Job Description

The Opportunity

This role is for northern Alabama’s pre-eminent barbecue restaurant chain with 15 locations, ~$22MM in annual revenue and +160 employees. A proven industry veteran leads the growth of the enterprise, the company is backed by long-term focused and patient owners, and the firm is seeking a financial professional with the drive and determination to execute relentlessly on its long-term business plan.

The Position

This opportunity is perfect for a hands-on, entrepreneurial, and dynamic finance professional seeking a chance to continue to evolve a company's finance function. This role will function as the head of the accounting/finance function and report directly to the President, with a dotted line to ownership. This is a unique opportunity to lead the accounting/finance function for a profitable, growing, and beloved brand with stable ownership that is in it for the long-run. 

The ideal candidate will inherit and improve the existing foundational finance functions such as annual budgeting, monthly budget variances, forecasting, and periodic reporting packages for the various stakeholders (Area Directors, General Managers, President, ownership, and commercial banks and lenders). The role will have financial oversight of the different value creation initiatives, including but not limited to: new store openings, remodel programs, updating branding, re-focus on menu profit drivers, improving labor scheduling, and investments in technology (AI, digital/social media, website, apps, tablets, software) designed to create a seamless customer experience. Financial oversight will include creating thoughtful ROI analysis, creating budgets, and monitoring the economic success of the initiatives.

The role will be responsible for the traditional accounting and controller functions, overseeing financial reporting, treasury, accounts receivable (“AR”) and payables (“AP”), payroll, IT, and administration (legal, contracts, insurance, etc.). The position will partner closely with the operations and HR function. Most notably, the candidate will zealously champion cost-containment and cash management. Key initiatives will include maintaining and improving the company’s structured monthly close process and annual GAAP audit process, researching and implementing the latest in AI tools/agents to facilitate seamless, accurate, and real-time reporting to all stakeholders, and serving as a true partner to the President in leading the company daily. 

This role is located in Ardmore, AL, and will require significant onsite work and close collaboration with the President who resides in Huntsville. The ideal candidate will reside within close proximity of Huntsville with reasonable remote work to be permitted. The finance team is comprised of a small team (currently 2 subordinates), and the Company will judiciously add resources as it grows. 

The ideal candidate will be a proven leader with extensive/progressive finance experience and relentless intellectual curiousity. The candidate will also be capable of overseeing the accounting function and be experienced in managing banking relationships, cash flow, and a leveraged balance sheet. The candidate should have national or recognized firm experience (e.g., big-four, large regional) or similar best in class experience (national consulting firm, Fortune recognized [or equivalent] Company), or investment banking, or extensive experience working with institutional investors. A finance professional with public accounting experience, a CPA, and comprehensive finance-related experience is also suitable.

A candidate with restaurant or similar experience managing an active growth pipeline via new unit development is a plus.

The Responsibilities:

• Prepare GAAP financials (Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement) on a monthly and annual basis with variance reporting to prior year and budget; manage annual GAAP audit
• Enhance and implement financial and accounting systems, processes, tools, and control systems to better manage the business and to facilitate annual reviews/audits with limited adjustments; ensure that reasonable financial approval processes are in place and followed
• Oversee the Company's capital structure and balance sheet while maintaining a laser focus on cost containment and cash management
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly financial reporting packages for Area Directors, General Managers, President, and ownership; manage appropriate reporting requirements for commercial banks and lenders; leverage the latest in technology/AI to provide real-time reporting
• Continually improve the timeliness of financial reporting and the quality of business planning, budgeting, and financial analysis; facilitate the development of robust financial analytics and metrics 
• Oversee financial analysis and budgeting of business operations; spearhead the interpretation of operating results with a focus on identifying opportunities for improvement 
• Manage day-to-day finance functions, including responsibility for the management of accounts payable & accounts receivable as well as in-house payroll (and evaluate pros/cons of moving to outsourced payroll with legal-based HR function)
• Collaborate with President and ownership to determine the appropriate level of funding to support growth and changes in Company's business strategy 
• Maintain all business licenses, permits, and contracts

The Candidate Will Have:

• The ability to integrate into the long-standing, unique culture of the Company 
• A love of managing, motivating, and inspiring teams to achieve goals they never thought possible
• High integrity and the will to always do the right thing
• An entrepreneurial mind with agility and the ability to wear multiple hats - this should excite you, not frustrate you
• Ambition for ownership and accountability in the organization
• Team and Company-first mentality, focused on results
• Hyper-organized with a high degree of attention to detail
• Ability to do reporting and analysis on their own
• High-level of energy that is contagious and makes work fun for their teammates 
• Resiliency and grit to push through challenges
• Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt
• Self-starter mindset with a confident and proactive approach
• Ability to build relationships with store-level and corporate employees

Required Qualifications:

Relevant Experience:

• Recognized firm experience (big 4, large regional, national consulting firm) or
• Fortune-recognized or similar caliber company, or 
• Investment banking or extensive experience working with institutional investors, or 
• Public accounting experience, a CPA, and extensive finance-related experience
• Progressive finance experience (annual budgeting, reporting packages, KPIs)
• Sufficient accounting experience to lead the annual audit and prepare books in accordance with GAAP
• A minimum of seven years of accounting and finance experience
• Advanced Excel Skills (sumifs, pivots, vlookup, index matches) and experience building multifaceted spreadsheets
• Extensive data and analytical expertise; experience with and intellectual curiousity around emerging AI technology and its application to the restaurant industry preferred

Other Optional Qualifications:

• Experience with QuickBooks
• Experience working with institutional ownership and multi-unit businesses; restaurant experience a plus
• Experience in budget management and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Background overseeing Information Technology functions including but not limited to PCI compliance, data security, and data analytics
• Private-Equity Experience
• Experience shouldering the administrative burden for executives
• Experience working with and achieving results with a small team
• Experience working with small-midsize companies, either as a public accountant to or an employee for those organizations
• Ability to identify business improvement opportunities and work as a partner with operations and sales to capitalize on those opportunities
• Experience wearing multiple hats in a growth-orientated company
• Experience interacting effectively across an organization.

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Equivalent
• CPA or MBA a plus 

Benefits and Compensation:

• $125-$150k base salary plus annual bonus
• Potential to participate in the Company’s equity participation plan based on performance
• Healthcare benefits
• Dental and Vision
• 401k 

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