Assistant Controller

Job Description

Job Description

SUMMARY OF POSITION

The Assistant Controller supports the Controller in managing the day-to-day accounting operations of the company and maintaining accurate and timely financial records. This position will play a key role in monthly close, general ledger accounting, reconciliations, job costing, WIP support, accounts payable and receivable oversight, and financial reporting.

Comfortable working in a construction accounting environment, and able to identify accounting issues and work through them independently.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Month-End Close & General Ledger

• Assist with and manage key portions of the monthly and year-end close process.

• Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, reclasses, and adjusting entries.

• Reconcile balance sheet and general ledger accounts monthly.

• Research and resolve unusual balances, incorrect postings, and account discrepancies.

• Maintain supporting schedules and documentation for balance sheet accounts.

• Ensure transactions are recorded in the proper accounting period.

Job Cost & WIP Support

• Review job cost activity for accuracy and proper job and cost-code allocation.

• Assist the Controller with preparation and maintenance of monthly WIP schedules.

• Reconcile job costs, billings, retention, contract values, and WIP balances to the general ledger.

• Identify costs posted to overhead or incorrect jobs and coordinate corrections.

• Review overbillings, underbilling and assist with related month-end entries.

• Work with project managers and operations to resolve missing or inaccurate job-cost information.

Billing & Accounts Receivable

• Support timely preparation and processing of customer billings.

• Monitor billing deadlines and follow up on outstanding billing information.

• Review billing, retention, and contract balances for accuracy.

• Assist with AR aging review and identification of collection or billing issues.

• Help ensure costs incurred are appropriately reflected in customer billings.

Accounts Payable

• Provide oversight and support to the AP function.

• Review coding and job allocation for vendor invoices.

• Ensure AP is entered timely, so job-cost and financial reporting remains current.

• Research vendor and AP discrepancies and assist with resolution.

• Help maintain accurate cutoff at month-end.

Payroll & Labor Cost Accounting

• Review payroll-related accounting entries and reconciliations.

• Ensure labor and payroll burden are appropriately recorded and allocated.

• Assist with payroll liability reconciliations.

• Review job-cost allocations related to labor and engineering when applicable.

Bank & Balance Sheet Reconciliations

• Review and/or prepare monthly bank reconciliations.

• Reconcile intercompany, prepaid, deposit, accrued liability, payroll liability, and other balance sheet accounts.

• Investigate older or unusual reconciling items and recommend corrections.

• Maintain clean supporting schedules for reconciled accounts.

Financial Reporting

• Assist the Controller with preparation of monthly financial statements and management reporting.

• Prepare supporting schedules and account analysis.

• Review P&L and balance sheet activity for unusual trends or discrepancies.

• Assist with custom accounting and job-cost reporting for management.

• Help ensure financial reporting is consistent with GAAP and company accounting policies.

Audit & Internal Controls

• Assist with preparation of schedules and supporting documentation for external auditors and CPAs.

• Maintain organized accounting documentation and audit support.

• Help establish and maintain accounting procedures and internal controls.

• Identify process weaknesses and recommend improvements.

• Assist in documenting accounting processes and procedures.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Support accounting operations within Sage Intacct and related construction systems.

• Review account, item, vendor, and job mappings for accuracy.

• Help improve workflows between Accounting, Project Management, Operations, and Billing.

• Identify repetitive accounting problems and develop processes to prevent them.

• Assist with implementation of standardized monthly accounting procedures.

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, SKILLS AND/OR ABILITIES REQUIRED

Minimum Experience: 5+ years of progressive accounting experience preferred.

Degree Required: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field preferred or relevant experience in construction accounting. 

Certification(s) Required: None

Abilities Required:

• Construction accounting experience.

• Strong understanding of general ledger accounting, accrual accounting, reconciliations, and month-end close.

• Experience with job costing and percentage-of-completion/WIP accounting preferred.

• Experience with Sage Intacct or similar ERP/accounting systems preferred.

• Strong Excel skills.

• Ability to research discrepancies and work through accounting problems independently.

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to communicate effectively with accounting staff, project managers, operations, and senior management.

Role Expectations

The Assistant Controller should be able to take ownership of assigned accounting processes from beginning to end rather than simply processing transactions. This individual is expected to identify discrepancies, investigate the cause, propose solutions, and escalate significant accounting or financial issues to the Controller.

The position will work closely with the Controller to create a disciplined monthly close process, improve job-cost accuracy, strengthen WIP reporting, and ensure management receives timely and reliable financial information.