Assistant Controller

Gilder Search Group; Piscataway Township (NJ); On-site; USD 135,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Gilder Search Group client in East Brunswick, NJ seeks an experienced Assistant Controller, Construction to lead month-end close, job costing and WIP reporting. This hands-on role partners with the Controller and project teams to own accounting operations and provide project-level financial insights.

The role requires strong construction accounting knowledge, GAAP, and collaboration with field staff and senior finance leadership.

Qualifications

• BA or BS in Accounting or Finance required; CPA or CPA eligible preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of construction accounting experience preferred.
• Hands-on experience with job costing and WIP reporting essential.
• Strong communication skills for regular interaction with project managers and senior finance leadership.
• Not a generalist accounting role; must translate project data into financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage the monthly close in accordance with GAAP; review journal entries and reconciliations.
• Own job costing across active construction projects with project managers and field teams.
• Prepare and review WIP schedules and percentage-of-completion calculations; flag cost overruns or billing issues.
• Collaborate with project managers to keep job cost data clean throughout the project lifecycle.
• Assist with financial statements, audits, and bonding/surety reporting requirements.
• Maintain internal controls around project accounting and revenue recognition.
• Assist with cash flow analysis, AIA billing processes, and subcontractor compliance tracking.

Skills

Construction accounting

Job costing

WIP reporting

GAAP

Communication

Education

BA/BS in Accounting or Finance

CPA or CPA eligible

Job description

Assistant Controller, Construction
East Brunswick, NJ

Our client, a construction business based in the East Brunswick area, is looking for an experienced Assistant Controller to join their accounting team. This is a hands on role for someone who knows construction accounting inside and out and wants real ownership over month end close, job costing, and WIP reporting.

The Assistant Controller will work closely with the Controller and take a lead role in day to day accounting operations, with visibility into broader financial reporting and project level analysis. It\'s a good fit for someone who wants more responsibility than a staff accountant role carries, but isn\'t ready for, or doesn\'t want, the full scope of a Controller seat yet.

Responsibilities

• Manage the monthly close process in accordance with GAAP, including preparing and reviewing journal entries, performing account reconciliations, and analyzing variances between actual and budgeted results.
• Own job costing across active construction projects, working directly with project managers and field teams to ensure costs are captured accurately and on time.
• Prepare and review WIP schedules, ensure percentage of completion calculations are correct, and flag any projects where cost overruns or billing issues need attention before they become a problem.
• Work with project managers regularly, not just at month end, to keep job cost data clean throughout the project lifecycle.
• Assist with preparation of financial statements, support the annual audit, and handle bonding and surety reporting requirements.
• Help maintain strong internal controls around project accounting and revenue recognition.
• Assist with cash flow analysis, AIA billing processes, and subcontractor compliance tracking where relevant.

Requirements

• BA or BS in Accounting or Finance required. CPA or CPA eligible preferred but not mandatory for the right candidate.
• Minimum 5 years of construction accounting experience preferred, though candidates with strong general accounting and analytical backgrounds who are eager to specialize in construction will also be considered.
• Hands on experience with job costing and WIP reporting is essential.
• Comfortable working directly with project data and translating it into accurate financial reporting. This is not a generalist accounting role.
• Strong communication skills, given regular interaction with project managers, field staff, and senior finance leadership.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salary of $150,000, with an annual bonus target of 20% to 25%.