Controller – DS&L Group Holdings, Inc.
Location: Itasca, IL
Position Type: Full-Time
Department: Accounting & Finance
Reports To: Leadership / Board Liaison
Salary Range: $100,000 – $115,000 per year
About the Role
DS&L Group Holdings, Inc. (Display Supply & Lighting) is seeking an experienced, hands-on Controller to lead our accounting department and serve as a strategic partner to executive leadership. Based in Itasca, IL, you will take ownership of daily accounting management, cash flow visibility, cost accounting, and project profitability.
A primary strategic initiative for this role will be driving our upcoming systems modernization-leading the migration of our financial accounting from Sage to QuickBooks Online, alongside a dedicated inventory management system.
Key Responsibilities
Systems Modernization & Optimization
Lead the transition from Sage to QuickBooks Online (QBO) for core financial accounting and reporting.
Oversee the setup and integration of an inventory management, ensuring accurate, real-time alignment between inventory tracking and QBO.
Financial Leadership & Strategy
Lead and manage day-to-day accounting department operations.
Partner directly with company leadership and board liaisons to communicate financial health, project margins, and emerging risk areas.
Prepare and maintain weekly cash flow forecasts to guide check runs and capital allocation decisions.
Track and update company KPI metrics ahead of weekly review meetings.
Drive the annual budgeting process and update forecasts dynamically as revenue projections evolve.
- Maintain a 13 week cash flow forecast.
Core Accounting & Operational Oversight
Maintain strict GAAP compliance and oversee cost-accounting procedures tailored to industry standards.
Oversee Work-In-Progress (WIP) schedules and monitor project gross margins, alerting leadership when margins require intervention.
Manage recurring monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting closes with high precision and timeliness.
Complete bank, credit card, AP/AR, and general ledger reconciliations.
Prepare or approve weekly payroll and analyze fixed asset capitalizations above the $2,500 threshold.
Oversee quarterly inventory tracking and physical counts to maintain accurate inventory accounting.
Compliance, Tax & Administration
Prepare and submit monthly sales tax filings and payments.
Enforce new-vendor onboarding procedures, including W-9 and COI collection, and oversee annual 1099 processing.
Maintain insurance coverage schedules and fulfill external audit data requests.
Support new-hire onboarding and internal HR administration as needed.
Qualifications & Experience
Requirements:
Certification: Active CPA license is strongly preferred.
Software Expertise: Direct experience with QuickBooks Online (QBO) is required.
Experience: 5+ years of total accounting experience, including at least 2–3 years in a senior accounting or leadership role.
Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Core Competencies: Proven expertise in GAAP, cost accounting, cash flow management, and financial reporting.
Soft Skills: Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with top-tier organization, analytical thinking, and attention to detail.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience leading or executing accounting system migrations (specifically Sage to QBO).
Prior exposure to dedicated inventory management platforms.
CMA certification or advanced financial management credentials.
Senior accounting experience in project-based, inventory, or cost-accounting-intensive industries.
Direct experience with payroll processing, inventory tracking, and WIP management.
Compensation & Benefits
Base Salary: $100,000 – $115,000 / year (commensurate with experience)
Health & Wellness: Health, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage (eligible after 90 days of employment).
Retirement: 401(k) plan with a 3% company-sponsored Safe Harbor contribution (eligible after 1 year of employment).
Paid Time Off: Paid Holidays and Paid Time Off (PTO, eligible after 180 days of employment).
Equal Opportunity Statement
DS&L Group Holdings, Inc. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law.