Controller

The Controller is a senior leadership role that blends financial stewardship with operational oversight, particularly in Accounting and HR. This role is responsible for managing the company’s financial health and ensuring that financial practices align with strategic goals. In companies of this nature—where field service, project-based work, and recurring maintenance are core operations—the controller must adapt financial and HR strategies to a dynamic, labor-intensive environment.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Controller (including HR Management)

1. Financial Management & Reporting

• General Ledger & Accounting Oversight:
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date accounting records.
• Assist the CFO in month-end and year-end closings as needed
• Financial Reporting:
• Preparation of financial statements (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
• Provide project-specific and service-line profitability analysis.
• Budgeting & Forecasting:
• Develop annual budgets in collaboration with operations and project managers.
• Monitor actuals vs. budget and adjust forecasts accordingly.
• Cash Flow Management:
• Manage AP/AR cycles to ensure adequate working capital.
• Reconciling AP and AR accounts, credit card, and bank accounts
• Responsible for monthly customer statements
• Responsible to monitor collection activities
• Responsible for Lien rights preservation
• Forecast cash needs and monitor project billing cycles.

2. Job Costing & Project Financial Oversight

• Responsible for the preparation on individual and monthly combined contract statuses to review financial position of open jobs as well as job close out feedback.
• Track direct and indirect costs for each job or project.
• Work with project managers to develop accurate job estimates and budgets.
• Monitor project financial performance, change orders, and billing progress.
• Responsible for Project Billing as well as oversight of Service Billing
• Analyze gross margin by project and identify underperforming jobs.
• Responsible for Vendor set up, fixed asset set up, tax payments as applicable.
• Responsible for Contract Project Job set up in Service Titan.

3. Payroll & Labor Cost Management

• Oversee payroll processing (in-house or outsourced).
• Track field labor hours and ensure proper job costing and classification.
• Ensure compliance with prevailing wage/Davis-Bacon regulations when applicable.
• Oversee the monitoring of Overtime and reporting

4. Compliance & Risk Management

• Responsible for ensuring customer compliance, COI, and payment portal management
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax laws and regulations.
• Manage insurance (workers’ compensation, liability, etc.).
• Assist as needed with audits (financial, insurance, tax).
• Implement internal controls to prevent fraud and financial mismanagement.
• Track and ensure license renewals.

Human Resources Management Responsibilities

6. Employee Relations & HR Policy

• Maintain and update employee handbook and company policies.
• Address workplace issues, mediate disputes, and manage disciplinary processes.
• Ensure a fair, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace culture.

7. Benefits & Compensation

• Oversee the administration of employee benefits (health insurance, retirement plans, etc.).
• Oversee compensation structures and wage compliance (FLSA, state laws).
• Analyze labor costs and benefits to ensure alignment with budget.

8. Training & Development

• Coordinate safety and compliance training (e.g., OSHA, EPA).
• Support employee development and skills training in collaboration with supervisors.
• Maintain training records and certifications.

9. HR Compliance

• Ensure compliance with labor laws (FMLA, ADA, EEOC, etc.).
• Maintain employee records and HR documentation.
• Preparation and file required HR and payroll reports (e.g., EEO-1, ACA, W-2s).

10. Strategic Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Participate in executive decision-making and long-term planning.
• Provide financial insights for strategic direction and operational decisions.
• Collaborate with operations, service, and sales teams to align financial performance with business goals.

Skills & Tools Commonly Required

• Strong proficiency with construction/job-cost accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks Contractor or Service Titan).
• HRIS or payroll platforms (e.g. Paychex, ADP, Gusto).
• Microsoft Excel and financial modeling.
• Knowledge of construction billing (AIA, progress billing, retainage).