Financial Controller

Forget green ledger paper, pocket protectors, and the slow grind of traditional corporate accounting. Born in Australia and now a fast-growing global DTC retailer, BikesOnline is looking for an inquisitive, hands-on Financial Controller to steer our $20M US operation right here in sunny San Clemente. Partnering directly with our US COO and backed by a dedicated team in Mexico for day-to-day support, you’ll take true ownership across the accounting spectrum, optimize processes, and help our business scale. At 30 flexible hours a week, it’s a high-impact seat with immense room for professional growth—without chaining you to a desk when you could be outside enjoying the ride. If your passion for debits and credits matches our mission to make cycling accessible to everyone, we’d love to have you on the team.

Role Summary

The Financial Controller (USA) leads financial control, reporting and compliance for Bikes Online Inc., the US business of BikesOnline, an Australian founded direct-to-consumer bicycle retailer. The US business turns over approximately US$20 million a year and is growing, and runs on a 30 June financial year aligned to its Australian parent. The Controller reviews, signs off and locks the monthly close, approves payroll and payments, oversees US tax and compliance, and is the finance partner to the COO (US) and executive team. It leads a two-person finance team in Mexico, who prepare the day-to-day accounting and the month-end close.

This is a part-time role of 30 hours a week with benefits, weighted to the month-end close and the annual audit. Primary responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial control and month-end close

• Review the close between business days 3-6: reconciliations, accruals, inventory, revenue cut-off and manual journals.
• Sign off and lock each period in Xero by business day 6.
• Set and enforce accounting policies, the month-end close checklist and a controls framework with clear separation of duties.
• Own US GAAP technical accounting: inventory valuation, landed cost and inventory in transit; revenue recognition and cut-off for undelivered sales, refunds and returns; and ASC 842 lease accounting, including the San Clemente lease.

Payment and payroll approval

• Approve the weekly cash request and payment batches, with dual approval above agreed thresholds.
• Approve each payroll run before it is funded.
• Confirm new or changed vendor bank details are independently verified before approving payment.

Reporting, planning and analysis

• Review the monthly management report and variance commentary, and take the Co-CEO and COO (US) through the results.
• Lead the annual budget and quarterly re-forecasts.
• Build financial models that support pricing, inventory and growth decisions.
• Set up and track KPIs across finance, operations and sales with the COO (US).
• Give an independent finance view on the US operating plan and proposed initiatives.

Treasury and lender management

• Own the rolling cash forecast and daily cash position, including inventory financing and supplier payment schedules.
• Manage relationships with US banking partners and the revolving credit facility, including covenant testing and lender reporting.
• Advise on bank account structure, approval workflows and payment controls.

Tax and compliance

• Sales tax: oversee the external sales tax consultancy, which manages nexus, registrations, filings and notices, and review its reporting and any exposure it flags.
• Income tax: coordinate federal and state returns, estimates, extensions and notices with the outside CPA firm, and review the tax provision.
• Payroll: oversee payroll tax, benefits and 401(k) remittances, and year-end W-2s and 1099s.
• Customs: oversee duty reporting and open refund claims with the customs broker.
• Insurance and business licenses: keep the coverage register and renewal calendar current.

Audit and intercompany

• Act as the external auditor’s primary contact for the US entity, including the PBC list, schedules, proposed adjustments and management representations.
• Sign off the monthly intercompany reconciliation with the Australian parent, against a shared timetable of invoices by BD3 and reconciliation by BD6.
• Work with the group’s tax advisers to document intercompany agreements, including license fees and recharges.

Team leadership and collaboration

• Manage and develop the Senior Accountant and Bookkeeper.
• Run the US close on the group month-end checklist, with a preparer, reviewer, backup, due date and time estimate for every task.
• Work with the Country Controller (AU) on shared processes, automation and the group reporting standard.
• Partner with Operations and the Warehouse team members on inventory controls, stock accuracy, write-offs and aged stock.
• Help Operations leaders understand how inventory decisions affect margin, cash and working capital.

Process, technology and continuous improvement

• Lead improvements in reporting, recurring payments and cost controls, including payout automation across payment processors.
• Manage finance vendors and contracts, including payroll, sales tax, outside CPA and banking providers.
• Handle US finance matters that need someone on site, such as mail, check deposits, notarized documents and bank visits.
• Use AI and automation to improve efficiency and accuracy across finance and operations, in line with BikesOnline’s Responsible AI policy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited college or university
• US CPA accreditation

Experience

• 10+ years in commercial and public accounting, including controller-level roles.
• Ecommerce or direct-to-consumer and inventory accounting.
• US payroll compliance and working knowledge of multi-state sales tax.
• Foreign-owned US subsidiaries, intercompany accounting and transfer pricing documentation.
• US banking processes and lender reporting.
• Leading and reviewing remote or offshore accounting teams.
• Partnering with operations teams on inventory controls.

Skills

• Xero experience; Shopify and Brightpearl a plus.
• Strong financial modeling and spreadsheet skills.
• Clear communicator who can constructively challenge an operating plan.
• Organized and deadline-driven, and comfortable acting as payment and payroll approver.
• Confident using AI and automation tools.
• Required to be within commuting distance of San Clemente.

VALUES
Our company values are integral to our culture and success. We expect that you embrace our core values, with behaviors and actions that:

• Delight the Customer
• Focus on the Process
• Take responsibility
• Learn Grow and Develop
• One Team Together