Controller

LICT Corporation is seeking a hands-on Controller to oversee the accounting and financial reporting functions of its Kansas operations, including J.B.N. Telephone Company (JBN), Giant Communications, Inc. (Giant), and Haviland Telephone Company, doing business as Haviland Broadband (HBB). The Controller will be responsible for the integrity, timeliness, and consistency of accounting across the two subsidiary groups and will work closely with local operating leadership and LICT corporate finance.

The role is expected to be based primarily in the JBN/Giant office in Holton, Kansas. Regular on-site presence will also be required at the Haviland operations, anticipated to represent approximately 15% of the Controller's time. This is an operating-company finance leadership role suited for a CPA who is equally comfortable managing close and reporting processes, developing accounting staff, strengthening controls, supporting regulated telecom reporting, and partnering with business leaders on budgets, capital investment, and performance.

About the Kansas Operations

JBN and Haviland Broadband provide broadband and traditional voice services across 27 small towns and surrounding rural areas in Kansas. JBN operates principally in five counties in northeast Kansas, while Haviland operates in eight counties southwest of Wichita. Together, the two incumbent local exchange carriers serve approximately 4,500 broadband subscribers and 1,600 traditional telephone subscribers, with a growing majority of customers served over fiber-to-the-home networks.

Giant Communications, JBN's competitive affiliate and the Kansas operation's primary non-regulated services brand, provides broadband, video, wireless, cellular, and voice services in northeast Kansas and Topeka market, while Haviland Broadband provides managed services and cloud-based voice to the Wichita and south-central Kansas markets. Giant serves approximately 4,500 broadband subscribers and supports approximately 4,500 cloud-based voice seats, including a meaningful base of business and educational customers.

Both JBN and Haviland participate in the FCC's Enhanced Alternative Connect America Model (E-ACAM) universal service program and continue to invest in fiber-to-the-home and fixed wireless infrastructure. The Kansas operations also manage grant-funded and other broadband expansion projects, making disciplined capital accounting, regulatory compliance, internal controls, and accurate financial reporting central to this role.

Reports to: General Manager

Department:  Accounting

Classification: Salaried Exempt

Key Skills & Attributes

Hands-on accounting leadership, High standards for accuracy and accountability, Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, Ability to build relationships across locations and

functions, Process-improvement mindset, Clear, practical communication style, Comfort working in a decentralized operating-company environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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  Lead the accounting functions for JBN/Giant and Haviland, establishing consistent processes, standards, deadlines, and accountability across both locations.


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  Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure timely, accurate financial statements and reporting packages in accordance with U.S. GAAP and LICT reporting requirements.


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  Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and subsidiary ledgers; review journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, estimates, and significant or unusual transactions.


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  Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting personnel across the Kansas operations; assign responsibilities, monitor workflow, evaluate performance, and improve bench strength and cross-training.


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  Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures to safeguard assets and support complete and reliable financial reporting.


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  Ensure appropriate accounting and reporting for regulated telecommunications operations, including familiarity with FCC Part 32 requirements and support for NECA, USAC, state, cost study, and related regulatory reporting processes.


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  Coordinate the preparation of information required for cost separations, cost studies, settlements, access-related reporting, and other regulatory filings in collaboration with internal and external specialists.


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  Lead budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis for both subsidiary groups; provide management with clear explanations of financial performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.


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  Oversee accounting for capital expenditures and broadband construction projects, including project cost accumulation, capitalization, placed-in-service timing, depreciation, grant or support-related tracking, and reconciliation to fixed-asset records.


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  Support financial governance and compliance for E-ACAM, grant-funded, and other government-supported broadband projects, including cost tracking, documentation, and reporting requirements.


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  Manage cash forecasting, working-capital reporting, and other treasury-related accounting activities in coordination with local management and LICT corporate finance.


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  Coordinate and support annual external audits and other financial or regulatory examinations; ensure schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation are complete and delivered on time.


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  Partner with operating leadership to develop meaningful KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting that improve visibility into subscriber trends, revenue, margins, operating costs, capital deployment, and return on investment.


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  Identify opportunities to standardize, automate, and improve accounting processes, systems, reporting tools, and data quality across the Kansas operations.


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  Communicate financial results and accounting matters clearly to local leadership, LICT corporate finance, external auditors, regulators, and other stakeholders.


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  Perform other related duties and special projects as assigned.

Access to Sensitive Areas and Information

• Accounting offices


• Reporting staff personnel files


• All payroll files


• Accounting and the company budget

General Qualifications

• Financial Management


• Technical Capacity


• Ethical Conduct


• Thoroughness


• Communication Proficiency

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.


• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.


• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience preferred, including at least 5 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, senior accounting, or comparable leadership role.


• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and audit support.


• Demonstrated experience leading and developing accounting teams in a multi-entity or multi-location environment.


• Strong general-ledger, financial-systems, and advanced Excel skills; experience with ERP/GL, consolidation, business-intelligence, and reporting tools strongly preferred.


• Experience in telecommunications, utilities, or another regulated industry preferred. Familiarity with FCC Part 32 accounting, NECA/USAC processes, cost studies, or regulated telecom accounting is highly desirable.


• Experience with capital-intensive operations, construction accounting, grant-funded projects, or government support programs is preferred.


• Ability to operate as a hands-on leader - capable of reviewing detailed accounting work while also providing clear financial insight to senior management.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to organize and prioritize multiple deadlines.


• Ability and willingness to work primarily on-site in Holton, Kansas and maintain regular on-site presence at the Haviland operations, approximately 15% of the time.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position supervises all accounting department positions.

Work Environment

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

Physical Demands

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

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

The employee is occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

This is a full-time position:  Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Travel

Frequent Travel should be expected- Regular on-site presence at Haviland Operations, approximately 15% of time

AAP/EEO Statement

JBN Telephone Company, Inc. and Giant Communications, Inc. (Company) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.  In addition to federal law requirements, Company complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Company expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.  Improper interference with the ability of Company’s employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.