Controller - ConstructionRole SummaryThe Controller is responsible for leading accounting operations, maintaining strong internal controls, and producing accurate, timely financial information that supports business decisions. This role requires hands-on construction accounting expertise across multiple industries and project types, including job cost accounting, work-in-progress reporting, revenue recognition, billing, cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial close processes. The Controller converts financial and operational data into clear, actionable analysis that management can use to evaluate performance, manage risk, improve profitability, and guide strategic decisions.
This role is stationed out of our Fairlawn, OH HQ locationKey Responsibilities- Lead the monthly financial close process, including preparation and review of profit and loss statements, balance sheets, work-in-progress schedules, budget variance reports, cash reports, and other management reporting packages.
- Provide management with clear, actionable analysis of financial and operational performance, including project profitability, margin trends, cash flow, backlog, labor productivity, overhead spending, and business unit performance.
- Maintain and improve internal controls to safeguard company assets, ensure accurate financial reporting, and support compliance with company policies, accounting standards, contractual requirements, and applicable laws and regulations.
- Oversee construction accounting processes across multiple industries and project types, including job cost accounting, contract billing, change orders, retainage, cost-to-complete analysis, revenue recognition, and work-in-progress reporting.
- Partner with Presidents, Project Managers, Operations leaders, and executive management to review project financial status, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend corrective actions.
- Supervise accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll preparation and reporting, customer billing, cash management, and related accounting operations.
- Review cash and investments regularly and provide cash flow analysis, forecasting, and recommendations to support business planning and liquidity management.
- Coordinate annual audits, tax requests, bank reporting, regulatory reporting, and other external financial reviews.
- Develop and maintain budgets, forecasts, dashboards, and analytical tools that provide management with timely insight into financial performance and operating trends.
- Evaluate accounting systems, reporting tools, and business processes; recommend improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, scalability, and visibility.
- Lead, coach, and develop accounting staff; assign priorities, review work, provide feedback, and promote a collaborative, accountable team environment.
- Support executive presentations, Advisory Board materials, financing requests, and other special projects as requested.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
Education: - Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
- MBA, CPA, or CMA preferred.
Minimum Qualifications- 5-10 years of progressive accounting experience required, including experience in a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or senior accounting leadership role.
- Construction accounting experience required, with demonstrated exposure to multiple industries, business units, project types, or operating environments.
- Experience preparing management-ready financial analysis, dashboards, forecasts, and reporting packages that support executive and operational decision-making.
- Experience supervising accounting functions such as accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, billing, cash management, general ledger, and month-end close.
- Experience working directly with operations leaders, project managers, auditors, banks, external advisors, and executive management preferred.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, financial reporting, and construction accounting principles.
- Demonstrated experience with job cost accounting, work-in-progress reporting, percent-complete concepts, retainage, change orders, contract billing, and project profitability analysis.
- Ability to translate financial and operational data into practical analysis, dashboards, reports, and recommendations that management can use to make timely decisions.
- Experience supporting multiple business units, industries, entities, or project types with varying reporting and operational requirements.
- Advanced analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills with strong attention to accuracy and data integrity.
- Strong budgeting, forecasting, cash flow analysis, and variance analysis capabilities.
- Proficiency with construction accounting systems, ERP platforms, reporting tools, Microsoft Excel, and other business technology used to manage financial and project data.
- Ability to communicate financial information clearly to executives, operations leaders, project managers, lenders, auditors, vendors, and team members.
- Strong leadership, delegation, coaching, and team-development skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing business needs.
- High level of professionalism, confidentiality, ethical judgment, and business partnership.
DISCLAIMERSThis role description indicates in general the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of an incumbent.
All activities will be performed in support of the strategy, vision and values of Welty. Nothing in this role description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this role at any time.
