Controller

Job summary

The Controller will lead all day-to-day accounting operations and oversee financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls. They will specifically manage project-based accounting, including WIP reporting and revenue recognition, while mentoring the finance team.

Job details

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.

What you’ll do

The Controller will lead all day-to-day accounting operations and oversee financial reporting, budgeting, and internal controls. They will specifically manage project-based accounting, including WIP reporting and revenue recognition, while mentoring the finance team.

Requirements

Candidates must hold a CPA designation and have 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, specifically within a project-based environment like engineering or architecture. Proven leadership skills and proficiency in ERP systems and Excel are required.

Listed skills

• ERP systems · Preferred
• Budgeting · Preferred
• Financial Reporting · Preferred
• Microsoft Excel · Preferred
• Revenue Recognition · Preferred
• Financial analysis · Preferred
• Forecasting · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Financial Reporting
• Project Accounting
• WIP Management
• Revenue Recognition
• Budgeting
• Forecasting
• Internal Controls
• People Management
• Cash Flow Monitoring
• ERP Systems
• Microsoft Excel
• Time and Materials Billing
• Financial Analysis
• Audit Coordination
• Tax Filing
• Strategic Decision-making

Job areas

• Finance & Accounting
• Management & Leadership
• Engineering
• Consulting
• Construction