Financial Controller

Position: Controller

Location: Jacksonville, Florida

Position Type: Full-time, Salaried

Reports To: Owner

Works Closely With: Fractional CFO

About Chef's Garden

The Chef's Garden is a dynamic catering company dedicated to delivering exceptional culinary experiences for corporate, social, and private events.

Our Core Values: HARVEST

• Hospitality: We believe in genuine warmth and creating memorable experiences for our team and our clients.
• Always Growing: We cultivate curiosity and continuous learning-professionally and personally.
• Resilience: We treat challenges as opportunities to learn and grow stronger.
• Value Diversity: We celebrate differences and foster an inclusive workplace.
• Elevated Experiences: We aim to exceed expectations and create lasting impressions.
• Synergy: Collaboration and mutual support are at the heart of everything we do.
• Trustworthy: Integrity and dependability guide our actions and decisions.

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead our financial operations and collaborate across departments to support sustainable growth and operational excellence.

Position Overview

The Controller oversees all financial and accounting activities at The Chef's Garden, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency throughout the organization. This role manages the accounting team and partners closely with operations, sales, and event management to provide strategic financial insights. As a key member of the leadership team, the Controller plays a vital role in optimizing financial performance, informing business decisions, and driving company profitability.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the accounting team, providing training, mentorship, and performance management to foster a high-performing, collaborative department.
• Oversee all accounting functions, including accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, general ledger, purchasing, and inventory accounting.
• Develop, implement, and enhance accounting systems, policies, and internal controls to ensure efficiency and compliance with GAAP.
• Manage treasury functions, including cash flow forecasting and banking relationships.
• Serve as the primary liaison with insurance brokers; oversee policy renewals, workers' compensation audits, and risk coverage.
• Coordinate and manage all tax filings and ensure compliance with state and federal reporting requirements.
• Supervise accounts payable and purchasing processes to ensure adherence to company expense and procurement policies.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with operations, sales, culinary, and event management teams to analyze performance, control costs, and support strategic initiatives.
• Partner with leadership on long-term financial planning, strategy development, and technology enhancements (including ERP and accounting systems).
• Lead or assist with special projects, process improvements, and system implementations to support business scalability and growth.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required; CPA preferred.
• 5–7+ years of accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a management or controller-level role (hospitality, catering, or food service industry experience preferred).
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, and financial reporting best practices.
• Proven experience in leading teams and collaborating cross-functionally.
• Ability to interpret complex financial data and communicate actionable insights to non-financial stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online and ADP.
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication abilities.
• Demonstrated integrity, accuracy, and commitment to continuous improvement.

Ideal Candidate Competencies

• Leadership & Team Management: Builds and motivates a high-performing accounting team, fostering accountability and collaboration.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works effectively across departments to align financial performance with business goals.
• Business Acumen: Understands the dynamics of catering and hospitality operations, cost structures, and profitability drivers.
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Identifies trends, risks, and opportunities to inform decision-making and strategy.
• Operational Excellence: Maintains accuracy, timeliness, and quality in all financial processes and reporting.
• Innovation & Process Improvement: Continuously seeks ways to streamline systems, improve reporting, and leverage technology.
• Judgment & Integrity: Demonstrates ethical decision-making and maintains the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality.

Compensation and Benefits

Chef's Garden Catering & Events offers competitive pay aligned with experience and industry standards. Full-time team members enjoy access to a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and life insurance options, paid time off, and eligibility for the company's 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching.

We believe in caring for our people as much as we care for our craft, and we strive to create a supportive, balanced environment that values both professional growth and personal well-being.

Chef's Garden is growing, and with that growth comes an evolving approach to compensation and benefits. We're committed to transparency, fairness, and continued investment in our team's well-being.

Commitment to Inclusion:

At Chef's Garden, we believe in a skills-first approach to recruitment and employment. This means focusing on what you can do and how you can grow, rather than traditional metrics alone. We are committed to adhering to anti-exclusion practices, removing barriers to access, and enhancing opportunities for all individuals based on merit and potential.

Your skills, experiences, and perspective are valuable—and we want to empower you to make your mark here with us.

We look forward to welcoming you

Pay: $120, $150,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person