Assistant Controller

Assistant Controller
Hybrid role
Charlotte based
Company Overview
Our client is a major player in the North American transportation and logistics industry, specializing in the leasing, maintenance, and management of intermodal and freight railcars. With operations spanning key freight transportation hubs in the U.S. and Canada, the company boasts a stable and profitable foundation with approximately $1.7 billion in annual revenue. The organization is privately held and enjoys significant backing from major North American railroads.
Position Overview
The Assistant Controller will be a key member of the finance team, reporting to the Controller and contributing to the overall financial integrity and operational success of the organization. This highly visible role includes responsibility for public reporting, internal controls, inventory accounting, corporate accounting, and payroll, alongside involvement in enterprise risk management and ESG initiatives. This position is ideal for a CPA with a blend of public accounting experience and expertise in ASC 606 and 842, looking to step into a leadership role with potential for growth to Controller within the next 1-2 years.
Key Responsibilities

• Public Reporting
  
  • Oversee the preparation and filing of GAAP-compliant financial statements.
  • Coordinate annual audits, collaborating with external auditors to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Inventory & Corporate Accounting
  
  • Manage inventory accounting, including valuation, reconciliation, and reporting.
  • Oversee daily accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger activities.
  • Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for management.
• Internal Controls & Enterprise Risk Management
  
  • Establish internal control policies and procedures to protect company assets.
  • Conduct regular audits of financial processes, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
  • Identify, assess, and manage financial risks, working cross-functionally to create mitigation strategies.
• Payroll Management
  
  • Ensure timely and accurate payroll processing and compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Oversee payroll-related expenses and support payroll reconciliation.
• ESG Initiatives
  
  • Support ESG strategy development and reporting.
  • Ensure compliance with ESG-related regulations and standards, contributing to the company's sustainability goals.

Qualifications

• Education & Certification
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA designation required.
• Experience
  
  • Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience, ideally with a blend of public accounting and industry experience.
  • Familiarity with ASC 606 and 842, with a solid understanding of GAAP and public reporting.
  • Proven track record in managing internal controls and financial consolidations.
• Technical Skills
  
  • Experience with ERP systems, particularly Oracle Fusion, is highly preferred.
• Leadership Skills
  
  • Demonstrated ability to hold others accountable, develop and empower team members, and work cross-functionally with a variety of departments.

Why Join Us?

• Stability and Growth : Known for its financial resilience, the company has a long history of paying bonuses at full (or above) rates, providing employees with both stability and growth potential.
• Path to Leadership : This role offers a clear pathway to the Controller position within 1-2 years, with senior leadership retirements creating future advancement opportunities.
• High Visibility and Impact : As a key member of the finance team, the Assistant Controller will have the chance to shape the organization's financial practices and drive meaningful change.

If you're an experienced CPA with a passion for financial excellence and team leadership in the transportation and logistics industry, we encourage you to apply and join a company where your skills and drive will be recognized and rewarded.
Vaco values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
EEO Notice
Vaco is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact .
Vaco also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal .
By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.
Privacy Notice
Vaco LLC and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco's HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here .
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here .
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here .
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here .
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here .

Pay Transparency Notice
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.