Our firm has been retained to conduct the search for the first Controller/Assistant Vice President of Finance of a privately-held, quickly growing, and already profitable retail portrait studio headquartered in North Carolina.  The company’s proprietary digital camera, selection and printing systems have revolutionized the retail portrait studio experience.  Their warm and colorful free-standing studios are located in open-air lifestyle shopping centers.  There are 1200+ employees in 141 locations in 34 states.

The successful candidate will report to the CFO (with a dotted-line relationship to the CEO) and support the company’s mission by controlling and maintaining accurate and timely financial information, records, and reports.  He/she will manage a staff of three (initially) with responsibility for A/P, A/R, GL, budgeting, financial variance reports and closings.  In addition, he/she will develop and manage SOX internal audit and compliance procedures. 

Requirements include:

•   A minimum of six years of increasing responsibility for accounting practices, maintenance of financial records, preparation of financial reports, closings, and compliance; corporate experience is required;

•   Strong relationship skills; the ability to interact with senior corporate and department managers in compiling, revising and managing monthly, quarterly, annual and long-term financial and operational budgets;

•   Entrepreneurial leadership; team-building skills; must be accustomed to wearing many hats; someone who can roll-up his/her sleeves and be deeply involved in the day-do-day but who also understands the strategic big picture; 

•   Retail, multi-location, start-up, private equity-backed or quickly growing company experience is an advantage;

•   Undergraduate degree is required; a CPA or MBA is a plus.

This is a unique ground floor opportunity.  The compensation package includes base salary, bonus, and stock options.

If you know good networking sources or potential candidates, please contact resume4@sockwell.com.  We will keep your recommendations or personal interest confidential.