Financial Controller (Sterling Heights)

Job Title: Financial Controller Department: Finance Reports To: President FLSA: Salary - Exempt Prepared By: Human Resources Prepared: February 2026

Company Overview The Company is a growing defense manufacturer with employees in the range of 70 100 people. The company is part of an international group headquartered in the UK with locations in the UK, Canada and US. Horstman Group is a subsidiary of company of the RENK Group, located in Germany. Company operations consist of engineering, prototype, and low to mid volume production of defense related products. The Company is subject to state, federal, and defense-related regulatory requirements and participates in multiple layers of group and international financial reporting.

Position Summary The Financial Controller is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the local entity while ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting across local, group, and global structures. This role serves as a key business partner to the President and plays a critical role in financial governance, reporting, and controls within a regulated defense manufacturing environment.

Reporting Structure
Reports directly to: President
Direct reports: 2
Works closely with: Local Leadership, Group Finance, Global Finance (Germany), External Auditors, and Government Agencies

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Accounting
Oversee all day-to-day accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll oversight, inventory accounting, and cost accounting
Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes
Maintain and enhance internal controls in compliance with regulatory and group standards
Manage cash flow, working capital, and financial planning activities
Analyze and monitor product costing and contribution performance
Own and administer the departmental budget management and monitoring process Financial Group Reporting
Prepare and submit timely and accurate financial statements for local management
Ensure consistency and accuracy across multiple reporting frameworks and timelines
Support consolidation and intercompany reporting requirements
Maintain reporting within the local ERP system (Visual) and global consolidation/reporting system (Tagetik)
Lead group-level reporting for the parent company and global ownership structure in Germany
Provide ad-hoc analysis and explanations as requested by Horstman/Renk
Support the Group yearend reporting and audit process
Support the Group budget cycle and quarterly reforecast process

Compliance & Regulatory Reporting
Ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal reporting requirements
Support defense industry-specific compliance and audit requirements as applicable
Coordinate and lead external audits, including government and group audits
Maintain documentation and reporting standards to support regulatory reviews

Systems & Process Improvement
Act as the financial systems lead for Visual ERP and Tagetik reporting
Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and controls
Support data integrity and system enhancements related to financial reporting

Leadership & Business Partnership
Serve as a trusted financial advisor to the President and senior leadership
Provide financial analysis, insights, and recommendations to support decision-making
Mentor and develop the accounting team, with a focus on succession planning
Collaborate with group and global finance teams across multiple time zones and cultures
Lead the local departmental budgeting and oversight process

Qualifications & Experience
Bachelors degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or equivalent preferred)
7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience, preferably in manufacturing
Experience working in a multi-entity, international reporting environment
Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP; familiarity with IFRS required
Experience with ERP systems; familiarity with Visual and Tagetik desired
Experience in regulated industries (defense, aerospace, government contracting) preferred

Skills & Competencies
Strong technical accounting and financial reporting expertise
High attention to detail with the ability to manage competing deadlines
Effective communicators across organizational and cultural boundaries
Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop staff
Hands-on, solutions-oriented mindset suitable for a mid-sized organization

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