Assistant Controller

Premier Executive Search; New York (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Profit-sharing program

Medical insurance (company pays 75%)

Dental and vision insurance covered (0

401(k) match up to 4%

Paid vacation and sick time

Exposure to COO and senior leadership

Advancement to Controller

Job summary

Premier Executive Search is representing an established, rapidly growing commercial mechanical contractor in New Hyde Park, NY. This role offers a fast track from Assistant Controller to Controller, with direct exposure to the COO and senior leadership.

Hands-on ownership of the accounting function is expected as the company scales. The ideal candidate brings direct construction accounting experience, strong WIP/cost-to-cost knowledge, and a proven track record in month-end close, cash flow, and

Qualifications

• Direct accounting experience within the construction industry.
• Hands-on knowledge of WIP and percentage-of-completion/cost-to-cost accounting.
• Strong job-costing/project accounting experience.
• Experience owning or playing a significant role in the monthly close.
• Strong cash-flow forecasting and working-capital management skills.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Ability and willingness to remain hands-on with the accounting.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, responsiveness, and follow-through.
• Experience with AIA billing, union payroll/reporting, Sage Intacct/Sage construction products, HVAC, plumbing, MEP, or specialty contracting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly close with a target of a consistent 7-day close.
• Own the general ledger and financial reporting.
• Prepare and analyze weekly P&Ls by division/market.
• Maintain a 13-week cash-flow forecast.
• Prepare monthly journal entries, accruals, prepaids, depreciation and other closing entries.
• Perform reconciliations of bank and balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare variance analysis and management reports.
• Oversee AP, AR, and billing accuracy and timeliness.
• Support construction accounting and audits; coordinate with CPA, union, tax.
• Participate in weekly P&L and management meetings; provide ad-hoc analyses.

Skills

Construction accounting

WIP accounting

Percentage-of-completion

Cost-to-cost accounting

Job costing

Monthly close

Cash-flow forecasting

Financial reporting

Advanced Excel

Hands-on accounting

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Sage Intacct

Sage construction products

AIA billing

Excel

Job description

Fast Track to Controller | New Hyde Park, NY

PLEASE NOTE: Direct construction accounting experience—including WIP, percentage-of-completion/cost-to-cost, and job costing is required for consideration.

An established, rapidly growing commercial mechanical contractor is seeking a talented, hands-on accounting professional to join its leadership team as an Assistant Controller with a clear path to Controller — or step directly into the Controller role for someone with the right experience.

The company has doubled in size over the past several years and continues to experience significant growth across its commercial HVAC, plumbing, and maintenance businesses. With growth comes the opportunity to further develop the company's accounting infrastructure, improve reporting and create greater financial visibility for management.

This is a highly visible role working directly with the COO and senior leadership. The individual currently overseeing the day-to-day accounting function will transition responsibilities to the new hire over the next several months, creating a unique opportunity to learn the business and ultimately take ownership of the accounting function.

For an Assistant Controller ready for the next step, this offers a genuine fast track to Controller. For an experienced Controller who enjoys being hands-on and wants significant influence within a growing company, the organization is prepared to hire at the Controller level from day one.

What You'll Own

• Lead the monthly close, with a goal of achieving a consistent 7-day close
• Take ownership of the general ledger and financial reporting
• Prepare and analyze weekly P&Ls by division/market
• Maintain and manage a detailed 13-week cash-flow forecast
• Prepare monthly journal entries, accruals, prepaids, depreciation, amortization, and other closing entries
• Perform and review bank, balance sheet, and account reconciliations
• Prepare variance analysis and management reporting
• Oversee the accuracy and timeliness of AP, AR, and billing
• Ensure billing, AP, financial reporting, and cash forecasting remain closely aligned
• Support construction accounting, including WIP, job costing, and percentage-of-completion/cost-to-cost accounting
• Oversee sales tax calculations and remittances
• Support payroll and union-related accounting/reporting
• Coordinate CPA, insurance, union, tax, and other audits
• Participate in weekly P&L and management meetings
• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis directly to the COO and senior leadership
• Identify and implement opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, reporting, and efficiency as the organization continues to scale

Construction Experience Is Required

We are specifically looking for someone who has:

• Direct accounting experience within the construction industry
• Hands-on knowledge of WIP and percentage-of-completion/cost-to-cost accounting
• Strong job-costing/project accounting experience
• Experience owning or playing a significant role in the monthly close
• Strong cash-flow forecasting and working-capital management skills
• Advanced Excel skills
• Ability and willingness to remain hands-on with the accounting
• Strong organization, attention to detail, responsiveness, and follow-through

Experience with AIA billing, union payroll/reporting, Sage Intacct/Sage construction products, HVAC, plumbing, MEP, or specialty contracting is highly desirable.

Who Will Thrive Here

We are looking for someone who is both technically strong and willing to roll up their sleeves. This is not a role for someone who wants to sit above a large accounting department and delegate the work.

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

This is more than an Assistant Controller opening. It is an opportunity to become a key financial leader within a growing company and build toward ownership of the accounting function.

You’ll join an established business that has already achieved significant growth, work closely with senior decision-makers, and have the opportunity to make an immediate and visible impact.

• $140,000–$180,000 base salary, depending on experience and whether hired at the Assistant Controller or Controller level
• Annual profit-sharing program
• Company pays 75% of medical insurance premiums
• Company pays 100% of dental and vision insurance
• 401(k) match up to 4% when contributing 5%
• Paid vacation and sick time, with flexibility for the right candidate
• Direct exposure to the COO and senior leadership
• Experienced external accounting/advisory resources available when needed
• Clear advancement opportunity to Controller
• Opportunity to grow alongside a company that has doubled in size in recent years
• Potential for increased workplace flexibility over time based on performance and trust

Location

This is an onsite position initially, allowing the new hire to work closely with leadership and fully learn the business during the transition. The company is performance-driven and offers greater flexibility over time to proven high performers.