Alia Corporation | Merced, California | Full-Time About Alia Corporation Alia Corporation is a family-owned McDonald's franchise organization with 60 restaurants across California, Georgia, and Alabama , along with gas stations, hotel development, and a real estate portfolio. We operate with a lean, hands-on leadership structure and believe good financial information should do more than record what happened—it should help us operate better. We are looking for an experienced Controller to own the accounting function across our multi-entity organization, maintain the integrity of our financial information, and continually improve the systems and processes behind it. This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys both the discipline of clean accounting and the challenge of understanding how the numbers connect to the operation. The Role Reporting directly to the Owner and working closely with our outside CPA firm and operating leadership, the Controller is responsible for the accuracy, timeliness, and integrity of financial reporting across the organization. The Controller will own the monthly close, balance-sheet integrity, cash and banking oversight, fixed assets, development-project accounting, and financial controls across multiple entities. This is a hands-on Controller position. We want someone willing to dig into the details when necessary while also stepping back to identify trends, improve processes, strengthen controls, and help leadership understand what the numbers are telling us. Must be willing to work in our office in Merced at least 4 days per week. Key Responsibilities Financial Reporting & Monthly Close Own and coordinate the month-end close across all restaurants, gas stations, rental properties, development projects, and related entities, with financial statements completed by the 20th of each month. Ensure all balance-sheet accounts—including bank, credit card, intercompany, payroll, benefits, and owner accounts—are properly reconciled each month. Maintain accurate McDonald's financial ratio and food-cost reporting. Prepare actual-versus-norm and line-item variance reporting that identifies meaningful opportunities for Operations Directors and leadership. Help operators understand the financial drivers behind their results—not simply report what happened. Cash, Banking & Accounts Payable Maintain visibility over daily cash activity across multiple bank accounts and entities. Verify deposits and resolve funds-in-transit, cashless, credit-card settlement, and other reconciliation issues. Maintain the daily cash-flow forecast and support the weekly cash-flow review. Oversee accounts payable, including coding, approvals, payment controls, and payment runs. Fixed Assets, Real Estate & Development Maintain accurate fixed-asset and capital-equipment ledgers and depreciation schedules. Account for construction draws, capital expenditures, and payments associated with hotel and other development projects. Maintain debt schedules and support loan documentation, lender reporting, and financing requirements. Ensure transactions between operating companies, real-estate entities, and other related businesses are accurately recorded and reconciled. Payroll, Labor & Benefits Accounting Review payroll journal entries and reconcile payroll, 401(k), benefits, and related accounts. Payroll processing is handled separately. Support pay-period labor and overtime reporting against established targets. Calculate and prepare monthly General Manager bonus reporting for review and approval. Tax, Insurance & Compliance Serve as the primary day-to-day accounting contact for our outside CPA firm. Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for tax filings, year-end accounting, and other compliance requirements. Maintain accurate accounting and records for workers' compensation, liability, auto, health, and other insurance programs and assist with renewals. Maintain appropriate accounting and reporting for leases, vehicles, and other recurring commitments. Controls, Systems & Continuous Improvement Strengthen internal controls across cash handling, banking, accounts payable, financial reporting, and restaurant back-office systems. Identify opportunities to automate repetitive accounting and reporting processes. Improve the use of accounting, restaurant, and operational data to produce faster and more useful information. Build processes that are accurate and disciplined without creating unnecessary bureaucracy for restaurant operations. Continually look for ways to make the finance function simpler, faster, more reliable, and more useful to the people running the business. What We're Looking For Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. At least 5 years of progressive accounting experience , including direct responsibility for month-end close and financial-statement preparation. Strong understanding of GAAP, accrual accounting, balance-sheet reconciliations, fixed assets, and multi-entity accounting. Experience in a multi-location environment strongly preferred. Restaurant, franchise, retail, hospitality, real estate, or other transaction-intensive business experience is particularly relevant. Advanced Excel skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with accounting and operating data. Experience with QuickBooks, Restaurant 365, QSRSoft, or similar accounting and restaurant systems is helpful. Strong organizational skills and the ability to consistently meet deadlines across multiple entities. Comfortable working directly with ownership and non-financial operating leaders. A practical, problem-solving mindset—you should be as comfortable investigating why an account doesn't reconcile as you are explaining a financial result to an Operations Director. High integrity and discretion with confidential business and financial information. CPA or CMA credentials are valued but not required. The Person Who Will Thrive Here You take pride in knowing the numbers are right. You don't wait for someone else to find a problem. You like building better processes, but you understand that accounting exists to support the business—not the other way around. You can move comfortably between detail and perspective: reconciling an account one moment and helping understand a business trend the next. Most importantly, you want meaningful responsibility in an entrepreneurial organization where your work will be visible, and your judgment will matter.

Compensation & Benefits Starting Salary Range:

$120,000-$155,000 annually, depending on experience and qualifications, plus performance-based incentive opportunity. 401(k) with company match Health, dental, and vision benefits Paid time off Additional benefits as applicable

Pay:

$120,000.00 - $155,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person