At Tri-State General Contractors, we build more than projects, we build strong teams and long-term relationships. We are seeking an experienced Controller in Escondido, CA to oversee our accounting and financial operations while supporting the successful delivery of construction projects. We are looking for a collaborative leader who values teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement and is excited to grow alongside a successful construction company.
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Position Summary
The Controller leads the company's accounting and financial operations and serves as a key business partner to executive leadership. This role is responsible for financial reporting, construction accounting, job costing, WIP reporting, cash flow management, internal controls, and overall accounting operations.
Working closely with executive leadership, project managers, estimating, and operations teams, the Controller provides the financial insight necessary to support profitable project execution, improve performance, and drive informed business decisions. The Controller also leads and develops the accounting team while ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the company's financial information.
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Key Responsibilities
- Lead all accounting and financial operations.
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
- Prepare and review financial statements, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules.
- Ensure compliance with GAAP, revenue recognition requirements, and company policies.
- Maintain the general ledger and accounting systems.
- Develop and enhance accounting policies, procedures, and reporting processes.
- Provide timely, accurate financial reporting to executive leadership.
- Oversee job costing, Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting, and percentage-of-completion accounting.
- Ensure project costs are accurately recorded and allocated.
- Partner with Project Managers to review project costs, forecasts, contracts, change orders, margins, and profitability.
- Analyze project performance, investigate variances, and identify financial risks.
- Reconcile project profitability reporting to financial statements.
- Support project closeouts, retention reconciliations, and revenue recognition activities.
- Manage cash flow forecasting and working capital requirements.
- Monitor collections, aging, retainage, and overall financial performance.
- Coordinate payment timing with collections and contractual requirements.
- Support banking relationships, financing activities, and cash planning initiatives.
- Recommend improvements that enhance financial performance and operational efficiency.
- Maintain effective internal controls across accounting operations.
- Ensure appropriate approval workflows, segregation of duties, and system access controls.
- Review reconciliations, master data changes, and high-risk transactions.
- Monitor compliance with billing, payment, lien release, and cash receipt procedures.
- Identify control weaknesses and implement corrective actions to mitigate risk.
- Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable/Billing, Payroll, Project Accounting, and General Accounting functions.
- Ensure subsidiary ledgers reconcile accurately to the general ledger.
- Coordinate customer billings, retention billings, and lien release administration.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of seven accounting professionals.
- Establish department priorities, performance expectations, and accountability measures.
- Support recruiting, onboarding, training, coaching, and professional development.
- Foster collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement across the accounting team.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and business analysis initiatives.
- Prepare reports for executive leadership, banks, sureties, insurers, and other stakeholders.
- Support bonding reviews with accurate financial, backlog, and WIP reporting.
- Partner with leadership and operations teams to improve profitability, efficiency, and overall business performance.
- Serve as a trusted advisor on financial and operational matters.
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Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- CPA and/or CCIFP designation preferred.
- Minimum 7 years of progressive accounting experience.
- Minimum 5 years of accounting leadership experience.
- Construction accounting experience strongly preferred.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, job costing, WIP reporting, percentage-of-completion accounting, construction contracts, financial reporting, and cash flow management.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required.
- Experience with Sage 100 Contractor or a comparable construction ERP system strongly preferred.
- Proven ability to lead teams, improve processes, manage deadlines, and effectively communicate with financial and operational leaders.
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- High level of integrity, professionalism, accountability, and attention to detail.
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Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based incentives.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company contribution.
- Paid time off and company holidays.
- Professional development and continuing education opportunities.
- Leadership role with direct exposure to executive management.
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact within a growing construction organization.
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Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to step into a highly visible leadership role within a growing construction company. As Controller, you will work closely with executive leadership, project teams, and operations leaders to help drive project profitability, financial performance, and long-term growth.
- Influence key business and financial decisions.
- Lead and develop a strong accounting team.
- Partner directly with project and operational leaders.
- Drive process improvements and operational efficiencies.
- Make a meaningful impact on the company's continued success.
If you are a construction accounting leader who enjoys partnering with operations and contributing to successful project delivery, we encourage you to apply.
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This job description is not intended to be a complete list of all duties, responsibilities, or activities required for this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice, based on departmental and business needs. To perform this role successfully, the ideal candidate must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities outlined in this description. This document does not create an employment contract, express or implied, between the employee and the company.