Controller

Job Description

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY:

We are looking for a sharp, driven, and disciplined Controller to own the financial integrity of Cline’s and our growing portfolio of LLCs. This is not a back-office accounting seat. This is a leadership role responsible for the numbers, the controls, and the financial systems that allow our business to scale with confidence.

You will manage accounting across multiple entities, including our HVAC operating companies and real estate LLCs, ensuring every dollar is recorded accurately and every report tells the truth. You will lead revenue recording, expense recording, cash flow management, budgeting, and financial reporting in full alignment with GAAP. You will design and enforce internal controls that protect the business, support tax planning and compliance initiatives in partnership with our fractional CFO and outside CPA, and deliver clean, reliable financials that leadership can act on.

This role oversees a direct report who handles day to day AR/AP and HR administration, so you can stay focused on higher level controllership work, financial strategy, and building the systems that support our continued growth. You will partner closely with ownership, the fractional CFO, and department leaders to drive accountability, profitability, and smart decision making across the organization.

This is an in-office position with a fun, tight-knit team that holds a high bar, takes ownership, and is committed to growing personally and professionally. If you want a seat at the table where your work directly shapes the future of a respected, locally owned, multi-entity company, this is your opportunity.

ABOUT US:
At Cline’s Heating and Air, we don’t just install HVAC systems. Follow us on social media to see what we are all about! We walk it how we talk it and are setting the standard for quality, expertise, and customer satisfaction in our market. As Spokane’s most reliable HVAC company, we have been serving homeowners, businesses, and contractors since 1988 with a commitment to excellence that goes beyond just getting the job done. We believe in building lasting relationships, not just with our customers, but with our employees and industry partners. Our team is made up of high performers who take pride in their craft, support each other, and never settle for average. We invest in ongoing training, the best tools and technology, and a work culture that values accountability, growth, and teamwork. At Cline’s, we offer competitive wages, career advancement opportunities, and a company culture that feels like family. Whether it’s a company BBQ, team outings, or simply celebrating wins together, we believe in creating an environment where people love to work.

If you’re looking for a company that values excellence, integrity, and the pursuit of being the best, Cline’s AC is the place for you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Multi-Entity Accounting & Financial Reporting:

• Own the general ledger and financial records across all Clines entities, including operating companies and real estate LLCs.
• Lead the monthly close process and deliver timely, accurate P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow statements for each entity and on a consolidated basis.
• Ensure all accounting is performed in accordance with GAAP, including proper revenue recognition, expense matching, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Reconcile all bank accounts, credit cards, intercompany balances, and loan accounts on a consistent cadence.
• Maintain clean, audit-ready records for every entity in the portfolio.

Revenue, Expense & Cash Flow Management:

• Record and review revenue and expenses with precision, ensuring proper categorization, job costing, and entity allocation.
• Monitor and manage cash flow across all LLCs, forecasting needs and flagging risks before they become problems.
• Manage intercompany transactions, transfers, and allocations with full transparency and documentation.
• Oversee the work of the AR/AP and HR support role, ensuring daily transactional work is timely, accurate, and properly controlled.

Internal Controls & Process Design:

• Design, implement, and enforce internal controls to safeguard assets, prevent errors, and protect the business from risk.
• Build and document accounting policies, procedures, and SOPs that scale across multiple entities.
• Establish approval workflows, segregation of duties, and review processes that hold the standard.
• Continuously evaluate and improve financial systems, tools, and reporting to drive efficiency and accuracy.

Budgeting & Financial Accountability:

• Partner with ownership and department leaders to build, maintain, and support annual budgets across each entity.
• Track actuals against budget, deliver variance analysis, and provide clear insights leadership can act on.
• Identify cost overruns, inefficiencies, and margin opportunities, and drive accountability to fix them.
• Provide forecasting and financial modeling support to help guide strategic decisions.

