Director of Finance

The Director of Finance serves as the strategic and operational finance leader for the winery, responsible for safeguarding Gloria Ferrer’s financial integrity while providing clear, forward-looking financial insight to support business decisions. This role oversees all accounting and financial management functions, including Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, General Ledger, inventory and cost accounting, fixed assets, payroll oversight, compliance reporting, and financial analysis, while leading month-end and year-end close in accordance with GAAP. The Director strengthens internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure audit readiness, compliance, and scalability, and partners closely with the General Manager and department leaders across DTC, vineyards, production, and administration to drive budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and performance reporting. This role also oversees financial systems optimization and develops the accounting team, translating financial results into actionable insights around margins, inventory costing, operating expenses, and capital investments.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIE S

Accounting Functions

• Ensures financial policies, budgets, and forecasts align with overall company objectives. Regularly reviews existing accounting policies and procedures and recommends improvements, updates, or elimination of outdated practices to strengthen controls and increase efficiency
• Leads and oversees the full month-end close process through final financial statement production, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timeliness. Establishes clear expectations, accountability, and standards for the accounting team.
• Owns accounting department deadlines and the close calendar. Reviews and posts sub-ledgers (Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Tasting Room, and Sales & Inventory modules) after all monthly entries are complete. Prepares and/or reviews required journal entries as part of the close cycle.
• Ensures general ledger integrity through regular account reconciliations, reviewing and posting adjusting journal entries as needed. Reviews and processes intercompany/intracompany transactions, confirms proper coding and classification, and ensures financial statements reconcile to the trial balance.
• Prepares monthly internal and external financial reports and delivers timely, accurate financial information to management and key stakeholders. Ensures reporting supports both operational performance tracking and long‑term planning.
• Develops and maintains schedules for prepaid expenses, accruals, and fixed asset depreciation. Maintains fixed asset records, binders, and supporting databases, ensuring clear audit trails and compliance.
• Oversees compliance‑related filings including property tax filings related to fixed assets, sales and use tax returns, and broker commission calculations, ensuring accuracy and adherence to contractual and regulatory requirements.
• Partners with accounting staff to forecast cash flow, plan disbursements, and monitor daily banking activity and transactions. Provides visibility into short‑ and long‑term cash needs, timing of major payments, and working capital management.
• Oversees accounting systems administration and drives ongoing system optimization to improve efficiency, reporting capability, scalability, and internal user experience.
• Leads monthly financial reviews with department leaders (DTC, vineyards, production, and administration) in partnership with the General Manager. Helps leaders understand results, identify variances, and connect financial performance to operational drivers.
• Provides monthly financial metrics and performance reporting to the General Manager and Leadership Team, translating financial results into clear takeaways, risks, and recommended actions.
• Reviews payroll reporting following HR approval to confirm financial accuracy and ensure proper accounting treatment, allocations, and reporting consistency.

Audit, Compliance & Controls

• Serves as the primary liaison with external auditors and leads coordination of the annual audit process, ensuring a smooth, timely, and well‑organized experience.
• Develops and manages audit preparation timelines, communicates requirements to department leaders and accounting staff, and ensures timely collection of accurate supporting documentation.
• Coordinates with external tax accountants and provides required documentation for corporate and franchise tax preparation, ensuring completeness and adherence to deadlines.
• Plans and oversees year‑end physical inventory processes to ensure accuracy, proper valuation, and alignment with accounting standards and winery operational practices.
• Conducts annual internal reviews of company assets and key controls to support audit readiness, safeguard company resources, and promote strong financial integrity.

Other Responsibilities

• Support and model Gloria Ferrer culture and standards in all interactions, including ethical conduct and compliance with company policies and applicable laws.
• Perform other related duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must be a team player and able to prioritize safety, sustainability, and quality.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s Degree, in Finance, Accounting, or related field required; CPA preferred (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
• 6‑8 plus years of progressive finance/accounting leadership experience in private industry; beverage alcohol / winery experience strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of standard cost accounting and inventory valuation; experience in a manufacturing environment required.
• Proven ability to design, implement, and improve financial policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Demonstrated success leading, mentoring, and developing teams, and partnering effectively with internal stakeholders and external auditors, tax advisors, and agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Spanish a plus.
• Highly organized with strong prioritization, follow‑through, and deadline management; exceptional attention to detail and accuracy.
• Advanced computer proficiency, including MS Office with strong Excel skills required; experience with accounting systems and fixed asset software (e.g., AMS/BNA) a plus.
• Must have a valid driver’s license or be able to travel in a timely manner.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, talk, and hear. This role involves frequent use of hands and fingers to operate a computer, phone, and standard office equipment. The position is primarily office‑based, with periodic time spent in winery operations areas (production, warehouse, tasting room, and vineyards) as needed.

• Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods and move throughout the property during meetings, walkthroughs, and operational reviews.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 30–40 pounds on an occasional basis (e.g., boxes of documents, office supplies, or wine)
• Must be able to navigate indoor and outdoor areas, including uneven surfaces and stairs.
• Must be comfortable working in both indoor and outdoor environments, including varying weather conditions, when business needs require being onsite in operational areas.
• Must have the visual and auditory ability to effectively communicate with team members and vendors and to safely operate a vehicle or golf cart when required.

GENEROUS BENEFITS OFFERED

• Comprehensive health insurance options (medical, dental and vision)
• Flexible Savings Account and Health Saving Account, with contribution.
• Life Insurance, Short‑Term and Long‑Term Disability Insurance.
• 401K and Roth 401K plans, with matching contributions.
• Paid Time Off (Holidays, Vacation and Sick)
• Paid Maternity and Paternity Leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• On‑Site Winery Benefits
• Educational Assistance Recognition Programs

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