in an organization with annual revenue under $500M; comfort functioning as a department of one or a small team.
- Strong command of GAAP, financial close processes, and cost accounting fundamentals.
- Proficiency with accounting software (QuickBooks, NetSuite, Sage, or similar) and advanced Excel.
- High emotional intelligence: self-aware, adaptable, collaborative, and able to give and receive direct feedback constructively.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, able to translate financial data into plain language for non-financial audiences.
- High integrity, ownership mindset, and strong attention to detail.
Preferred
- CPA certification (active or inactive).
- Experience in a post-restructuring or rapidly evolving business environment.
- Familiarity with inventory management, standard costing, or manufacturing ERP modules.
- Experience mentoring or managing junior accounting staff.
Beyond the technical credentials, we are looking for someone who leads with humility and communicates with clarity. The right person for this role:
- Builds trust quickly by listening well and following through consistently.
- Stays calm and resourceful under pressure; handles ambiguity without sacrificing rigor.
- Speaks up when something doesn’t look right and does so constructively.
- Takes ownership of problems and brings solutions, not just observations.
- Adapts their communication style to the audience, from the shop floor to the executive team.
- Is energized by a lean environment where their work directly shapes the company.
- Motivated, self-directed, and proactively seeks ways to add value without waiting to be asked.
- Financial statements close accurately and on time every month.
- Leadership has reliable, real-time visibility into cash position, costs, and performance.
- Accounting processes are documented, scalable, and audit-ready.
- Cross-functional partners view the Controller as a trusted resource, not a bottleneck.
- Tax and compliance obligations are met proactively, with no surprises.
- On-site role at our Van Nuys, CA manufacturing facility.
- Extensive periods of sitting and computer use.
- Willingness to work beyond a standard 40-hour workweek.
- Compensation: $150,000 – $200,000 per year, commensurate with experience
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Employee Signature:
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Date:
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This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
All duties and responsibilities are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills or abilities that the incumbent(s) must possess to successfully perform each duty proficiently. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.