Tax Support & Compliance:

• Support all tax initiatives in coordination with our fractional CFO and outside CPA, including federal, state (WA & ID), and local filings.
• Maintain organized, complete records to support tax preparation, planning, and audits across all entities.
• Ensure timely filing and payment of payroll taxes, sales/use taxes, and other regulatory obligations.
• Manage business licenses, registrations, and renewals across the portfolio.

Leadership & Team Development:

• Lead and develop the AR/AP and HR support role, setting clear expectations and holding the standard.
• Partner with operations, sales, install, and service leadership to align financial reporting with how the business actually runs.
• Provide consistent reporting on financial performance, KPIs, and scorecards to drive accountability across the organization.
• Represent the company with professionalism, integrity, and a commitment to excellence in every interaction.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 2 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior accounting leadership role.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and proven ability to apply GAAP principles in a multi-entity environment.
• Hands-on experience managing accounting across multiple LLCs or legal entities, including consolidations and intercompany activity.
• Real estate accounting experience strongly preferred (property-level reporting, depreciation, debt service, owner distributions).
• Proven track record building budgets, managing cash flow, and designing internal controls.
• Advanced proficiency in QuickBooks Online/Desktop and Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, advanced formulas, financial modeling).
• Experience with ServiceTitan or a similar field service/CRM platform is a strong plus.
• Exceptional attention to detail, strong analytical skills, and the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights.
• Self-starter with a high standard for accuracy, a process-driven mindset, and the discipline to execute consistently.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field strongly preferred. CPA or CMA a plus.
• Construction, HVAC, trades, or service-based business experience is a strong advantage.

BENEFITS & CULTURE :

• Competitive $85,000 to $115,000 per year dependent on experience plus bonuses and performance incentives.
• In-office position with a fun, high-performing team that holds each other accountable and is committed to growth.
• Company-provided cell phone and laptop.
• Medical insurance.
• Dental, Vision, and Accident Insurance available.
• 401K Plan.
• Continued education and ongoing local, regional, and national training opportunities.
• Mentorship and personal, professional, and financial goal planning.
• Paid holidays after one year of employment.
• Paid vacation time.
• Clear opportunities for advancement as our portfolio of businesses continues to grow.
• Our family of employees participate in hunting trips, camping trips, BBQs and other fun activities throughout the year.
• Employee Recognition Program that provides bonuses and/or paid time off when employees provide exceptional service to the company and our customers.

WHY JOIN US:
Stability and Growth: As part of our team, you'll have the security of working for an established company with an impeccable reputation that’s been leading the charge in the commercial HVAC space since 1988. With a solid foundation, and a track record of success, you’ll have ample opportunities for growth and advancement.

Community Impact: At Cline's Air Conditioning, we believe in giving back to the communities that have supported us over the years. By joining our team, you'll be contributing to our mission of creating meaningful jobs and preserving the integrity of our industry in the face of increasing corporate consolidation.

Training and Development: We understand that staying ahead in the HVAC industry requires continuous learning and skill development. That's why we offer extensive training opportunities to ensure our team members have the knowledge and expertise they need to excel in their roles.

Family-Owned Values: As a family and veteran owned business, we prioritize the well-being and success of our team members. When you join Cline's Air Conditioning, you're not just an employee - you're part of our family, and we'll do everything we can to support you in your career journey.

OUR MISSION:
Setting the standard in the HVAC industry by delivering unparalleled quality, technology, and customer service excellence.

OUR VISION:
To be the undisputed household name for HVAC excellence in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

OUR CORE VALUES :
Inspirational: Everything we do is bigger than us. We show up to work not just for ourselves but to impact our team, create the best solutions for our customers, and chase our full potential.

Disciplined: We do what we say we are going to do. No exceptions. We train every day to continue learning and growing.

Accountable: We hold ourselves and our team accountable because true growth doesn’t happen by accident. Extreme accountability leads to extraordinary results.

Transparent: We have big goals and move quickly. Our team operates with transparency to prioritize the work that gets us closer to those goals.

Aligned: We hire growth-oriented individuals because our business can’t grow if our people aren’t growing. We align our business goals with every team member’s personal, professional, and financial goals when our team wins, the company wins.

GSD: We get sh*t done.