Operations Controller

Job Title: Operations Controller

Location: Thomasville, NC
Reports to: Owner & Chief Operating Officer
Type: Full-time, Salaried
Experience Level: Senior — 5–10 years of Controller or Senior Accounting experience with a general contractor or project-driven construction company.

Company Overview

A growing general contractor providing construction services across North Carolina and South Carolina. This is a blind ad; the company name is intentionally omitted.

Position Summary

This is a hands-on, one-person accounting department role for an experienced Controller or Senior Accountant who will perform all financial operations for a dynamic, project-driven construction business.

The Controller will collaborate directly with the Owner, Chief Operating Officer, and Estimator/Project Manager. Although the role is senior-level, it requires a self-starter who manages all daily accounting activity, financial reporting, payroll, internal controls, budgeting, forecasting, and job-cost processes.

The ideal candidate has substantial experience in general construction services, strong job-costing skills, and thrives in a fast-paced, small but growing operation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Reporting

• Perform full-cycle accounting, including general ledger management, month-end closing, bank reconciliations, and account reconciliations.
• Prepare timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
• Provide variance analysis and meaningful commentary for ownership and operations.
• Build or refine dashboards, KPIs, and reporting tools tailored to a construction/job-costing environment.
• Prepare annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and multi-year projections.
• Support external CPA with tax prep, year-end filings, and audit requests.

Cost, Project & Service Line Accounting

• Implement and maintain job-cost accounting systems specific to general construction projects.
• Work with operations and estimating to develop accurate job costing, overhead allocation, change order tracking, bill-backs, and project profitability reporting.
• Analyze margins by project type, customer type, and job size.
• Provide insights to guide pricing, bidding, overhead absorption, and cash-flow needs.
• Partner with operations to create and monitor job-cost KPIs such as labor efficiency, equipment utilization, subcontractor spending, and material cost performance.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Establish strong internal controls over financial processes, project accounting, contract billing, asset capitalization, and cash handling.
• Prepare payroll for field and administrative staff and facilitate benefit administration.
• Ensure proper worker classification, payroll compliance, insurance requirements, and job documentation.
• Manage fixed-asset accounting for vehicles, tools, and equipment (capitalization, depreciation, disposals).

Strategic Business Partner

• Collaborate closely with the Owner, COO, and Estimator/Project Manager to provide actionable financial insights.
• Support estimating by supplying cost data, overhead and margin analysis, and job-level cash-flow implications.
• Prepare financial modeling and scenario planning for growth opportunities, staffing, equipment purchases, and new service lines.
• Drive improvements in accounting workflows, software utilization, integrations, and financial documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 5–10 years of Controller or senior accounting experience within a general contractor or project-based construction environment.
• Strong experience with job-cost accounting, project profitability analysis, and overhead allocation.
• Must have strong QuickBooks Online experience (QBO is required).
• Advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, dashboards, financial modeling).
• Experience improving accounting systems, internal controls, and reporting processes.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; capable of translating financials for field/operations personnel.
• Ability to operate independently as a “team of one” and partner strategically with leadership.
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred but not required.

Key Competencies & Personal Attributes

• Independent, self-directed, and highly organized accounting professional.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability.
• Excellent communicator with the ability to support both field and office leadership.
• Comfortable in a small-company environment where responsibilities are broad and hands-on.
• High ethical standards and commitment to accuracy, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Success Metrics in First 12 Months

• Achieve a reliable monthly close process with on-time reporting.
• Establish clear job-cost workflows and project profitability reporting.
• Build and document internal controls appropriate for a small construction operation.
• Develop forecasting and cash-flow visibility tools for leadership.
• Identify and deliver meaningful margin-improvement or cost-efficiency opportunities.

Compensation & Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Group Life Insurance
• Short-Term Disability
• Long-Term Disability
• 401(k) Plan
• Workers’ Compensation
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $75,000