Controller

Job Title: Controller
Location: Remote
Reports to: Head of Finance
Status: Full-Time

Compensation: $175K - $195K 

Direct Reports: AP/AR Specialist

About Bask & Lather Co.

Bask & Lather Co. is a high-growth haircare brand known for disciplined execution, strong unit economics, and strong customer loyalty. As we expand across channels, retail partners, and product categories, we are building a finance function that ensures growth is profitable, scalable, and operationally efficient.

Role Overview

The Controller will own the accounting function end-to-end and serve as the backbone of financial integrity, reporting, and operational discipline. This role will partner closely with the Head of Finance to build scalable processes and support retail expansion.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring both execution and system-building.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Close & Reporting

Monthly, quarterly, and annual close process (tighten to ≤5 business days over time)

Ensure accurate GAAP-compliant financial statements

Maintain audit-ready documentation and schedules

External audit and tax coordination

2. Inventory, COGS & Gross Margin Integrity

Own inventory accounting across 3PLs, retail, and DTC channels

Contribute to accurate standard costing, landed cost tracking, and SKU-level margin visibility

Build controls around shrinkage, obsolescence, and write-offs

Partner with Supply Chain on purchase accounting and inventory forecasting alignment

3. Retail & Trade Spend Accounting

Build and manage accounting for:

Chargebacks, deductions, and returns

Trade spend, promotions, and markdowns

Ensure proper revenue recognition and contra-revenue treatment

Partner with Sales and Supply Chain to reconcile retailer activity

4. Cash, AR/AP & Working Capital

Oversee AR/AP function (including existing AR/AP Specialist)

Partner on cash conversion cycle improvement:

AR collections rigor

Vendor terms optimization

Maintain daily/weekly cash visibility and reporting

5. Systems & Process Buildout Partnering:

Optimize and scale QuickBooks (or transition to ERP)

Controls, SOPs, and documentation across all accounting workflows

Partner with Head of Finance on system roadmap (inventory, FP&A, reporting tools)

6. Compliance & Controls

Partner on establishing internal controls appropriate for a scaling business

Ensure compliance with tax, sales tax, and multi-state nexus requirements

Build foundation for SOX-readiness (future state)

7. Team Leadership

Manage and develop accounting team 

Build org structure as company scales

Drive accountability, timelines, and high-performance culture

Qualifications

6–10+ years in accounting (CPG, retail, or inventory-heavy business preferred)

CPA strongly preferred (Big 4 or strong audit background a plus)

Deep experience with:

Inventory and cost accounting

Retail / wholesale accounting complexities

Experience scaling processes in a high-growth environment

Strong systems orientation (QuickBooks, ERP exposure, Excel modeling)

Profile

Hands-on operator who can both execute and build

Detail-obsessed with strong ownership mentality

Comfortable in fast-paced, ambiguous environments

Strong cross-functional partner (Supply Chain, Marketing, Sales, Ops)

High integrity and low ego

Why This Role

Opportunity to build the accounting foundation of a breakout brand

Direct exposure to executive team and strategic decisions

Key role in preparing the business for scale and increased profitability