Agricultural Controller (EH-11051)


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Job Title: Agricultural Controller (EH-11051)
Location: WI, Midwest United States, USA

Company: Hansen Agri-PLACEMENT
Industry Sector: Production/Farming
Industry Type: Crop Production
Career Type: Accounting/Finance/Asset Management
Job Type: Full Time
Minimum Years Experience Required: 5
Salary: $150,000+/-
Job Description:

PLEASE NOTE: We will not reply if your resume does not meet position requirements. Please understand your education and experience must match our job listings for you to be considered. You must be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident to be considered for any U.S. positions.

 

There is NO closing date on this position.  This position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.

 

Position Overview

A confidential multi-entity agricultural producer is seeking a hands-on, operationally minded Agricultural Controller to take ownership of the core Ag operating entities within a diversified, multi-entity farm business. This is not a purely delegative or oversight role. The successful candidate will be comfortable rolling up their sleeves, performing transactional accounting work when needed, and gradually helping modernize and improve financial structure, reporting, and decision support.

This role functions as the financial lead (Controller / CFO-equivalent) for the primary Ag entities (farm, ranch, grain, Ag-related operating companies), while partnering closely with an existing senior finance leader who oversees numerous non-Ag and commercial entities. The role requires humility, collaboration, and the ability to work effectively in a small, long-tenured office environment.

Who Will Succeed in This Role
This position is best suited for a candidate who:

- Thrives in small-team, family-business environments
- Is comfortable performing both transactional and strategic accounting work
- Builds trust through collaboration rather than authority
- Is willing to learn existing processes first before driving change
- Understands agriculture is seasonal, imperfect, and relationship-driven

This is not a fit for candidates seeking a high-level, purely managerial role with minimal hands-on responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

Core Accounting & Financial Operations

- Own day-to-day accounting for core Ag operating entities, including GL, reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting
- Maintain Direct responsibility for payroll in the near term (non-negotiable), with potential evolution as the organization grows
- Prepare and review monthly and year-end financials for internal leadership and external CPA/tax partners
- Ensure accuracy, consistency, and timeliness across multi-entity accounting structures

Working Role Expectations

- Perform transactional work (AP/AR, journal entries, clean-up) as needed, especially during onboarding and peak operational periods
- Learn existing systems and workflows through close collaboration with current staff before recommending changes
- Support and gradually refine role separation for AP, AR, and payroll as the structure evolves

Financial Leadership & Decision Support

- Develop and improve budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow modeling for Ag operations
- Provide actionable financial insight to ownership to support operational and capital decisions
- Assist with cost analysis related to crop production, livestock, grain operations, and input purchasing
- Improve management reporting and financial visibility over time

Process Improvement & Systems

- Conduct an internal review ("audit") of accounting processes after the onboarding period (3-6 months)
- Recommend practical, scalable improvements aligned with a growing Ag business
- Participate in long-term planning for system modernization (ERP exposure a plus, not required)

Qualifications & Experience

Required:

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
- Experience with multi-entity accounting environments
- Willingness to perform hands-on accounting work
- Strong interpersonal skills suited for small, close-knit teams

Preferred:

- Agriculture, agribusiness, or manufacturing accounting background
- Experience in farm, ranch, grain, or commodity-driven operations
- Exposure to payroll processing and internal controls
- ERP or system-implementation experience (Ag-specific ERP a plus)
- CPA or advanced certification a plus, not required

Culture & Fit Considerations (Important)

- This role works closely with long-tenured team members
- Success depends on collaboration, patience, and relationship-building
- Change is welcomed, but must be earned through trust and understanding
- Candidate must be comfortable starting as a contributor before evolving into broader leadership

Why This Opportunity

- Opportunity to shape financial operations for a growing, diversified Ag business
- High visibility and partnership with ownership
- Long-term potential to expand financial leadership scope
- Stable, values-driven family organization

 

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Hansen Agri-PLACEMENT is searching for an experienced Agricultural Controller for this progressive Wisconsin-based Ag Producer. Due to significant business growth and expansion across the company's multiple agricultural entities, the organization has created this role to provide dedicated financial leadership for its core Ag operations.

The Controller will have full P&L responsibility for multiple divisions, reporting directly to ownership and executive leadership. This role is being established as the current CFO transitions focus to other areas of the organization. The role is being established as the current CFO transitions focus to other areas of the organization. The Controller will work alongside an existing bookkeeping team, including an office manager supporting farm and grain operations and a part-time team member assisting with ranch accounting and overflow work.

This role requires hands-on accounting involvement to address current gaps while simultaneously designing and implementing improved systems and workflows. The position offers direct access to ownership, meaningful influence over financial and operational strategy, and the opportunity to build modern, scalable financial systems that support the unique realities of agricultural operations.

 

 

BENEFITS:

 

401(k) plan with 3% company match, Company paid life and disability insurance, Health and dental insurance (75% employer paid for employee only), Participation in industry conferences and agricultural finance networks, Professional development allowance and support for continuing education, Relocation assistance

 

 

ALL INQUIRIES ARE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. NO FEES TO APPLICANTS.

If you feel that you are not a candidate for this position, but know someone who is, we do offer a Referral Bonus if we place your referral into this position.

To apply please click on APPLY TO THIS POSITION

Job Post Date: 01/13/26
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Career Type: Accounting/Finance/Asset Management
Country: USA

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