Controller – Wholesale Footwear & Fashion
Azalea Wang is seeking a hands-on Controller to lead accounting and finance operations for our fast-growing wholesale footwear and fashion business. This role is ideal for someone with strong experience in wholesale apparel, footwear, retail, inventory accounting, and high-volume operations.
We partner with major national retailers including Urban Outfitters and Von Maur and operate in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where ownership and problem-solving are critical.
This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for the full accounting cycle, financial reporting, inventory accounting, AR/AP operations, process improvements, and cross-functional financial support.
The Position: Controller (Wholesale Footwear & Fashion)
Location: Chicago, IL - Onsite
Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Month-End Close
Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process
Prepare financial statements, reconciliations, variance analysis, and reporting
Maintain general ledger accuracy and ensure audit-ready financials
Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning
Wholesale AR/AP & Vendor Management
Manage wholesale accounts receivable, retailer deductions, chargebacks, and remittance reconciliation
Oversee accounts payable, vendor reconciliations, and payment processing
Partner with sales, operations, and EDI teams to resolve billing and compliance issues
Manage domestic and international vendor relationships
Inventory & Cost Accounting
Oversee inventory accounting, reconciliations, reserves, and COGS reporting
Partner with merchandising and operations on costing and inventory controls
Support physical inventory counts and inventory analysis
Systems & Process Improvement
Serve as accounting lead for NetSuite ERP and financial reporting workflows
Improve accounting processes, controls, automation, and reporting efficiency
Support system implementations and integrations as needed
Leadership
Manage and mentor accounting team members
Partner cross-functionally with leadership, sales, merchandising, logistics, and operations
Support audits, strategic initiatives, and business decision-making
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance
CPA preferred
7+ years of accounting experience in wholesale apparel, footwear, fashion, retail, or consumer goods
Strong experience with:
Month-end close
Inventory accounting & cost accounting
Wholesale AR/AP
Retail deductions & chargebacks
Financial reporting & reconciliations
ERP systems (NetSuite preferred)
Advanced Excel skills
Experience managing teams in fast-paced, high-volume environment
We are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. Compensation for this position (Pay Range $130,000 - $160,000) will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process.
Job Type: Full-Time