Controller

Summary: To provide direction and control over the financial and accounting activities in a project-driven mechanical contracting environment by safeguarding company assets, ensuring accurate and timely reporting (including job cost and Work-in-Progress reporting), supporting operational decision-making, and leading the development and execution of financial plans that drive profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Serve as a proactive business partner to executive leadership, project management, estimating, and operations—translating financial results into actionable insights.
• Prepare and present monthly financial packets and dashboards; explain results, trends, and variances to leadership and operations.
• Work directly with Project Managers and the service team to review project performance, backlog, margin risks, and corrective action plans.
• Support estimating and contract review by validating cost assumptions, labor burden rates, markups, and financial terms that impact profitability and cash flow.

Accounting Operations & Close

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, payroll, fixed assets, and related reconciliations.
• Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close to deliver accurate, timely financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow) and management reporting.
• Prepare, review, and post journal entries; ensure proper accruals, deferrals, and cut-off each period.
• Perform and/or review key account reconciliations (cash, AR/AP, payroll liabilities, inventory/stock, fixed assets) and resolve discrepancies promptly.
• Manage weekly check runs/ACH payments, vendor statement reconciliation, and AP aging review; maintain strong purchasing and vendor communication.
• Oversee invoicing support functions such as cash application, AR aging review, and dispute resolution to keep receivables current.
• Review payroll registers and related tax filings for accuracy; ensure timely processing of union fringes, deductions, and payroll liabilities as applicable.

Job Costing & Project Financial Management

• Own job costing and project accounting processes, ensuring accurate cost coding, labor allocation, and visibility into project performance.
• Review, and analyze Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules, including revenue recognition and percentage-of-completion reporting where applicable.
• Partner with Project Managers to review budgets, forecasts, change orders, under/over-billings, margin fade, and corrective actions.
• Set up new jobs and cost codes, validate budgets and labor burden rates, and ensure consistent cost coding across field, service, and shop activities.
• Compile WIP inputs (costs incurred, estimated costs to complete, billings, retainage) and reconcile WIP to the general ledger and billing records.
• Review change orders, claims, and contract modifications for proper accounting treatment and timely inclusion in forecasts and billings.
• Identify margin fade, cost overruns, and unapproved change exposure early; escalate issues and track follow-through on recovery actions.

Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Coordinate and direct preparation of the annual operating plan and financial budget with supporting analysis; provide rolling forecasts and variance explanations.
• Build and maintain department-level budgets (field, service, shop, overhead) including labor planning, fleet/equipment, and benefit burden assumptions.
• Maintain a consistent forecasting cadence; track key KPIs (gross margin, labor productivity, backlog, cash conversion) and communicate risks/opportunities.
• Update labor burden and overhead allocation rates as needed; ensure rates are reflected in job costing, estimates, and management reporting.

Cash Flow, Banking & Treasury

• Manage cash flow forecasting, working capital, credit facilities, and banking relationships; proactively identify liquidity risks and opportunities.
• Monitor daily cash position, deposits, and disbursements; prioritize payments to support project execution and maintain vendor relationships.
• Prepare bank reporting packages and covenant schedules; coordinate draws, renewals, and communication with lenders as required.
• Manage vendor credit limits and payment terms; monitor retainage and release timing to support working capital planning.

Billing & Collections

• Oversee billing and collections processes (progress billing, T&M, service) to support timely cash conversion and accurate revenue reporting.
• Lead collection efforts on past-due accounts; make follow-up calls/emails, resolve disputes, and coordinate with operations to clear billing obstacles.

Controls, Compliance & External Reporting

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and standard operating procedures to ensure compliance, accuracy, and safeguarding of assets.
• Coordinate with external auditors, tax advisors, and legal counsel; manage annual audits, tax filings, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Support bonding/surety and insurance requirements as needed, including timely financial reporting, covenant compliance, and renewal coordination.
• Oversee compliance needs for construction and public work requirements as applicable (e.g., certified payroll, prevailing wage reporting, subcontractor documentation, lien waiver controls).
• Administer or partner in administration of employee benefit plans and business insurance programs, working with brokers and vendors.
• Prepare and/or review recurring compliance filings (sales & use tax, personal property tax, payroll tax) and ensure timely submissions and payments.
• Oversee union reporting and fringe submissions, certified payroll support, and subcontractor documentation tracking as applicable to projects.
• Maintain segregation of duties and perform periodic control reviews/testing; correct control gaps and document procedures.
• Maintain audit-ready support schedules (fixed assets, debt, WIP tie-outs, accruals) and respond to auditor, surety, and insurer requests.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Ensure effective use of construction accounting systems (e.g., Sage Timberline/Sage 300 CRE or equivalent) and lead continuous improvement through process and technology enhancements.
• Maintain standard financial and job cost reports; develop dashboards that improve visibility for PMs and leadership.
• Administer user access, workflows, and configuration within the accounting system; train users and document processes to drive consistency.
• Support integrations with timekeeping, project management, and AP automation tools; troubleshoot data issues and improve data quality.

Relationships & Other Duties

• Maintain strong vendor, supplier, and customer relationships in coordination with purchasing and operations to support smooth project execution.
• Support and manage relationships with key financial vendors (banking, insurance, audit/tax providers).
• Provide hands-on backup coverage for critical functions (billing, AP, payroll, cash application) during peak workloads or staff absences.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by the Executive Vice President.

Personnel Management

• Recruit, train, develop and motivate an efficient and competent financial organization
• Ensure that a high level of competency is developed and maintained by the accounting staff by providing appropriate training and by promoting attendance at appropriate educational programs.
• Conduct performance reviews and recommend salaries and salary adjustments for accounting staff.
• Provide advice and assistance to accounting personnel.

Core Competencies

• High integrity, sound judgment, and discretion with confidential information.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills; attention to detail.
• Ability to prioritize, meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Collaborative leadership style with the ability to mentor and develop a high-performing team.
• Continuous improvement mindset—drives process, system, and reporting enhancements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA/CMA preferred.
• 7 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including leadership responsibility; construction or mechanical contracting experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in job costing, WIP reporting, and construction revenue recognition/percentage-of-completion concepts.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis.
• Proficiency with construction accounting systems (Sage Timberline/Sage 300 CRE or equivalent) and advanced Excel skills.
• Experience partnering with operations and project teams; ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.