Harvard Group International
Global Controller (Allentown)
Harvard Group International, Allentown, Pennsylvania, United States, 18103
GLOBAL CONTROLLER
ROLE OVERVIEW We are seeking a Global Controller to build and lead the global controllership organization for a newly carved-out, private-equity-backed industrial company. This strategic and hands-on leader will oversee global accounting, financial reporting, audit, internal controls, entity management, and statutory compliance across all regions while establishing a scalable, standardized controllership infrastructure. The role requires deep technical accounting expertise, strong operational finance capability, and experience navigating complex international and multi-ERP environments. The ideal candidate is a transformation-ready, systems-savvy accounting leader who excels at navigating global complexity, modernizing financial operations, and partnering closely with executives and private equity.
RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the global month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent financial reporting across all regions and entities. Own global consolidation, financial statements, and reporting in accordance with IFRS and local GAAP requirements. Establish and maintain standardized global accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and a unified chart of accounts. Oversee statutory reporting, tax filings, and regulatory compliance for all global entities across the US, Denmark, Mexico, Brazil, India, the EU, APAC, and other markets. Manage internal and external audit coordination, prepare supporting documentation, and respond to auditor inquiries. Design and stand up the full global controllership infrastructure, including processes, systems, governance, risk, and data frameworks for a newly independent company. Lead the separation from the former parent company, including TSA management, entity transitions, and integrity of opening balance sheets. Implement scalable processes across Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, Record-to-Report, Inventory and Cost Accounting, and Fixed Assets to support operational efficiency and accuracy. Oversee ERP transformation across a complex environment of 15+ inherited systems and lead future-state consolidation into a unified global platform. Oversee global inventory accounting and costing across manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and spare parts environments. Support pricing, margin analysis, customer contract reviews, and project accounting for EPC projects, service contracts, and installation/commissioning activities. Partner with the CFO on cash management, working capital improvements, and broader value-creation initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS You are a Proven Pioneer: With 12+ years of progressive experience in global controllership, accounting, and reporting roles within industrial, engineering, or manufacturing environments; experience leading carve-outs, complex transformations, or private-equity-backed organizations is required. You have Hands-on Experience: With IFRS, US GAAP, and multi-country statutory reporting, bringing mastery of accounting principles and regulatory requirements across a multi-entity, multi-currency global footprint. You are a Natural Fixer: Who can analyze inherited carve-out structures and drive change across processes, systems, and teams. You will help define what a world-class global controllership function should look like by implementing policies, controls, KPIs, and scalable process improvements. You are an Influencer: With strong emotional intelligence and the ability to use influence rather than authority to partner effectively with senior finance leadership, global executives, private equity stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. You are a Skilled Communicator: With exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and business writing skills; the ability to clearly articulate financial insights; and proven capability engaging auditors, executives, lenders, and PE partners. You are Well-Educated: A minimum of a bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is required; a CPA or international equivalent is strongly preferred.
COMPENSATION A meaningful compensation package will be developed for the successful candidate that includes a base salary plus performance-based bonus.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter, preferably in MS Word format, to
Derek Bush dbush@harvardsearch.com
. A fully detailed, formal specification will be sent to top-level, qualified candidates.
ROLE OVERVIEW We are seeking a Global Controller to build and lead the global controllership organization for a newly carved-out, private-equity-backed industrial company. This strategic and hands-on leader will oversee global accounting, financial reporting, audit, internal controls, entity management, and statutory compliance across all regions while establishing a scalable, standardized controllership infrastructure. The role requires deep technical accounting expertise, strong operational finance capability, and experience navigating complex international and multi-ERP environments. The ideal candidate is a transformation-ready, systems-savvy accounting leader who excels at navigating global complexity, modernizing financial operations, and partnering closely with executives and private equity.
RESPONSIBILITIES Lead the global month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process to ensure accurate, timely, and consistent financial reporting across all regions and entities. Own global consolidation, financial statements, and reporting in accordance with IFRS and local GAAP requirements. Establish and maintain standardized global accounting policies, procedures, internal controls, and a unified chart of accounts. Oversee statutory reporting, tax filings, and regulatory compliance for all global entities across the US, Denmark, Mexico, Brazil, India, the EU, APAC, and other markets. Manage internal and external audit coordination, prepare supporting documentation, and respond to auditor inquiries. Design and stand up the full global controllership infrastructure, including processes, systems, governance, risk, and data frameworks for a newly independent company. Lead the separation from the former parent company, including TSA management, entity transitions, and integrity of opening balance sheets. Implement scalable processes across Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash, Record-to-Report, Inventory and Cost Accounting, and Fixed Assets to support operational efficiency and accuracy. Oversee ERP transformation across a complex environment of 15+ inherited systems and lead future-state consolidation into a unified global platform. Oversee global inventory accounting and costing across manufacturing, logistics, distribution, and spare parts environments. Support pricing, margin analysis, customer contract reviews, and project accounting for EPC projects, service contracts, and installation/commissioning activities. Partner with the CFO on cash management, working capital improvements, and broader value-creation initiatives.
REQUIREMENTS You are a Proven Pioneer: With 12+ years of progressive experience in global controllership, accounting, and reporting roles within industrial, engineering, or manufacturing environments; experience leading carve-outs, complex transformations, or private-equity-backed organizations is required. You have Hands-on Experience: With IFRS, US GAAP, and multi-country statutory reporting, bringing mastery of accounting principles and regulatory requirements across a multi-entity, multi-currency global footprint. You are a Natural Fixer: Who can analyze inherited carve-out structures and drive change across processes, systems, and teams. You will help define what a world-class global controllership function should look like by implementing policies, controls, KPIs, and scalable process improvements. You are an Influencer: With strong emotional intelligence and the ability to use influence rather than authority to partner effectively with senior finance leadership, global executives, private equity stakeholders, and cross-functional teams. You are a Skilled Communicator: With exceptional interpersonal, presentation, and business writing skills; the ability to clearly articulate financial insights; and proven capability engaging auditors, executives, lenders, and PE partners. You are Well-Educated: A minimum of a bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or a related field is required; a CPA or international equivalent is strongly preferred.
COMPENSATION A meaningful compensation package will be developed for the successful candidate that includes a base salary plus performance-based bonus.
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter, preferably in MS Word format, to
Derek Bush dbush@harvardsearch.com
. A fully detailed, formal specification will be sent to top-level, qualified candidates.