Controller

Client is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the Company's accounting and financial operations while ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting.

The Controller will provide leadership across accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting, cash management, internal controls, job cost accounting, payroll accounting, tax coordination, audit support, financial compliance, and team development.

Serving as the operational leader of the Finance & Accounting function, the Controller will balance strategic financial leadership with hands-on execution in a dynamic civil construction environment. This individual will partner closely with Operations, Risk Management, Fleet, Human Resources, IT, and other key business functions to transform financial information into meaningful business intelligence that supports informed operational and strategic decision-making.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting and construction-industry expertise with business acumen, exceptional analytical ability, and a highly organized, process-oriented leadership style. This individual should also have a demonstrated ability to develop high-performing teams and continuously improve financial processes, systems, and controls.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Accounting

• Lead day-to-day accounting operations, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Payroll Accounting, Fixed Assets, and Job Cost Accounting.
• Ensure accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial closes.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and supporting leadership reporting packages.
• Maintain the integrity of the Company's general ledger and chart of accounts.
• Ensure compliance with U.S. GAAP, applicable construction accounting standards, and Company accounting policies.
• Oversee monthly account reconciliations and maintain balance sheet integrity.
• Manage revenue recognition and Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting for construction contracts.
• Ensure accurate job cost reporting and project profitability analysis.

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing monthly forecasting.
• Analyze financial performance and identify trends, risks, variances, and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain meaningful financial KPIs, dashboards, and management reporting.
• Partner with Operations to evaluate and improve project financial performance.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to support business planning and strategic decision-making.

Cash Flow & Treasury

• Monitor daily cash position, liquidity, and funding requirements.
• Manage and maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast, updated monthly or as business conditions require.
• Optimize working capital through effective management of receivables, payables, retainage, and vendor payment schedules.
• Oversee banking activities, fund disbursements, and cash controls.
• Support financing requirements, lender relationships, and financial reporting obligations.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Develop, implement, and maintain effective internal accounting controls and financial policies.
• Ensure compliance with Company policies, financial governance standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate and lead annual financial statement audits and tax filings in partnership with external CPAs and advisors.
• Support insurance audits, sales and use tax reporting, payroll tax compliance, and other regulatory reporting.
• Maintain appropriate financial documentation to support internal and external audit requirements.

Construction Accounting

• Oversee and maintain accurate Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules.
• Partner with Operations and project leadership on regular project financial reviews.
• Review contract status, billings, retainage, committed costs, change orders, and project forecasts.
• Review and validate Estimate at Completion (EAC) and Cost to Complete (CTC) projections to support accurate revenue and margin recognition.
• Monitor project profitability, margin performance, and financial risks.
• Support claims documentation and contract-related accounting requirements.
• Ensure accurate allocation of equipment, labor, indirect costs, and overhead.
• Ensure construction revenue is recognized accurately and consistently in accordance with applicable accounting standards.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, coach, and develop the Accounting team.
• Establish departmental goals, priorities, performance expectations, and accountability standards.
• Develop succession plans and individual employee development plans.
• Build team capabilities through training, coaching, and knowledge sharing.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and service to internal stakeholders.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Optimize ERP utilization and financial reporting capabilities.
• Partner with IT on accounting system enhancements, integrations, and reporting improvements.
• Standardize financial processes, procedures, workflows, and documentation.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, controls, automation, and scalability.
• Ensure financial systems and processes can effectively support continued Company growth.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Partner with Operations to strengthen project financial performance and accountability.
• Support executive leadership with financial analysis, business intelligence, and strategic recommendations.
• Collaborate with Fleet, Human Resources, Risk Management, IT, Contracts, and Procurement.
• Provide financial guidance for capital investments, equipment purchases, and strategic initiatives.
• Support acquisition due diligence, financial analysis, and integration activities as required.

Qualifications, Experience & Core Competencies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of accounting or finance leadership experience.
• Strong experience within the construction industry, preferably heavy civil, infrastructure, or specialty contracting.
• Extensive knowledge of U.S. GAAP and construction accounting principles.
• Demonstrated experience with WIP accounting and construction contract revenue recognition.
• Strong understanding of job costing, project accounting, EAC/CTC forecasting, and project profitability analysis.
• Experience managing annual financial audits and working with external accounting firms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial reporting skills.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate financial information effectively to both financial and operational leaders.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation.
• Experience with construction ERP systems such as Viewpoint Vista, Foundation, Sage, CMiC, or similar platforms.
• Experience with Procore and HCSS.
• Experience supporting multi-entity organizations.
• Experience with acquisitions, due diligence, or business integration.
• Experience developing financial dashboards, KPIs, and business intelligence reporting.
• Experience supporting a growing or operationally complex construction organization.

Core Competencies

• Financial Leadership
• Technical & Construction Accounting
• Financial Reporting
• Internal Controls & Compliance
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Cash Flow & Working Capital Management
• Financial Analysis
• Job Cost & Project Accounting
• WIP / EAC / CTC Management
• Business Partnership
• Team Leadership & Development
• Strategic Thinking
• Process Improvement
• Integrity & Accountability
• Executive Communication
• Sound Decision-Making