Assistant Controller

ICES: Data, Discovery, Better Health; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401K with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Sehlhorst Equipment Services is seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to strengthen accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for our Ohio-based projects across multiple states. This full-time, exempt role reports to the Controller and requires leadership of payroll, AR, month-end close, and process improvements.

Based in Cleves, OH, this on-site position offers a collaborative environment, competitive compensation, and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• At least three years of progressive accounting experience, including month-end close and financial statement prep.
• Ability to analyze problems, evaluate information, and develop solutions.
• Capable of managing competing priorities with limited supervision.

Responsibilities

• Support the Controller in managing day-to-day accounting operations.
• Lead payroll function including processing, prevailing wage compliance, and labor reporting.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes with journal entries and reconciliations.
• Review general ledger activity and investigate variances.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Support job-cost accounting, including project cost reporting and profitability reviews.
• Collaborate with project leaders to prepare AIA invoices and manage overdue billings.
• Help establish and improve accounting policies and internal controls.
• Assist with audits, tax filings, and external reporting.

Skills

GAAP

Excel

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Computerease

Excel (advanced)

Job description

Job Title: Assistant Controller

Position Type: Full-time/Exempt, 1st shift, paid weekly

Location: Cleves, OH (on-site)

Reports To: Controller

Position Overview

We are a rapidly growing site preparation and demolition contractor serving customers throughout Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Following tremendous growth over the past two years, we are seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to help strengthen our accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls.

Reporting to the Controller, the Assistant Controller will oversee key accounting functions including payroll and accounts receivable, support the month-end close, and help build scalable processes for a growing organization. The ideal candidate has a strong command of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to anticipate next steps and carry assignments through to completion. This position requires a strong work ethic, sound judgment, attention to detail, and a willingness to work collaboratively across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the Controller in managing the company’s day-to-day accounting operations.
• Lead all aspects of the payroll function including processing non-union payroll, prevailing wage compliance, certified payroll reporting, fringe benefits, and labor reporting.
• Lead or assist with the month-end and year-end close processes, including journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and financial statement analysis.
• Review general ledger activity and investigate unusual balances, variances, or trends.
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Support job-cost accounting, including project cost reporting, cost-to-complete analysis, and profitability reviews.
• Collaborate with project leaders and management to prepare monthly AIA invoices. Prepare and submit supporting documentation in accordance with project reporting requirements and deadlines. Follow-up on past due client billings.
• Help establish, document, and improve accounting policies, procedures, workflows, and internal controls.
• Assist with annual audits, tax filings, banking requirements, bonding requests, insurance audits, and other external reporting needs.
• Collaborate with project managers, estimators, operations leaders, and executive management to ensure financial information is accurate and complete.
• Support accounting-system improvements, integrations, and other finance-related projects.
• Help develop accounting team members through training, guidance, and review of their work.
• Take ownership of assignments, anticipate required follow-up, and independently determine appropriate next steps.
• Perform other accounting and financial duties as business needs evolve.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting principles.
• At least three years of progressive accounting experience, including meaningful responsibility for month-end close and financial statement preparation.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze problems, evaluate available information, and develop well-reasoned solutions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, and complete work with limited supervision.
• Analytical and resourceful, with the ability to look beyond the immediate task and determine what needs to happen next.
• Strong work ethic, personal accountability, and commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and follow-through.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, in particular Excel.
• Ability to work effectively with accounting personnel, operational teams, project leaders, and senior management.
• High level of integrity and discretion when handling confidential financial and payroll related information.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Accounting experience in construction, demolition, excavation, site preparation, heavy civil construction, or a related project-based industry.
• Experience with payroll, payroll taxes, and prevailing wage requirements in a multi-location business.
• Experience with job costing, work-in-progress (WIP) schedules, retainage, equipment accounting, and construction revenue recognition.
• CPA designation or progress toward certification.
• Experience in a rapidly growing company or in an environment undergoing process and systems improvement.
• Familiarity with Computerease accounting software.

What We Offer

• An important role in a stable, successful, and rapidly growing organization.
• The opportunity to help shape accounting processes, systems, and controls during a significant stage of growth.
• Competitive compensation commensurate with experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package including health, dental, vision, life and disability, 401K with company match, and paid time off.
• Opportunities for professional growth and increased responsibility.

Work Environment

This position is based in Cleves, OH and is expected to work on-site.

Sehlhorst Equipment Services is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Sehlhorst Equipment Services is a participant in the Substance Use Prevention and Recovery Program (SUPR) of the Ohio Bureau of Worker’s Compensation.