Controller

Controller – Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI)

1. Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on, and detail-oriented Controller to independently manage all financial, accounting, and regulatory compliance operations for our Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) operations based in Fort Myers, FL. This position operates on a flexible hybrid schedule, balancing collaborative in-office work with productive remote periods.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in project cost accounting and state infrastructure government contracting, with a specific, hands-on understanding of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reimbursement models, overhead rules, and audit frameworks. The Controller will directly execute annual FAR overhead audits, precise project profitability tracking, month-end closes, and resource utilization using Unanet A/E. Additionally, this multi-functional role will independently handle full-cycle payroll, employee insurance benefits administration, corporate insurance procurement assistance, vehicle fleet monitoring, and general human resources support functions.

2. Core Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Hands-On Accounting

·Financial Closures: Drive and execute the complete monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year-end closing cycles to compile accurate, GAAP-compliant commercial financial statements.

·Full-Cycle Accounting Tasks: Directly perform daily tactical accounting operations, including accounts payable entry, billing generation, collections tracking, and certified multi-project payroll allocation.

FDOT Compliance & FAR Audits

·FAR Overhead Management: Monitor and provide information to external CPA for the firm's annual Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR Part 31) overhead rate in strict accordance with the AASHTO Uniform Audit & Accounting Guide.

Project Accounting & Revenue Recognition

·Contract Management: Oversee and execute the complete project financial lifecycle across complex FDOT contract structures, Lump Sum, and multi-year Task Work Orders.

Payroll & Human Resources Administration

·Payroll Processing: Personally execute full-cycle, multi-project payroll allocation, ensuring precise labor costing, withholding compliance, and timely tax filings.

·Employee Benefits Management: Administer employee insurance benefits programs, managing open enrollment, processing plan additions/changes, reconciling monthly insurance billings, and handling employee benefits inquiries.

·HR Oversight: Manage onboarding/offboarding workflows, personnel file compliance, and serve as the primary point of contact for internal HR administrative needs.

·Timekeeping Compliance: Monitor labor laws and certified payroll submission timelines for active government infrastructure projects.

Corporate Risk Management & Insurance Procurement

·Commercial Quotes Assistance: Assist executive leadership in sourcing, evaluating, and compiling data to obtain competitive commercial company insurance quotes (e.g., General Liability, Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions, Workers' Compensation).

·Policy Maintenance: Maintain accurate records of all active corporate policies, track renewal timelines, and coordinate the distribution of certificates of insurance (COIs) as required for infrastructure project bids.

Vehicle Fleet Monitoring

·Fleet Management: Oversee tracking, utilization, and maintenance schedules for the corporate vehicle fleet assigned to field engineers and inspectors.

·Expense Management: Audit fuel card programs, vehicle stipends, insurance policy assignments, and related travel cost allocations across various active projects.

3. Qualifications & Technical Requirements

·Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field is mandatory.

·Credentials: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential is highly preferred.

·Experience: 7 to 10+ years of progressive professional accounting experience inside an Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) firm.

·Role Structure Fit: Proven capability to operate efficiently in an autonomous, hands-on capacity, successfully managing both high-level financial strategy and daily administrative/transactional tasks without a supporting accounting staff.

·Expanded Scope Experience: Demonstrated experience handling employee health insurance enrollment and assisting with commercial risk/liability insurance renewal processes.

·Software Systems: Hands-on experience with Unanet A/E (formerly Clearview) or highly comparable AEC-specific project accounting platforms (e.g., Deltek Vantagepoint/Vision) is strongly preferred and considered a major advantage.