At Lakeshore, we create innovative learning materials and world-class guest experiences for teachers, parents and children. Since 1954, we’ve grown into a global community—with a thriving e-commerce business, multiple catalogs, 60+ retail stores, a peerless national sales force, plus international offices that support our preeminent supply chain division. But today we’re working better, smarter and faster than ever—and setting our sights even higher. We’re building an infrastructure designed for scalability, embracing data-driven decision-making and using technology to improve efficiency and ensure the best tools for the best work. Most importantly, we continue to invest in a diverse team of inquisitive top talent who fuel each other’s passions and curiosity, take risks, try new things and believe that every new day brings opportunities for growth.

We are currently searching for a VP Corporate Controller to serve as a proactive and strategic business partner to the CFO—and play an integral role in the financial and operational decisions of the company. In this position, you’ll ensure timely and accurate financial reporting, maintain internal control and provide management support for financial decision-making across a wide variety of company initiatives. You will also play a transformative role in evolving our policies and procedures to support Lakeshore’s strategic growth. The successful candidate will possess thorough knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), excellent analytical skills and the agility to provide financial reporting to meet company timelines. 
 

A day at Lakeshore looks like this:

• Providing strong accounting and financial leadership to ensure the integrity of the financial statements and adherence to company policies and procedures
• Preparing timely and accurate GAAP financial statements and reports, driven by a tightly managed monthly close process
• Leading a team through an effective month-end close and providing analysis that fosters a deeper understanding of the business that impacts future performance
• Serving as technical accounting leader, including presenting the correct accounting conclusion and documenting the position
• Partnering with the Financial Planning and Analysis team in all aspects of business management
• Reviewing and publishing company financial statements
• Managing and maintaining the internal control environment, including safeguarding assets, developing effective segregation of duties, ensuring transactions are properly recorded and minimizing all opportunities for fraud or impropriety
• Ensuring the business is structured in a tax-efficient and compliant manner and overseeing the process with external tax preparers with timely and accurate tax filings
• Managing the annual financial audit and serving as the main point of contact with our external auditors for the annual audit, as well as quarterly reviews 
• Preparing presentations for quarterly board of directors meetings
• Overseeing the Enterprise Accounting System to provide accurate records of assets, liabilities and financial transactions
• Assisting in the planning, development and implementation of a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system
• Developing the long-term vision for the ongoing evolution of financial systems and helping deliver on that vision
• Managing, mentoring and providing a development path for team members, including hiring, training, motivating and addressing performance issues
• Fostering an environment of doing the basics well, embracing continuous improvement and delivering impactful insight and information

Got the skills and experience? Here’s what we’re looking for: 

• 10+ years of relevant accounting experience that includes supervisory responsibilities
• 5+ years of experience at the Director or Controller level in a publicly traded organization or private equity-backed company
• Experience working at a public accounting firm at the Manager or Senior Manager level required
• CPA required
• Strong technical accounting experience required
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field
• Deep knowledge of GAAP
• Successful track record of maintaining an effective system of internal controls in a public company
• Experience with progressively increasing responsibility and broader-scale management, including leading a high-performing team and developing leaders from within
• Superb analytical skills, accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to act and operate independently with minimal daily direction, while also possessing a talent for team collaboration
• Good judgment and resourcefulness with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
• Proficiency with accounting software and Microsoft Office
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Available to be on-site at our Carson headquarters on an as-needed basis

And here’s our end of the bargain! 

• Competitive compensation based on skills and experience, plus a bonus plan
• Excellent medical/dental and vision coverage—EPO, PPO and HSA
• 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution (because you will retire someday)
• Flexible benefits—choose what you like, ignore the rest
• On-site preschool for our employees’ children
• On-site employee gym for all levels/fitness needs
• Generous employee discount on products that make you smarter
• Casual dress…and we really mean it

At Lakeshore, we know our diversity makes us stronger, and when everyone feels included and valued, we all win. We strive to embrace our differences and create an intentionally diverse and inclusive community that is representative of the teachers, families and children we serve.

We know we couldn’t do the extraordinary things we’re doing without the people on our team. Thanks to the passion and enthusiasm of this spectacular group, Lakeshore is more than a great place to work—it’s a great experience to be part of. Day in and day out, we give everything we’ve got to create products that instill a sense of wonder and foster a true love of learning. To help maintain this high bar for success, we’re constantly on the lookout for people to join us. So if you’re a down-to-earth professional who shares our desire for making a difference, we’d love to hear from you. 
 
To learn more about Lakeshore, visit www.lakeshorelearning.com/careers 
 
Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
People are selected to become members of the Lakeshore family based on skill, merit and mind-boggling talent—not based on race, color, creed, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, marital status, domestic partnership status, military status, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, alienage, AIDS or AIDS-related complex status, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, status as a victim of domestic violence, physical or mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If things aren’t equal, we all lose.

To learn about how we collect and use Applicant information, please visit our Employee/Applicant Privacy Policy. INDRLL2