Job Description: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
- Develop, 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
- Coordinate 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
- Assist 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
