Controller

Overview Performance Engineering has opportunities in Billings, MT. Join an award-winning engineering and surveying firm as a Controller. This full-time role leads financial operations, strengthens project-level reporting and provides direct interaction with ownership to support growth. The firm has been recognized by Zweig Group as a Best Firm to Work For in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and as a Hot Firm in 2025 and 2026. This role builds scalable systems, improves profitability and delivers insight to support confident business decisions. This is a build-and-lead opportunity for someone with strong accounting knowledge, strategic thinking and an ownership mindset in a growing project-based business. Why You’ll Love It Here Make a strategic impact: Work directly with ownership and leadership to connect financial performance with business decisions, project delivery and long-term growth. Build systems that scale: Strengthen accounting processes, reporting systems, internal controls and financial planning across a growing firm. Lead beyond the numbers: Translate financial data into practical insight for project managers, executives, board reporting and affiliated business entities. Grow with the company: Step into a leadership role with the opportunity to continue developing toward CFO-level responsibility. Your Role Financial operations leadership: Lead accounting functions including AP, AR, payroll, general ledger, reconciliations and financial reporting. Project and operational insight: Track project performance, profitability, utilization, billing and financial trends to support better decision-making. Multi-entity oversight: Maintain financial oversight across Performance Engineering and related entities, ensuring consistency, accuracy and timely reporting. Strategic partnership: Support budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, KPI reporting and executive-level financial analysis. Compliance and risk management: Coordinate tax filings, audits, regulatory requirements, internal controls and external financial relationships. Position Overview Position Type: Full-time, exempt Industry: Civil engineering, surveying, construction management and project-based professional services Reporting Relationship: Works directly with ownership and leadership We are looking for a highly accountable and detail-oriented financial professional who can manage full-cycle accounting while helping leadership understand what the numbers mean for project performance, operations and future growth. The right person will be comfortable moving between day-to-day financial management and high-level strategic conversations. Key Responsibilities Lead accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger, reconciliations and close processes. Prepare accurate monthly and annual financial statements, including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting. Oversee monthly bank, credit card, investment, loan and liability reconciliations. Maintain recurring financial oversight across affiliated entities including Performance Engineering, Canyon Creek Development Group, D&A Holdings, Performance Holdings, Performance Engineering & Consulting and Rove/PE. Track project profitability, utilization, budgets, billing, collections and operational financial performance. Partner with project managers and leadership to connect financial results to project delivery and business performance. Lead annual budgeting, ongoing forecasting, cash flow planning and financial analysis. Prepare executive, board and management reporting packages, including financial summaries, KPI reporting, variance commentary and operational insight. Coordinate quarterly and annual compliance needs, including payroll tax filings, SUTA, PTET, FUTA, multi-state reporting and external CPA or auditor support. Maintain strong internal controls, financial integrity, risk management practices and documentation standards. Identify opportunities to improve margins, increase efficiency, scale operations and support sustainable growth. High integrity, accountability and attention to detail Strong analytical and problem-solving skills Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial team members Highly organized with the ability to manage recurring deadlines and competing priorities Hands-on, self-starting and ownership-driven approach Comfort working closely with owners, project managers and leadership teams Interest in helping shape long-term business strategy and growth Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance or a related field preferred CPA or CMA preferred, or actively working toward certification 2+ years of progressive accounting, financial management or controllership experience preferred Candidates with 5+ years of full-cycle bookkeeping or accounting experience and demonstrated financial management responsibilities will also be considered Strong understanding of accounting principles, financial reporting and complete accounting operations Experience in engineering, construction, consulting or another project-based industry preferred Experience with Deltek Ajera or a similar project accounting system is a plus Experience in a growing small-to-midsized company is helpful What We Offer Competitive salary based on experience 401(k) with company match and profit sharing Comprehensive health and dental insurance, with employee coverage fully covered and coverage offered for dependents Vision insurance option Life, AD&D and disability insurance Paid parental leave Comp time opportunities Ongoing professional development and leadership growth opportunities A supportive, collaborative team environment in Billings, Montana This position is full-time, and salary will be based on work experience. To learn more about our firm, feel free to look through our website! Performance Engineering has been recognized by Zweig Group as a Best Firm to Work For in 2024, 2025 and 2026, and as a Hot Firm in 2025 and 2026. Why Billings, Montana? Performance Engineering’s office is located in Billings, Montana, a community known for access to the outdoors, a strong quality of life and year-round recreation including fishing, hiking, biking, camping and hunting. #J-18808-Ljbffr