Assistant Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Assistant Controller — New York City / New Jersey

A well-established, institutionally backed specialty trade contractor with a dominant market presence across the tri-state area is seeking an Assistant Controller to join a lean, senior finance team at a pivotal moment.

The finance function is led by a hands-on, commercially minded CFO who has been working directly inside the close process and knows exactly what needs to improve. The Controller is a long-standing member of the team who will be transitioning in the near term — and this role was built with that succession in mind. The path to Controller is real, explicit, and on a 1 to 2 year horizon. The CFO followed this exact trajectory himself and will tell you that story directly.

The Role

Reporting directly to the CFO, you will take ownership of the monthly close, drive meaningful process improvement, and build the discipline and rigor the team needs to operate at the next level. This means strong reconciliations across key accounts, journal entry review, intercompany and prepaid accounting, internal controls documentation, and improving the Excel-based workflows that underpin the close. You will also support the annual audit cycle and contribute to management reporting as the function scales.

This is not a maintenance role. It is a build role — for someone who sees inefficiency and wants to fix it.

What We Are Looking For

• 5 or more years of accounting experience, with at least two years in a corporate accounting environment
• Strong Excel skills — this is a genuine requirement, not a checkbox
• Hands-on close process experience with a track record of improving it
• Reconciliations depth — bank, intercompany, prepaid, and key accounts
• Public accounting background is a plus, but you must have already made the move to industry
• CPA preferred, not a hard requirement for the right candidate
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and genuinely motivated by building something — the team is long tenured and values people who earn their place
• NYC or NJ based, comfortable splitting time between offices across both states. Travel between locations is fully expensed.

Why This Role

• Path to Controller is real, near term, and explicit — not a vague promise
• CFO mentorship from day one — someone who has lived this trajectory and is invested in your development
• Subsidiary of a publicly traded parent (NYSE listed) — institutional resources, Big 4 audit exposure, and group reporting rigor — excellent for someone building a serious corporate finance career
• Fast-growing infrastructure services division driving genuine business momentum
• Stable, senior team with deep institutional knowledge — long tenure is the norm here
• High client retention business. The company is selective about the work it takes on.

Are you someone who thrives in a collaborative, in-person environment?

This role is based in the office five days a week. There is a little flex here and there, but if you do your best work around good people and a strong team culture — this is the environment for you.

Compensation

• Base $140,000 – $150,000 | 20% performance bonus | Full benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k)