Our client is a growing architectural and engineering services firm with a strong reputation for delivering innovative projects across a diverse portfolio of clients. As the organization continues to expand, they are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the finance function, strengthen financial processes, and support strategic decision-making.
Reporting to senior leadership, the Controller will be responsible for overseeing all accounting and financial operations of the business. This role requires a hands-on leader with strong people management skills and experience within a project-based environment, ideally involving work-in-progress (WIP) management, percentage-of-completion accounting, and/or time and materials (T&M) billing.
The successful candidate will provide financial leadership to the organization, ensure accurate and timely reporting, improve processes and controls, and partner with operational leaders to drive business performance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead all day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and financial reporting.
- Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reporting packages.
- Oversee month-end and year-end close processes.
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and internal policies.
- Coordinate annual audits, tax filings, and external financial reporting requirements.
- Manage project accounting processes, including project setup, revenue recognition, WIP reporting, and project profitability analysis.
- Oversee time and materials billing and monitor project invoicing to ensure accuracy and timely collection.
- Partner with project managers and operational leaders to review project financial performance, budgets, forecasts, and utilization metrics.
- Analyze project margins, backlog, and WIP balances to identify risks and opportunities.
- Develop and enhance project reporting to support informed business decisions.
- Lead, mentor, and develop the finance and accounting team.
- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.
- Establish clear performance objectives and support employee growth and development.
- Evaluate staffing needs and assist in building the finance function to support company growth.
- Strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and financial procedures.
- Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting capabilities, and system efficiencies.
- Support ERP, financial system, and reporting enhancements as required.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across finance and operations.
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Provide financial analysis and strategic recommendations to leadership.
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and overall financial performance.
- Support business planning, growth initiatives, and special projects.
Qualifications:
- CPA designation required.
- 8+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibilities.
- Experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Senior Finance Manager within an architectural, engineering, construction, consulting, professional services, or other project-based environment.
- Strong experience with WIP accounting, project costing, revenue recognition, and/or time and materials billing.
- Proven people management experience with the ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong understanding of financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal controls.
- Advanced proficiency with ERP/accounting systems and Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and business partnering skills.
- Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on in a growing organization.
- Experience in architecture, engineering, consulting, or construction-related industries.
- Familiarity with project-based ERP systems.
- Experience supporting business growth, process improvement, or system implementations.
Why Join?
- Opportunity to play a key leadership role in a growing and dynamic organization.
- High visibility with senior leadership and the ability to influence business decisions.
- Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with opportunities for professional growth.
