Controller

Position Summary

The Controller is responsible for leading all accounting and financial reporting functions for a privately held, non-union construction management and general contracting firm. This role ensures accurate project accounting, disciplined financial controls, and timely reporting to support operational decision-making, profitability, and cash flow. The Controller partners closely with project executives, operations leaders, and preconstruction teams to provide financial insight across the full project lifecycle—from pursuit through closeout.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting Leadership & Governance: Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, project accounting, cost accounting, payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting

• Establish and maintain strong internal controls appropriate for a private construction company

• Mentor and manage the accounting team, fostering accountability, accuracy, and continuous improvement

• Comply with federal, state, and local legal requirements by studying existing and new legislation; anticipating future legislation; enforcing adherence to requirements; filing financial reports; advising management on needed actions

• Assist the CFO with General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) Construction & Project Accounting

• Oversee percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting in accordance with GAAP

• Review and approve Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules, ensuring accuracy of revenue recognition, cost-to-complete estimates, and projected margins

• Partner with project managers and executives to analyze job performance, identify risks, and address margin erosion early

• Ensure proper accounting for change orders, allowances, contingencies, retainage, claims, and closeout adjustments

• Support project setup and cost structure consistency across all jobs

• Financial Reporting & Close Process

• Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes

• Prepare accurate and meaningful financial statements, dashboards, and variance analyses, as well as initiating corrective actions, for executive leadership

• Cook up annual financial reviews or audits with external CPA firms

• Oversee tax compliance coordination with external advisors (no direct tax preparation required)

• Monitor financial operations to ensure compliance with budgets

• Cash Flow, Working Capital & Risk Management

• Manage company-wide and project-level cash flow forecasting

• Monitor underbillings, overbillings, retention, and billing cycles to maintain strong liquidity

• Support banking and surety relationships by preparing financial packages, covenant reporting, and WIP support

• Afford assistance in evaluating contractual financial risk, project exposure, and claims strategy in partnership with operations

• Preconstruction & Operational Partnership

• Collaborate with preconstruction and estimating teams to ensure consistent financial assumptions and cost structures

• Provide historical cost and margin analysis to support bidding and fee strategy

• Support leadership in evaluating project delivery methods (CM, GMP, design-build) from a financial risk perspective

• Systems & Process Improvement

• Oversee and optimize the construction ERP system and reporting tools

• Standardize accounting policies, procedures, and job cost practices relating to financial and business practices of the company

• Drive automation and efficiency improvements in billing, reporting, and close processes

• Improve visibility into project and company performance through dashboards and metrics

Skills And Abilities

• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, Viewpoint, SharePoint, pVault, and other software required to perform job duties

• Excellent interpersonal skills with advanced customer service orientation, including practical verbal and written communication skills

• Ability to maintain and handle confidential information within appropriate standards

• Advanced knowledge of general business and company procedures

• Full understanding of GAAP and construction accounting practices

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a practical, operations-focused mindset

• Ability to communicate financial results clearly to project managers and leaders

• Operate with integrity, and have a high level of attention to detail and sound judgment

• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, project-driven environment

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to comply with the company’s Authorized Driver policy.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (required)

• CPA (strongly preferred)

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with significant experience in private, non-union construction

• Proven experience in CM/GC or general contracting environments

• Strong background in project accounting, WIP reporting, and POC revenue recognition

• Experience supporting privately held ownership structures and executive leadership