Is This Antioch Distribution Controller Job Your Path to CFO?
Published on: Nov 11, 2025
If you're a hands-on Controller who wants to become a CFO, this Antioch, Tennessee distribution company is worth a close look. You'd start by running the books yourself, from cash and inventory costing to the monthly close in NetSuite, then build the finance team as revenue grows past $50 million. You'd report straight to the CEO. Frontline Source Group is running this search. The firm has completed more than 5,619 placements since 2004, holds a 5.0-star Trustpilot rating across 683 verified reviews, and backs every direct hire with the 5-Year Placement Warranty, which is 20 times longer than the 90-day guarantee most of the industry offers.
Forbes has named Frontline Source Group one of America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms nine years in a row (2018 to 2026) and ranked it #148 on the 2026 Best Executive Recruiting Firms list. The firm is a 9-time ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent satisfaction, a ClearlyRated Diamond Award recipient, an Inc. 5000 honoree, and an Expertise.com Best Staffing Agency. It's also a member of the American Staffing Association, runs 32 plus offices nationwide, and holds a 98.94% executive retention rate on placements.
Why would a Controller take this Antioch role?
Because it's a rare setup: a growing company that wants someone to do the work now and lead the function later. Plenty of Controller jobs keep you in the same seat for years. This one is designed to become a CFO-level position as the business scales from about $25 million toward $50 million or more in revenue.
What does "hands-on" mean here?
It means you won't be managing a big department on day one. The role starts as an individual contributor. You'll post entries, reconcile accounts, build the forecast, and close the month yourself. If you like knowing every number in the business because you touched it, that's a feature, not a drawback.
What does the path from Controller to CFO look like?
As revenue grows, you'll build and lead a finance team, making the key hiring and process decisions yourself. Because you report directly to the CEO, you'll help shape the company's financial structure and strategy from the start. You'll earn the CFO seat by building the function, not by waiting for someone above you to leave.
What kind of distribution company is this?
The client distributes products to retail, wholesale, and foodservice customers in several states. It's entrepreneurial and team-driven, with a family-oriented culture that values accountability, integrity, and initiative. The company runs on NetSuite ERP and sees real room to automate more of its financial processes. Frontline Source Group keeps the client's name confidential on open searches and shares it with qualified candidates.
What will you own as Controller?
- Cash and the close: daily cash management, bank reconciliations, cash flow forecasting, and on-time month-end and year-end financial statements
- Inventory and cost: accurate inventory and COGS reporting, including landed cost and freight allocations
- Core accounting: accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and commissions
- Planning and insight: budgets, forecasts, and management reports on profitability, margins, and KPIs
- Controls and systems: internal controls, accounting policies, and financial processes in NetSuite, plus automation and process improvements
- Outside partners: working with the external CPA, tax advisors, and lenders, and supporting tax filings and insurance renewals
What skills matter most for a distribution Controller?
The company wants a bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and 5 or more years of progressive accounting or finance experience, ideally in distribution, wholesale, or a related industry. A CPA or CMA is preferred. Beyond the basics, two skills separate the strongest candidates.
How deep does your inventory accounting need to be?
Deep. In distribution, margin lives in the details of inventory. Landed cost means folding freight, duties, and handling into what each item actually cost, and freight allocation decides which products carry those costs. Get either wrong and gross margin is off every month. The company wants someone with real inventory, cost accounting, and margin analysis experience, plus a track record running cash flow, reporting, and close in a multi-entity environment.
What NetSuite experience counts?
NetSuite proficiency is required, because you'll administer the company's financial processes in it, not just run reports. When you apply, be specific: which NetSuite modules you've used, whether you've handled inventory costing or intercompany entries in it, and any cleanups, implementations, or automation you've led.
What does the company offer the right Controller?
- A high-growth company scaling from $25 million to $50 million or more in revenue
- A role that starts hands-on and grows into a CFO-level position
- The chance to build and lead your own finance team
- A direct reporting line to the CEO
- Strong systems in NetSuite, with room to automate
- An entrepreneurial, family-oriented culture
Compensation, benefits, and employment terms are discussed directly with qualified candidates by a Frontline Source Group recruiter.
How do you apply for this Antioch Controller opening?
Apply through Frontline Source Group at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. There's never a fee to candidates. Our interview instructions explain what to expect once you're talking with the company.
What happens after you apply?
A Frontline Source Group recruiter reviews your background and, if there's a fit, talks with you about the companies you've closed books for, your inventory and cost accounting work, your NetSuite depth, and what you're looking for in a path to CFO. Candidates who move forward are presented to the company with a summary of their background, and the recruiter coordinates interviews, feedback, and the offer from there.
Which Frontline Source Group office manages this search?
This search is managed by Frontline Source Group's Brentwood and Franklin office, which serves Middle Tennessee, including Antioch and the rest of southeast Nashville.
Frontline Source Group, Brentwood and Franklin
7101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 197
Brentwood, TN 37027
(615) 372-1533
brentwood@frtline.com
Office hours: Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time
The office line is for employers and general business inquiries. Candidates should apply online through the How to Apply page. You can learn more about the office on our Brentwood staffing agency page and about our Brentwood accounting staffing team.
Accounting and finance searches are a specialty of Senior Vice President of Operations Shelly Hubble, CSP, who holds the Certified Staffing Professional credential from the American Staffing Association. You can see more of our work on the accounting and finance staffing page, and every direct hire placement is backed by the 5-Year Placement Warranty.
Frequently Asked Questions: Distribution Controller, Antioch, Tennessee
Who is hiring a distribution Controller in Antioch, Tennessee?
A growing distribution company serving retail, wholesale, and foodservice customers in several states is hiring a Controller in Antioch, Tennessee. Frontline Source Group is managing the confidential search and shares the company's name with qualified candidates.
Is this Controller role hands-on?
Yes. It starts as an individual contributor role. You'll run accounting, cash, inventory costing, and the close yourself before building a team.
How does the Controller grow into a CFO?
The role is designed to evolve into a CFO-level position as the company grows from about $25 million toward $50 million or more in revenue. Along the way, you'll build and lead the finance team and help shape financial strategy with the CEO.
Will I build a finance team?
Yes. As the company expands, you'll make the key hiring and process decisions for a finance team that reports to you.
What does the Controller own day to day?
Cash management and forecasting, bank reconciliations, the month-end and year-end close, inventory and COGS reporting, AP, AR, payroll, commissions, budgets, internal controls, and financial processes in NetSuite.
What inventory accounting experience is needed?
Strong inventory accounting, cost accounting, and margin analysis experience, including landed cost and freight allocations, ideally in distribution or wholesale.
Is NetSuite required for this Antioch Controller position?
Yes. NetSuite ERP proficiency is required, since the Controller administers the company's financial processes in it.
Do I need to be a CPA?
No. A CPA or CMA is preferred, but it isn't required. A bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance and 5 or more years of progressive experience are required.
Where is Antioch, Tennessee?
Antioch is a community in southeast Nashville and part of Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County.
Which Frontline Source Group office manages this search?
Frontline Source Group's Brentwood and Franklin office manages the search from 7101 Executive Center Drive, Suite 197, Brentwood, TN 37027, phone (615) 372-1533, open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Central Time. The hiring company is a confidential client.
How do I apply for the Antioch Controller opening?
Apply at frontlinesourcegroup.com/how-to-apply.html. A Frontline Source Group recruiter reviews every application and reaches out to candidates whose background fits the role.
Is there a fee to candidates?
No. Frontline Source Group never charges candidates. The hiring company pays for the search.
