Controller Intern Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Join a Mission That Matters – Enrich Lives with Butterball® Farms

At Butterball® Farms, we’re more than a butter manufacturer — we’re a company built on purpose. For over 60 years, we’ve partnered with some of the world’s leading food brands to create innovative, value-added butter products that bring flavor and quality to millions of tables. But our impact goes beyond what we make — our mission is simple: to Enrich Lives, inside and outside our walls.

Recognized as one of West Michigan’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work For, Butterball Farms is a place where people grow, ideas thrive, and collaboration drives excellence.

Here, we think like a team — working together to bring out the best in one another, celebrate progress, and keep raising the bar. As our business evolves, new people and ideas strengthen our foundation, helping us continue to deliver excellence.

At Butterball® Farms, we believe our team members are our greatest investment — that’s why we offer a comprehensive, competitive benefits package designed to support your growth and well-being, both at work and beyond.

• Opportunities for Growth & Advancement
  • Build your career in an environment that encourages development, accountability, and internal promotion.
• High-Performance Culture
  • Join a workplace where we challenge each other to grow, think differently, and deliver our best — every shift, every day.
• Inclusive & Supportive Environment
  • We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect. Every voice matters.
• Competitive Pay & Shift Premiums
  • Additional premiums for 2nd and 3rd shift roles.
• Comprehensive Benefits Plan
  • Medical, Dental, Vision, Critical Illness, Flexible Spending, Dependent Care, and Accident Insurance.
• Paid Time Off & Holidays
  • Because rest and balance make us stronger.
• 401(k) with Company Match
  • Invest in your future while you help us build ours.
• Tuition Reimbursement & Continuous Learning
  • Grow your career with educational support.
• Community Connection
  • Access The Source for resources, financial counseling, and family services — supporting the whole you.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Confidential support for personal, family, or work-related matters.

Job Summary

The Controller is responsible for leading the accounting operations of Butterball Farms, Inc. and ensuring the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting. As a key member of the Finance team, the Controller partners closely with the CFO and operational leaders to support sound financial decision-making, maintain strong internal controls, and drive continuous improvement across the organization. The Controller will play a key role in supporting the company's growth strategy, including acquisition due diligence, integration activities, and development of scalable financial processes. This position provides leadership for accounting operations, cost accounting oversight, financial reporting, compliance, audit coordination, cash management, and financial systems administration.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Oversee Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, cash management, and general accounting functions.
• Review daily liquidity and cash position reporting.
• Coordinate annual financial reviews, audits, tax preparation, and related external reporting requirements.
• Develop, maintain, and enforce accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Oversee product costing, inventory valuation, standard costs, BOMs, routings, and manufacturing cost accounting processes.
• Review production variances and partner with Operations to improve cost accuracy and profitability.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities led by the CFO.
• Maintain fixed asset records and support capital expenditure tracking and reporting.
• Oversee customer rebate and commission calculations.
• Serve as accounting lead for ERP systems, reporting tools, and process improvement initiatives.
• Support banking, insurance, compliance, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Provide financial analysis and decision support to operational leaders.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting and team.
• Provide direct supervision of the Senior Cost Accountant, AR/AP & Cash Specialist, and Finance Intern.
• Promote accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Support succession planning, training, and professional development.

Growth, Acquisitions & Integration

• Support evaluation of acquisition, partnership, and growth opportunities by providing accounting, financial reporting, and operational due diligence.
• Participate in financial due diligence activities, including review of historical financial statements, working capital, inventory, cost accounting practices, and internal controls.
• Assist in assessing the quality of earnings, accounting policies, and financial reporting processes of potential acquisition targets.
• Lead or support post-acquisition integration activities related to accounting, financial reporting, ERP systems, internal controls, inventory valuation, and financial processes.
• Evaluate the scalability of accounting systems, reporting capabilities, and control environments to support future growth initiatives.
• Partner with the CFO, and operational leaders to develop integration plans, establish reporting structures, and ensure a smooth transition of acquired businesses.
• Support the implementation of standardized accounting policies, procedures, and performance reporting across acquired entities.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• CPA preferred.
• 7–10 years of progressive accounting experience.
• 3+ years of supervisory experience preferred.
• Prior experience as a Controller, Finance Director, or senior finance leader within a mid-size manufacturing organization – food industry preferred (approximately $100M–$500M in annual revenue).
• Cost accounting experience required
• ERP experience required; Sage X3 experience preferred.