Full Charge Bookkeeper

Overview

The Financial Controller is responsible for managing and overseeing all accounting and financial operations for a growing construction and remodeling company. This role ensures accurate financial reporting, strong job cost control, healthy cash flow, and profitability tracking across all projects.

The Controller works closely with ownership, project managers, and operations to provide financial insight that supports decision-making and protects company margins. This position goes beyond traditional bookkeeping and plays a key leadership role in managing project financial performance from contract award through project completion.

Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

1. Job Profitability Control (MOST IMPORTANT)

• Maintain accurate job cost structures
• Estimated vs Actual costs
• Labor productivity
• Change order profitability
• Produce monthly project profit report
• Flag problem jobs early
• Goal: No financial surprises at project close.

2. Cash Flow Management

• Weekly cash position reporting
• Forecast incoming vs outgoing cash (8–12 weeks ahead)
• Control billing timing
• Reduce AR aging
• Manage retainage tracking
• Construction companies fail from cash flow — not lack of work.

3. Project Billing Oversight

• Progress billing & schedule of values
• AIA billing when required
• Change order billing tracking
• Ensure PMs bill on time

4. Financial Reporting to Ownership

• Deliver monthly dashboard including:
• Gross profit by project
• Company gross margin
• Overhead ratio
• Net profit
• Backlog value
• Cash forecast

5. Systems & Process Improvement

• Standardize job cost codes
• Improve PM financial accountability
• Implement financial workflows
• Integrate PM software with accounting

6. Compliance & Risk Protection

• Subcontractor insurance tracking
• Lien waiver management
• Sales tax & 1099 reporting
• Coordinate CPA & year-end closing

7. Leadership

• Train PMs on financial responsibility
• Attend weekly operations meetings
• Increase profit margins
• Prevent underbidding patterns
• Improve billing speed
• Give owner real financial visibility

Experience

• Required Experience & Education — Financial Controller (Construction & Remodeling)
• 7-10 years of accounting or financial management experience
• Minimum 3–5 years in construction, remodeling, or project-based accounting
• Proven experience with:
• Job Costing
• Project Profitability Tracking
• Progress Billing & AIA Billing
• Retainage Management
• AP/AR Oversight
• Experience Preparing
• Monthly Financial Statemments
• WIP Reports
• Cash Flow Forecasts
• Experience Working with:
• Project Managers
• Subcontractors
• Vendors and Suppliers
• Supervising Accounting Staff

Technical Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration
• 5 years of Construction Industry Experience
• The strongest candidates typically come from:
• General contractors
• Design-build firms
• Remodeling companies
• Commercial construction firms
• Specialty trades with project-based accounting
• Accounting software such as Sage 100 or similar platforms
• Technical Experience (Strongly Preferred)
• Construction accounting software such as Sage 100 or similar platforms
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills:
• Job cost tracking
• Financial reporting & forecasting
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

OR

• 8–12 years Construction Accounting Experience may substitute for degree
• Preferred (Not Required): CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant)
• Construction industry certifications or coursework
• Experience working with external CPA firms and audits