R3 Lithium operates North America's first commercial-scale lithium carbonate recovery facility, located in Covington, Georgia. Using a lithium-first extraction process, the company recovers, refines, and returns lithium carbonate from recycled black mass into the battery supply chain for energy storage systems, defense applications, and electric vehicles. Founded in 2026 and privately held, R3 Lithium is headquartered at 9176 Industrial Drive NE, Covington, Georgia. For more information, visit www.r3lithium.com.

The Controller reports to the Chief Financial Officer and will play a key leadership role in managing the accounting and financial operations of R3 Lithium. This position will be responsible for overseeing day-to-day accounting activities, financial reporting, month-end and year-end close, internal controls, compliance, and the continued development of scalable financial processes and systems.

As part of a lean and growing organization, the Controller will work closely with the CFO and business leaders to provide timely and accurate financial information, strengthen financial controls, support budgeting and forecasting, and help build the financial infrastructure needed to support the Company's growth. This role requires a hands-on leader who is equally comfortable managing detailed accounting activities, improving processes, and providing financial insight to senior leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, cash management, fixed assets, accruals, and other accounting activities.
• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting and maintaining appropriate supporting schedules and reconciliations.
• Prepare and review financial statements and management reporting in accordance with GAAP and Company requirements.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and ensure balance sheet accounts are appropriately reconciled, reviewed, and supported.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls to safeguard Company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.
• Partner with the CFO on budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, financial analysis, and other strategic finance initiatives.
• Analyze financial results, budget-to-actual performance, and key variances and provide meaningful insights and recommendations to leadership.
• Manage and monitor cash activity, banking relationships, and treasury processes to support liquidity and effective cash management.
• Coordinate annual audits and serve as a primary point of contact for external auditors, ensuring requested information and supporting documentation are provided accurately and timely.
• Support federal, state, and local tax compliance and reporting requirements in partnership with external tax advisors and other service providers.
• Maintain compliance with applicable accounting standards, regulatory requirements, Company policies, and financial reporting requirements.
• Partner with cross-functional leaders to develop budgets, monitor spending, improve financial discipline, and ensure appropriate accounting treatment of business activities.
• Support the development and implementation of financial systems, tools, and integrations, with a focus on scalability, data integrity, efficiency, and internal controls.
• Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounting processes and implement improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and visibility.
• Develop financial reports, analyses, and presentations for the CFO, senior leadership, Board, investors, lenders, and other stakeholders as needed.
• Support accounting and financial due diligence, financing activities, insurance requirements, and other corporate initiatives as needed.
• Establish appropriate documentation and processes to support a growing organization and ensure the accounting function can scale effectively with the business.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and development to accounting and finance team members and external resources, as applicable.
• Serve as a key member of the Finance team and trusted financial partner to leaders across the organization.
• Support special projects and evolving Finance priorities as the Company continues to grow.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including experience within a manufacturing, industrial, or similarly complex operating environment.
• Demonstrated experience owning monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes and preparing accurate financial statements.
• Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting requirements.
• Experience establishing, maintaining, and improving accounting processes, policies, and internal controls.
• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, cash flow, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Experience supporting external audits and working with auditors, tax advisors, banks, and other external partners.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate financial information into actionable business insights.
• Meticulous attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy and accountability.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively partner with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to operate independently, exercise sound judgment, and take ownership of financial processes from start to finish.
• Comfortable working in a lean, evolving organization where responsibilities may extend beyond traditional Controller duties.
• Proficiency with accounting and financial systems and Microsoft Excel, with demonstrated ability to learn and implement new systems and processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or other relevant professional certification.
• Experience working in a startup, high-growth, or newly established organization.
• Experience building or scaling accounting processes, controls, and financial systems.
• Experience within manufacturing, battery materials, chemicals, energy, or another capital-intensive industry.
• Experience with ERP implementation, optimization, or financial systems integration.