Corporate Controller -Earth Systems

We are seeking a Corporate Controller to join our executive finance team within a national environmental consulting firm. This is a high-impact, high-intensity strategic role—not a position for junior accountants, transactional staff, or financial administrators. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates critical thinking under pressure, and is comfortable making high-stakes decisions. Reporting directly to the CFO, you will collaborate with the corporate finance team, project managers (PMs), and leadership across multiple entities to drive financial integrity, compliance, and performance. This role requires a regular in-office presence—at least three days per week.

Key Responsibilities:

GAAP Compliance & Technical Accounting

• Maintain an expert-level command of GAAP, particularly in project-based environments involving: Time-and-materials billing, Fixed-fee and milestone contracts, Percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, Lease accounting (ASC 842)
• Ensure all financial transactions, reports, and internal controls are fully GAAP-compliant and properly documented
• Lead technical accounting research and provide guidance on complex transactions and contract structures
• Interpret evolving accounting standards and update internal policies accordingly
• Serve as the primary resource for technical accounting questions from internal teams, auditors, and the parent company
  Financial Reporting
• Prepare, review, and distribute monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for internal and external stakeholders, including investors and executive leadership
• Manage multi-entity consolidation and ensure accuracy of intercompany eliminations and reporting packages
• Maintain and update income statements, balance sheets, cash flow reports, and executive summaries for each reporting cycle
• Develop templates and standardized reporting tools for various levels of the organization
• Ensure financial statement footnotes and disclosures align with GAAP and audit requirements
  Advanced Excel & Reporting Tools
• Build and maintain complex Excel-based financial models, including: Pivot tables, VLOOKUP, INDEX-MATCH, nested IF formulas, Dynamic dashboards, conditional formatting, and automation tools
• Design reports to support budget tracking, project variance analysis, labor utilization, and profitability
• Integrate Excel with systems like VantagePoint, Ajera, and Dynamics 365 for streamlined reporting workflows
  Budget Management & Forecasting
• Lead development and management of the corporate and project-level annual budget
• Work directly with PMs to align labor plans, resource allocations, and contract-based revenue targets
• Prepare rolling forecasts, margin analysis, and reforecasting scenarios based on project performance
• Analyze and report budget-to-actual variances by GL account, department, and project
• Recommend cost controls and process improvements based on real-time financial data
  Executive & Investor Reporting
• Produce high-level financial reporting packages for executives, board members, and investors
• Summarize KPIs, project performance, backlog trends, and revenue forecasts into clear, concise presentations
• Support investor relations and due diligence by delivering detailed, accurate, and actionable financial reports
• Respond to lender and investor inquiries with supporting documentation and trend insights
  Balance Sheet Management
• Oversee daily cash and treasury operations, ensuring timely and accurate reconciliation of all accounts
• Monitor cash activity for correct GL classification across business units
• Maintain and reconcile key schedules: Prepaids and monthly amortization, Prepaid rent and right-of-use assets (ROU), Fixed assets and depreciation schedules, Intangibles and amortization tracking
• Manage month-end and year-end close, including accruals, adjusting entries, and final review with entity controllers
• Ensure accuracy of trial balance, balance sheet integrity, and timely issue resolution
  Payroll & Labor Allocation
• Review and reconcile payroll entries; allocate direct salary costs to appropriate cost centers and projects
• Track and adjust accrued PTO balances; provide ad-hoc payroll-related reporting (e.g., 401k tracking, direct cost calculations)
  Work in Progress (WIP) & Revenue Recognition
• Prepare and analyze WIP reports for both flat-fee and unbilled labor projects
• Coordinate with PMs to ensure all work performed is reflected in billing or WIP
• Review pending invoices and deposits to validate correct revenue treatment
• Match cost of sales to revenue and WIP; investigate margin discrepancies
  Accounts Receivable & Collections Oversight
• Deliver monthly AR aging reports and collaborate with PMs on overdue accounts
• Lead internal collection efforts and supervise collections assistant
• Maintain CECL reserve and report on AR risk trends to the CFO
  Month-End Close & Executive Reporting
• Oversee and execute a timely and accurate month-end close process
• Prepare consolidated financial reports, WIP summaries, and revenue performance dashboards
• Provide commentary and trend analysis to inform leadership decisions
  Audit Support
• Serve as point of contact for annual financial audits and corporate financial reviews
• Respond to audit requests and ensure all documentation and schedules are complete and audit-ready
• Educate PMs on audit expectations and ensure consistent documentation practices across the company
  PM & Cross-Department Collaboration
• Build strong relationships with Project Managers to translate financial data into operational insights
• Assist department leads with custom reports, budget tools, and margin analysis
• Train non-financial team members on financial literacy as needed
  Team Oversight
• Guide affiliate controllers and entity-level accounting teams to ensure consistency and alignment
• Support the CFO with financial planning initiatives, systems upgrades, and process improvements
  Other Duties
• Support additional initiatives, acquisitions, and corporate projects as assigned

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum 6 years of progressive experience in corporate finance, preferably in a consulting or project-based firm
• Proven expertise in GAAP compliance, revenue recognition, and technical accounting
• Strong track record of producing accurate, investor-ready financial reports and managing complex project and corporate budgets
• Advanced Excel skills including pivot tables, nested formulas, dashboards, and dynamic modeling
• Proficiency in VantagePoint, Ajera, Dynamics 365, or equivalent ERP/accounting systems; SQL a plus
• Excellent communication, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven, high-stakes environment

Key Competencies:

• GAAP Expertise: Apply and enforce technical standards across all areas of financial operations
• Integrity & Accountability: Uphold financial transparency and ethical decision-making
• Critical Thinking: Evaluate data and policies with precision and purpose
• Complex Problem Solving: Address multifaceted financial challenges with structured, innovative solutions
• Dealing with Ambiguity: Navigate uncertainty while maintaining accuracy and control
• Reliability & Follow-Through: Consistently deliver quality work and honor commitments
• Emotional Intelligence: Communicate effectively, resolve conflict diplomatically, and lead with empathy
• Strategic Judgment: Align financial strategy with company objectives and operational goals
• Analytical Acumen: Synthesize data into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders
• Leadership: Motivate and guide financial teams across multiple business units
• Technical Mastery: Leverage systems and tools to enhance accounting and reporting efficiency

Other Important Info:

• This is a full-time, exempt position.
• Earth Systems is a drug-free workplace.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future visa sponsorship.
• We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities.