Controller

Controller Position at GFF Design

GFF Design is a dynamic, award-winning multi-disciplinary design firm based in Dallas, with a legacy of excellence since 1982. Our team of over 120 design professionals in Dallas, Austin, and Fort Worth delivers innovative Architecture, Interior Design, and Planning across the United States. We have garnered national recognition and numerous accolades, including receiving The Texas Society of Architect's prestigious 'Firm Award' and receiving over 125 awards for design excellence. Our collaborative, design-focused approach thrives on tackling complex projects with creativity and strategic thinking, ensuring sustainability and client service excellence.

About this Role:

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead GFF Design's accounting function and serve as the firm's senior accounting authority. This is a hands-on leadership role in a lean, high-performance environment. The Controller owns the firm's financial systems, reporting, project accounting operations, and day-to-day accounting execution and partners closely with Principals, Studio Directors, and firm leadership.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical accounting expertise, deep project accounting knowledge, and the ability to drive both operational excellence and continuous process improvement. This role is critical to maintaining financial accuracy, supporting informed decision-making, and ensuring scalable accounting processes across the firm by managing competing priorities without sacrificing accuracy or deadlines.

What You'll Do:

• Lead and manage accounting team of 2; set clear expectations, review work quality, and calibrate delegation as operations stabilize.
• Support onboarding, training, and role development as team needs evolve.
• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with Principals, Studio Directors, Project Leaders, and Operations teams.
• High systems aptitude: ERP administration, workflow automation, and data integrity are part of the core job.
• Strong project accounting knowledge; understands WIP, earned value, and fixed-fee billing dynamics.
• Disciplined communicator; calibrates financial reporting to audience (committee-level to PM-level)
• Process-builder mindsetdocuments what they do and improve how it runs.
• Operate independently with minimal direction.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements and manage month-end and year-end close processes.
• Maintain general ledger integrity, balance sheet reconciliations, and accounting policy consistency.
• Deliver financial reporting and variance analysis to the management committee and firm leadership.
• Own project accounting in Unanet AE, including project setup, labor and consultant cost tracking, billing, and closeout.
• Maintain accurate work-in-progress reporting and revenue recognition, monitor project backlog and profitability.
• Partner directly with Principals, Studio Directors, and Project Leaders on project financial performance and reporting.
• Execute the monthly billing cycle, including preparing, reviewing, and issuing client invoices through Unanet.
• Own accounts receivable collections, including direct client outreach, aging management, and escalation support as needed.
• Maintain AR reporting and provide regular collections updates to leadership.
• Supervise accounts payable processes, including trade and consultant payables, payment runs, and exception resolution.
• Ensure timely and accurate expense recording and monitor operating expenses for variances.
• Monitor daily cash position through Bank of America CashPro and review ACH and check disbursements.
• Maintain weekly cash visibility and proactively flag liquidity risks to firm leadership.
• Coordinate with external CPA partners on federal and state income tax preparation.
• Prepare 1099 filings and property tax reporting.
• Maintain internal controls and ensure compliance with applicable financial and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as Unanet system administrator, including configuration, user management, UDF build-out, and Profit Center reporting.
• Oversee Microsoft 365 accounting infrastructure, including shared mailbox management, Power Automate workflows, and Planner-based task accountability.
• Build and maintain an accounting operations playbook that documents core processes and supports continuity in a lean-staffed environment.
• Drive continuous improvement across billing, WIP, AP, reporting, and accounting workflows.

What You Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including direct Controller or senior accounting responsibility.
• Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and project accounting principles, including WIP, revenue recognition, and earned value.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and collaborative skills.
• Experience in professional services, architecture, engineering, or another project-based business environment strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with Unanet, Deltek, Ajera, or a similar project accounting ERP platform.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications, including Teams, SharePoint, and Power Automate.
• Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to operate independently with minimal direction in a fast-paced environment.

What Sets You Apart:

• CPA or CMA certification.
• High systems aptitude with experience in ERP administration, workflow automation, and data integrity.
• Strong project accounting expertise, including fixed-fee billing dynamics and project profitability analysis.
• Ability to tailor financial reporting to different audiences, from firm leadership to project teams.
• Process-builder mindset with a strong inclination to document, improve, and streamline workflows.
• Experience building structure and accountability in a lean accounting function.

Why GFF:

• Collaborative, high-performing culture that values excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Opportunity to serve as a strategic financial partner to firm leadership.
• Meaningful ownership of systems, reporting, and accounting operations within a respected design firm.
• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.
• Opportunity to help shape and strengthen financial operations that support the long-term growth of the firm.

We're managing this search internally and are not engaging agencies at this time - thank you for understanding.