What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Controller position at Troy Clogg Landscape Associates?
About Troy Clogg Landscape Associates
For nearly 40 years, Troy Clogg Landscape Associates has been one of Michigan's leading landscape design/build, commercial maintenance, and snow removal companies, serving residential and commercial clients throughout SE Michigan. Our team grows to 200 strong during peak season, and we're known for award-winning design work, ISO-certified snow operations, and a culture built on community, creativity, and heart. As TCLA continues to scale, we're looking for a Controller to bring financial discipline and insight to a fast-growing, seasonal, multi-service-line business.
Position Summary
The Controller will oversee TCLA's day-to-day accounting operations and financial reporting, ensuring accurate, timely financial information that supports decision-making across our landscape construction, maintenance, and snow removal divisions. This role is critical for managing the financial complexities of a seasonal business with significant job costing, equipment/fleet assets, and fluctuating labor needs. The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting skills with the business judgment to partner closely with ownership and operations leaders.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Operations & Reporting
- Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and month-end/year-end close processes
- Prepare accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
- Develop and maintain job costing systems across landscape construction, maintenance, and snow removal to track profitability by project, crew, and service line
- Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital planning to account for seasonal revenue swings
Budgeting & Analysis
- Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing forecasting/re-forecasting as the season progresses
- Analyze job costs, labor utilization, and equipment costs; provide variance analysis and actionable recommendations to ownership and operations managers
- Track and report on key performance indicators (gross margin by division, revenue per crew, equipment utilization, etc.)
Compliance & Controls
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax filing requirements, and applicable local, state, and federal regulations
- Maintain and improve internal controls over cash, inventory (materials/plant stock), and fixed assets (vehicles, equipment)
- Coordinate with external CPAs/auditors for tax preparation, reviews, or audits
- Manage business insurance, bonding, and licensing requirements as they relate to financial reporting
Systems & Process Improvement
- Own and optimize accounting software and job-costing/ERP systems (e.g., QuickBooks, Sage, LMN, Aspire, or similar landscape-industry platforms)
- Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy across the finance function
- Support technology integration between field operations (time tracking, equipment tracking) and accounting systems
Leadership
- Supervise and mentor accounting/bookkeeping staff (AP/AR clerks, payroll administrator, etc.)
- Serve as a key financial advisor to the ownership team, translating financial data into practical business guidance
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 2 years in a supervisory or controller-level role
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting
- Proficiency with accounting software (QuickBooks or similar) and advanced Excel skills
- Experience managing job costing, project-based, or work-in-progress (WIP) accounting
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Preferred
- CPA license or CMA certification
- Experience in landscaping, construction, green industry, or another seasonal/field-services business
- Familiarity with industry-specific software (LMN, Aspire, Service Autopilot, or similar)
- Experience with fleet/equipment asset accounting and multi-entity or multi-division reporting
- Experience managing payroll for a large, seasonally variable workforce
Pay: $75,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $75,000 - $95,000