Interim Financial Controller

Magnet is helping our client, a Global leader in the Consumer Product space, look for an Interim Financial Controller (6-9 month contract) to join their North America Control and Accounting team. This interim 6–9 month role is designed to backfill Control leadership and support staff as the team executes a major transformation project, ensuring continuity of day-to-day controllership activities across North America.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on team player who can execute direction from the North America Controller, stabilize routines for close, reporting, and compliance, and partner effectively with cross-functional stakeholders. The role includes stepping in for Control leadership as needed, triaging issues, and providing clear guidance to staff during a period of significant change.

DURATION: Interim (6-9 months) REPORTING TO: NA Controller

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

ACCOUNTING & CONTROL

• Lead the way on documenting roles and processes across the Control team to make sure there are standardized operating procedures for all tasks at all levels.This will be one of the main responsibilities of this interim project role.
• Help with the month-end and quarter-end close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting while maintaining continuity of standard work during the project period.
• Assist with indirect tax compliance and reporting requirements applicable to the business (e.g., sales and use tax, excise tax, and other indirect taxes), partnering with Tax and external advisors as needed.
• Champion a strong internal control environment and ensure compliance with Global Control Standards (GCS) and corporate policies.
• Support systems implementations and enhancements (e.g., AR automation), including participating in testing, issue triage, and readiness activities.
• Execute priorities set by the NA Controller; proactively identify issues, drive follow-through, and ensure day-to-day controllership work stays on track during the project period.
• Serve as the primary controllership point of contact for escalations when Control leadership is unavailable, ensuring timely decisions and clear communication to staff.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and mitigate financial and operational risks as they arise.
• Ensure compliance with US GAAP accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain documentation and controls to support internal compliance reviews.

Leadership & People Development

• Provide day-to-day leadership and coaching to accounting staff; act as a trusted advisor and delegate for the NA Controller during the project period.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• Ensure alignment of AR/AP processes with North American standards and controls.
• Provide guidance and support to staff as processes, systems, and ways of working evolve during the transformation project.

Policy Implementation & Standardization

• Implement and reinforce North America accounting policies, procedures, and standard work across applicable business units.
• Drive consistency and standardization of financial processes and reporting.
• Provide leadership during new AR systems implementation.
• Extensive work documenting key accounting processes.

Experience & Expertise

In addition to the necessary skills and experience to perform the responsibilities outlined above, there are several traits that the successful candidate will possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required; CPA or equivalent designation desirable
• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in accounting, with a focus on accounts receivable, tax and general accounting operations.
• Experience working on key accounting processes including accounts receivable, intercompany transactions, and fixed assets.
• Proven experience leading internal control initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to implement change and influence cross-functional teams.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, Cognos, TM1).
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to adapt to and implement change