Construction Financial Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Construction Financial Controller

Buildlabs Texas
Austin, Texas (Lakeway)
Full-Time | In-Person

Buildlabs Texas is a luxury custom home builder specializing in high-end residential construction with a focus on craftsmanship, innovation, operational excellence, and advanced building technology. Our work combines sophisticated design, premium construction standards, and a collaborative team culture to deliver exceptional custom homes throughout the Hamptons and expanding markets to other regions.

As our company continues to grow, we are seeking a highly organized, financially driven, and construction-experienced Financial Controller to join our leadership team in Austin, Texas.

This is a hands-on position responsible for leading the accounting department and personally performing accounting, payroll, job costing, and financial reporting work across multiple company entities and locations.

The Construction Financial Controller will both lead the accounting department and personally perform daily accounting, reconciliations, financial reporting, payroll coordination, job costing, and month-end close. This role requires active participation in the work, alongside supervision of accounting personnel. The ideal candidate will possess strong construction accounting experience and excellent organizational skills.

This role will work closely with company leadership, accounting personnel, project managers, estimators, HR, and operations teams to help maintain strong financial systems and accountability throughout the organization.

The Financial Controller will also lead the practical use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools within accounting and financial operations to improve workflows, develop and standardize processes, reduce manual work, and strengthen reporting. This requires hands-on experience evaluating and applying AI tools while maintaining financial accuracy, appropriate internal controls, and the confidentiality of company information.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management and Reporting

·         Lead and personally perform day-to-day accounting across multiple company entities and locations, including AP, AR, journal entries, and reconciliations.

·         Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports.

·         Maintain general ledger accuracy and financial integrity.

·         Assist leadership with budgeting, cash flow forecasting, and financial planning.

·         Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, insurance representatives, and tax professionals.

·         Utilize and oversee accounting systems including QuickBooks and related financial reporting platforms.

Construction Accounting and Job Costing

·         Perform and manage project-based accounting, budgeting, and job costing.

·         Monitor project budgets, commitments, subcontractor costs, purchase orders, and project financial performance.

·         Prepare and maintain Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules and construction financial reports.

·         Ensure accurate allocation of labor, materials, subcontractors, equipment, and overhead costs to projects.

·         Review contracts, schedules of values, change orders, and billing structures for financial accuracy.

·         Personally prepare and process AIA billing and related financial documentation.

·         Work closely with Project Managers and Operations teams to maintain accurate project financial data within Procore and related construction management systems.

Payroll Oversight and Labor Cost Management

·         Personally prepare and reconcile payroll records while coordinating payroll and maintaining financial controls across company locations and entities.

·         Review payroll reporting, labor allocations, project coding accuracy, and payroll-related financial reporting.

·         Ensure payroll expenses are accurately reflected within job costing and accounting systems.

·         Coordinate with HR, accounting, and operations teams regarding employee classifications, timekeeping accuracy, PTO tracking, overtime monitoring, labor cost reporting, and payroll compliance requirements.

·         Assist with implementation and oversight of payroll and workforce management systems including QuickBooks Time, ADP, and related payroll software platforms.

·         Support payroll audits, labor reporting requirements, and operational accountability systems.

Operational Leadership and Process Management

·         Collaborate closely with Project Managers, Estimators, Site Supervisors, HR, and company leadership.

·         Help establish and improve financial controls, operational procedures, and workflow efficiency.

·         Support multi-location financial coordination between offices, field operations, and accounting teams.

·         Assist with implementation and oversight of construction technology and management systems including Procore, QuickBooks, payroll and timekeeping systems, and document management and reporting platforms.

·         Develop and maintain organized financial and operational reporting systems.

·         Participate in KPI-based operational performance and accountability initiatives.

AI Leadership and Workflow Improvement

·         Identify, evaluate, and implement AI tools and automation to improve accounting, financial reporting, job costing, and administrative workflows.

·         Lead the development and documentation of consistent processes that use AI to reduce repetitive tasks, improve efficiency, and support timely financial analysis.

·         Collaborate with the Technology & Training Manager and department leaders to integrate approved AI tools into existing systems and daily workflows.

·         Train and guide accounting personnel in the effective and responsible use of AI tools, including verification of outputs and appropriate human review.

·         Establish safeguards for confidential financial information, employee and client data, and company intellectual property when using AI platforms.

·         Monitor results and refine AI-supported processes to deliver measurable improvements in accuracy, turnaround time, and productivity.

Department Leadership

·         Supervise accounting personnel while personally completing daily accounting work and meeting reporting deadlines.

·         Assist with training, workflow development, and operational accountability.

·         Promote professionalism, responsiveness, accuracy, and collaboration throughout the organization.

·         Maintain confidentiality and uphold company standards throughout all financial operations.

Qualifications

Required

·         Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.

·         Minimum 5 years of accounting or financial management experience within the construction industry.

·         Hands-on experience performing construction job costing, WIP reporting, AIA billing, payroll, budgeting, AP and AR, reconciliations, month-end close, and labor allocation and reporting.

·         Experience with Procore, QuickBooks, and payroll and timekeeping systems.

·         Strong Microsoft Excel and financial reporting skills.

·         Excellent organizational, analytical, and communication abilities.

·         Demonstrated understanding and hands-on use of AI tools to improve workflows, develop processes, automate routine tasks, and support financial analysis and reporting.

·         Ability to lead the adoption of AI tools, train team members, and evaluate results while maintaining data privacy, financial accuracy, and internal controls.

Preferred

·         Experience within luxury residential construction.

·         Multi-entity accounting experience.

·         Experience overseeing payroll operations across multiple locations or divisions.

·         CPA or advanced accounting certifications preferred but not required.

Compensation and Benefits

Salary Range

$115,000 – $140,000 per year

Compensation will be commensurate with experience, qualifications, and construction financial management expertise.

Work Environment

This is an in-person position based in Austin, Texas. Due to the collaborative nature of the role and interaction with leadership, accounting personnel, and operations teams, regular on-site presence is required.

The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, organized, and able to personally perform daily accounting work while leading the department in a fast-paced construction environment.