Controller Jobs in Wisconsin
Controller jobs in Wisconsin are concentrated in Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay, where manufacturers, health systems, and financial services firms maintain large finance teams. Companies like Kohl's, Northwestern Mutual, and Exact Sciences are among the established Wisconsin employers that consistently hire controllers. Demand is strongest for controllers with expertise in cost accounting, financial consolidation, and ERP systems, with openings ranging from plant-level controllers at mid-size manufacturers to divisional controllers at large public companies. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 80+ Controller jobs
POSITION SUMMARY
The Controller is a key member of the Executive Team, responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the business, including accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, ERP oversight, and strategic planning. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a finance executive with experience in manufacturing environments and a strong grasp of ERP systems. A background in analysis and data analytics is preferred. This position leads a department of three people with 2 direct reports.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Set and lead the strategic vision for Accounting and Finance, ensuring accurate, timely, and value-added financial insights
· Own the integrity of the month-end close process, financial statements, controls, and accounting policy
o Perform month-end and year-end close activities and reconciliations to ensure timely and accurate reporting
o Prepare schedules and documentation for external review and tax return preparers
o Identify and implement opportunities to streamline accounting processes, strengthen controls, and improve reporting
· Evaluate proposed capital investments in equipment, facility upgrades, and technology by preparing ROI, payback, and other financial analyses to support capital expenditure decisions
· Partner with operations and ownership to assess the financial impact of new equipment, product lines, and process improvements
· Partner with business leaders to translate financial insights into operational and strategic action
· Foster external relationships, including banking, insurance, financial reviews, tax authorities, and legal partners
· Oversee inventory valuation across raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods, ensuring accurate and timely reporting in accordance with GAAP and company policy
· Manage standard costing and job costing systems, including developing, maintaining, and periodically updating standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead
· Prepare product-line and job-level margin analysis to evaluate profitability, support pricing decisions, and highlight opportunities to improve margins
· Direct treasury management activities, including daily cash positioning and cash flow forecasting
· Serve as finance owner of the ERP system, ensuring accurate cost, inventory, and GL data, and lead reporting improvements
· Directly supervise the Accounts Payable/Receivable and Purchasing positions, including hiring, training, workload planning, and performance management
· Oversee purchasing and vendor management practices, including purchase order controls, supplier terms, and coordination with production on raw material availability
· Oversee AP and AR processes, including vendor payments, customer invoicing, collections, and credit management
· Follow all safety procedures, ensure safety guards are in place, and maintain a clean working environment
QUALIFICATIONS
To successfully perform this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
· Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field
· Master's degree and/or CPA/CMA preferred
· 3 to 5 years of previous experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred
· Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2–3 years in an Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, Senior Accountant, Controller, or comparable accounting leadership role is required
· Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Power Query and PivotTables, along with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint). Experience with SQL and business intelligence (BI) tools is preferred
· Knowledge of GAAP and internal controls
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Highly analytical, process-oriented, and business-minded
· Able to work independently and collaboratively with a team
· Experience working with ERP/MRP systems is required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· The individual must be able to be seated for extended periods of time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
POSITION SUMMARY
The Controller is a key member of the Executive Team, responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the business, including accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, ERP oversight, and strategic planning. This is a hands-on leadership role ideal for a finance executive with experience in manufacturing environments and a strong grasp of ERP systems. A background in analysis and data analytics is preferred. This position leads a department of three people with 2 direct reports.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
· Set and lead the strategic vision for Accounting and Finance, ensuring accurate, timely, and value-added financial insights
· Own the integrity of the month-end close process, financial statements, controls, and accounting policy
o Perform month-end and year-end close activities and reconciliations to ensure timely and accurate reporting
o Prepare schedules and documentation for external review and tax return preparers
o Identify and implement opportunities to streamline accounting processes, strengthen controls, and improve reporting
· Evaluate proposed capital investments in equipment, facility upgrades, and technology by preparing ROI, payback, and other financial analyses to support capital expenditure decisions
· Partner with operations and ownership to assess the financial impact of new equipment, product lines, and process improvements
· Partner with business leaders to translate financial insights into operational and strategic action
· Foster external relationships, including banking, insurance, financial reviews, tax authorities, and legal partners
· Oversee inventory valuation across raw materials, work-in-process, and finished goods, ensuring accurate and timely reporting in accordance with GAAP and company policy
· Manage standard costing and job costing systems, including developing, maintaining, and periodically updating standard costs for materials, labor, and overhead
· Prepare product-line and job-level margin analysis to evaluate profitability, support pricing decisions, and highlight opportunities to improve margins
· Direct treasury management activities, including daily cash positioning and cash flow forecasting
· Serve as finance owner of the ERP system, ensuring accurate cost, inventory, and GL data, and lead reporting improvements
· Directly supervise the Accounts Payable/Receivable and Purchasing positions, including hiring, training, workload planning, and performance management
· Oversee purchasing and vendor management practices, including purchase order controls, supplier terms, and coordination with production on raw material availability
· Oversee AP and AR processes, including vendor payments, customer invoicing, collections, and credit management
· Follow all safety procedures, ensure safety guards are in place, and maintain a clean working environment
QUALIFICATIONS
To successfully perform this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required.
· Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field
· Master's degree and/or CPA/CMA preferred
· 3 to 5 years of previous experience in a manufacturing environment is preferred
· Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2–3 years in an Accounting Manager, Assistant Controller, Senior Accountant, Controller, or comparable accounting leadership role is required
· Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills
· Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including Power Query and PivotTables, along with strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint). Experience with SQL and business intelligence (BI) tools is preferred
· Knowledge of GAAP and internal controls
· Strong organizational and time management skills
· Highly analytical, process-oriented, and business-minded
· Able to work independently and collaboratively with a team
· Experience working with ERP/MRP systems is required
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands and work environment described below are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· The individual must be able to be seated for extended periods of time
Pay: $90,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
See All 80 Controller Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controller JobsController Jobs by City in Wisconsin
Where Wisconsin roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Controller Job Market in Wisconsin
A snapshot from current Wisconsin openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Wisconsin Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in controller jobs across Wisconsin.
- Active CPA license issued or recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related field required
- Seven or more years of progressive accounting experience including a supervisory role
- Hands-on experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Microsoft Dynamics
- Demonstrated ability to manage month-end close, financial reporting, and internal controls
- Manufacturing or healthcare industry accounting experience strongly preferred by Wisconsin employers
Controller Jobs in Wisconsin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a controller in Wisconsin?
Most Wisconsin controller roles require a CPA license issued through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services, which administers the Uniform CPA Examination and sets continuing education requirements. Candidates typically hold a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance and build experience through staff and senior accountant roles before moving into a controller position. A master's degree or MBA strengthens candidacy for roles at larger Wisconsin employers.
Which companies hire controllers in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin controller roles are posted by Truity Partners, Foxconn WI, and Augmentis and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Wisconsin's strong manufacturing base, health system networks, and financial services headquarters generate steady controller demand across both public companies and privately held regional firms.
Which Wisconsin cities have the most controller jobs?
Milwaukee, Madison, and Menomonee Falls account for the largest share of controller openings in Wisconsin. Milwaukee drives volume through its concentration of corporate headquarters, financial institutions, and healthcare systems, while Madison's mix of state government, university-affiliated organizations, and technology employers sustains consistent hiring, and Green Bay's manufacturing and logistics industries support plant and divisional controller roles.
Are there remote controller jobs in Wisconsin?
Yes, and more than most finance roles, since controller work is desk-based and heavily system-driven. About 38% of controller openings tied to Wisconsin are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how common flexible arrangements have become across corporate finance. The most fully remote openings tend to involve financial reporting, consolidations, and policy oversight rather than roles requiring close coordination with on-site operations or inventory.
How can I get hired as a controller in Wisconsin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a staff accountant role at a Wisconsin manufacturer, health system, or regional accounting firm, where you build the month-end close and audit exposure controllers need. Large Wisconsin employers such as Aurora Health Care, Oshkosh Corporation, and Associated Bank run structured rotational or new-graduate finance programs that develop internal controller candidates. Earning your CPA through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services while in an entry role signals seriousness and accelerates the timeline.
Where can I find and apply to controller jobs in Wisconsin?
You can find and apply to controller jobs in Wisconsin on Migrate Mate, which lists current Wisconsin openings from employers hiring now. Search the available roles, find one that fits your background and target location, and apply directly through the listing.
See All 80 Controller Jobs in Wisconsin
Find roles in Wisconsin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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