Apparel Financial Controller

About the CompanyWe are a New York–based apparel company operating across multiple channels: wholesale distribution to U.S. retailers, third-party marketplaces (Amazon, Walmart, and others), and direct-to-consumer eCommerce websites. The product is sourced and imported from overseas manufacturers.About the RoleWe are seeking a hands-on Financial Controller who understands the mechanics of the import apparel business — landed cost, retailer deductions, marketplace settlements, and multichannel inventory — and can own the accounting function end-to-end.ResponsibilitiesFinancial Close & Reporting Own the full monthly, quarterly, and annual close, delivering accurate financials within a defined timeline.Prepare GAAP-compliant P&L, balance sheet, and cash flow statements, consolidated and broken out by channel (wholesale, marketplace, DTC).Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations.Produce channel-level and SKU-level margin analysis so leadership can see true profitability by product and by sales channel.Build and maintain management reporting, KPIs, and variance analysis against budget and prior year.Import & Landed Cost Accounting Account for the full landed cost of imported goods — FOB cost, freight, duty, tariffs, brokerage, insurance, and drayage — and allocate accurately to inventory and COGS.Manage foreign supplier payments, letters of credit, wire transfers, and open-account terms; track vendor deposits and balances.Monitor foreign exchange exposure and account for FX gains/losses.Reconcile customs entries and duty payments; stay current on tariff/HTS classifications and their cost impact.Wholesale / Retail Accounting Manage accounts receivable across retail accounts, including factored receivables and credit insurance where applicable.Own the retailer chargeback and deduction process — markdown allowances, co-op advertising, compliance/violation fees, shortages, and returns — including validation, dispute, and recovery.Reconcile against EDI and retailer portals; track and resolve unauthorized deductions.Coordinate with the factor (if applicable) on funding, credit approvals, and remittances.Marketplace Accounting Reconcile marketplace settlements (Amazon, Walmart, etc.), including referral fees, FBA/fulfillment fees, storage, advertising, refunds, and reserves.Ensure marketplace revenue, fees, and inventory (including FBA/MCF) are correctly recorded and reconciled to bank deposits.Track marketplace-specific profitability net of all fees.DTC eCommerce Accounting Reconcile Shopify (or comparable platform) orders, payouts, payment processor fees, and chargebacks.Manage revenue recognition, gift cards/store credit, and returns reserves for online retail.Reconcile payment gateways (Stripe, PayPal, Shop Pay, etc.) to the GL.Inventory & Cost Control Own multichannel inventory accounting and valuation across warehouses, 3PLs, and marketplace fulfillment centers.Maintain perpetual inventory integrity, cycle counts, and physical inventory reconciliation.Analyze inventory aging, shrinkage, and markdowns; support open-to-buy and inventory planning with financial data.Treasury, AP & Cash Management Manage cash flow forecasting and daily/weekly cash positioning across channels and entities.Oversee accounts payable, vendor terms, and payment timing.Manage banking relationships, credit facilities/lines of credit, and covenant reporting.Administer or oversee payroll and related filings.Compliance, Tax & Audit Coordinate sales tax compliance and economic nexus across states (critical for marketplace and DTC).Support income tax preparation with outside CPAs; manage 1099s and related filings.Serve as primary contact for external accountants, auditors, factors, and lenders.Design, document, and enforce internal controls and accounting policies.Systems & Process Own the accounting/ERP system and its integrations with Shopify, marketplaces, EDI, and 3PLs.Identify and implement automation and process improvements to scale the finance function.Ensure clean data flow between sales channels and the GL.QualificationsMust have direct apparel industry experience (apparel, footwear, or accessories) in an import/wholesale environment — this is a hard requirement, not a preference.Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.5+ years of progressive accounting experience, with 3+ years in a controller or senior accounting role.Direct experience in the apparel, footwear, accessories, or consumer goods industry — import/wholesale strongly preferred.Demonstrated expertise in landed cost/import accounting and inventory-heavy businesses.Must have hands-on experience working with a factor — managing factored receivables, credit approvals, funding, remittances, and the day-to-day relationship with the factor.Hands-on experience with retailer deductions and chargebacks (markdowns, co-op, compliance fees, shortages).Experience reconciling marketplace (Amazon/Walmart) settlements and eCommerce (Shopify) payouts.Strong command of GAAP, month-end close, and full-cycle accounting.Advanced Excel; proficiency with an ERP (e.g., Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, NetSuite, or comparable).Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills; able to translate numbers into business decisions.