Controller

Controller

A growing mechanical contractor is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the transition of its accounting operations from an outsourced function to a fully developed in-house department. This is a hands-on leadership position responsible for overseeing company financials while remaining closely involved in construction accounting, WIP reporting, job costing, forecasting, and project profitability.

The ideal candidate comes from a construction or specialty contractor environment and understands both corporate accounting and the project-level financials that drive a contracting business. This person will work directly with ownership, leadership, and Project Managers while building the accounting team, systems, and processes needed to support continued growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the transition from outsourced accounting to a fully functioning internal accounting department
• Build, hire, train, and develop the accounting team as the company grows
• Establish accounting procedures, internal controls, reporting standards, and scalable financial processes
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll, general ledger, reconciliations, and month-end/year-end close
• Prepare and review monthly financial statements and management reporting
• Own WIP reporting, job costing, percentage-of-completion accounting, and revenue recognition
• Monitor project budgets, actual and committed costs, billings, and projected margins
• Review cost-to-complete, underbillings, overbillings, and budget-to-actual performance
• Partner directly with Project Managers to identify cost variances, potential overruns, and changes in projected profitability
• Review job cost reports and provide actionable financial information to operations and ownership
• Manage forecasting, budgeting, cash flow, and financial planning
• Monitor progress billing, retainage, collections, change orders, and project cash flow
• Ensure accurate accounting for construction contracts and project-related transactions
• Coordinate with external CPAs, auditors, banks, insurance providers, and financial partners
• Provide ownership and senior leadership with financial reporting, analysis, and recommendations
• Develop the accounting infrastructure needed to support continued company growth

Requirements

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Construction accounting experience strongly preferred
• Experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or senior construction accounting professional
• Strong understanding of WIP reporting, job costing, percentage-of-completion accounting, and construction financials
• Experience analyzing cost-to-complete, project margins, underbillings/overbillings, and budget-to-actual performance
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, financial statements, AP/AR, payroll, and month-end close
• Experience working directly with Project Managers and construction operations teams
• Proven ability to establish or improve accounting processes, controls, and reporting systems
• Leadership experience with the ability to build and develop an accounting team
• Strong Excel, financial analysis, and reporting skills
• Experience with construction accounting or ERP platforms preferred
• Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
• Comfortable being a hands-on Controller rather than solely overseeing the department

Preferred Background

• Mechanical contractor
• Plumbing contractor
• HVAC contractor
• Electrical contractor
• General contractor
• Specialty construction contractor

Experience within a project-based construction environment where job costing, WIP, progress billing, and project profitability are central to financial reporting is strongly preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Performance-based bonus potential
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid holidays and PTO
• Direct exposure to company ownership and senior leadership
• Opportunity to build and lead the accounting department from the ground up
• Long-term advancement opportunity with a growing mechanical contractor