Assistant Controller

Grassi; North Valley Stream (NY); On-site; USD 180,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Standard benefit package

Job summary

Grassi is seeking an Assistant Controller in Elmont, NY to lead company-wide accounting operations, including corporate and project accounting, payroll, and AP/AR. The role emphasizes accurate close processes, cash flow management, and collaboration with HR and Project Management to ensure unified financial reporting.

The position demands 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience, including 3 years in construction, with CMiC or similar ERP proficiency and strong Excel and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• 5–7 years of progressive accounting experience with 3+ years in construction.
• Experience with job cost accounting, WIP reporting, and percentage-of-completion revenue.
• Experience with month-end/year-end close and financial statements.
• Fluent knowledge of payroll compliance and tax issues.

Responsibilities

• Oversee corporate accounting, AP/AR, GL, reconciliations, and close processes.
• Manage project accounting, WIP schedules, and percentage-of-completion.
• Oversee project profitability, contract billing, and retainage management.
• Analyze cost-to-completion, billing, and revenue projections for profitability.
• Partner with project managers on requisitions, cost issues, and variances.
• Support cash flow, budgeting, and forecasting at company and project levels.
• Supervise payroll, benefits, and HR data handoffs.
• Coordinate audits and implement process improvements.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

Communication skills

Problem solving

Collaborative mindset

Attention to detail

Leadership / supervision

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

CMiC

ERP systems

Job description

Job Information

Location: Elmont, NY (in Person 5 days)

Compensation Range: $180,000-$220,000 + standard benefit package

Position Summary:

The Assistant Controller manages the company’s accounting operations, overseeing corporate accounting, project accounting, payroll, and accounts payable functions to ensure accurate, timely processing, reconciliation, and financial reporting across the organization. This is a hands-on role responsible for the day-to-day accounting close process, project financial performance, and cash flow management, supervising accounting staff and partnering closely with the Corporate Controller, Human Resources, and Project Management to ensure accurate, coordinated financial reporting company-wide.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage corporate accounting operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger functions, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end closing processes.
• Manage project accounting, including job cost accounting, work-in-progress (WIP) schedules, and percentage-of-completion accounting across active projects.
• Oversee project profitability reporting, contract billing, change order accounting, and retainage management.
• Analyze reports - including cost-to-completion, billing and projected revenue - and to evaluate project profitability and financial performance.
• Partner with project managers to complete requisition processes, identify cost issues, margin risks, forecasting variances, and corrective actions.
• Support cash flow management, budgeting, and forecasting at both the company and project levels, including monitoring accounts receivable, accounts payable, project billings, collections, and projected cash requirements.
• Oversee payroll administration, including timely processing and reporting, tax submission, certified payroll, prevailing wage compliance, and project payroll processing.
• Partner with HR to maintain a collaborative check-and-balance process over shared functions — benefits and payroll changes including hires and terminations, timekeeping/PTO reconciliation, and compensation changes — ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant data handoffs between departments.
• Support ongoing compliance with applicable federal, state, and local tax and regulatory requirements, including timely filing of taxes.
• Provide day-to-day supervision of accounting staff, including coaching, performance feedback, and career development.
• Support internal and external audits, including coordinating with external auditors, tax advisors, and other outside parties.
• Identify and implement improvements to accounting processes, systems, reporting and internal controls.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 5-7 years of progressive accounting experience, at least 3 years’ experience in the construction industry.
• Working knowledge of job cost accounting, WIP reporting, and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition.
• Experience with month-end/year-end close and preparation of financial statements.
• Experience with general ledger reconciliation and accounts payable/receivable operations.
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and regulatory requirements affecting accounting operations, including taxes and payroll.
• Experience with certified payroll/prevailing wage compliance.
• Proficiency with construction accounting/ERP systems (CMiC preferred).
• Advanced Excel skills (PivotTables, XLOOKUP/VLOOKUP, SUMIFS, financial modeling).
• Experience supervising or training accounting staff.
• Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments.

Preferred:

• Experience in a closely-held or family-owned organization.
• Familiarity with lien waivers and AIA billing formats.

Core Competencies

• Execution & Reliability — Delivers accurate, timely work within established processes and deadlines.
• Team Development — Coaches, supervises, and develops accounting staff.
• Sound Judgment Within Boundaries — Handles routine issues independently; knows when to elevate to the Controller.
• Attention to Detail — Catches discrepancies before they reach the Controller or ownership.
• Project Financial Insight — Reads job cost and WIP data to spot margin risk and forecasting variances early.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration — Partners effectively with HR, Estimating, and Project Operations teams to reach aligned, company-wide outcomes.
• Process & Controls Orientation — Identifies, recommends, and supports implementation of improvements to accounting processes and internal controls.