Assistant Controller

Watterson-Environmental-; Schaumburg (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Cell Phone Stipend

Job summary

Watterson-Environmental- seeks a hands-on Assistant Controller to own accuracy and integrity of financial records under U.S. GAAP, lead staff accountants, and serve as the Controller’s right‑hand.

This builder’s seat drives growth through new entities, fleet expansion, and ERP upgrades, with a fast-moving, evolving environment. This role blends detailed reconciliation with big‑picture planning, maintaining a timely monthly close while enabling strategic company growth and operational

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years progressive accounting, including WIP accounting and analysis.
• Strong current knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls.
• Proven experience with financial systems, automation tools, and large data sets.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Experience driving process improvement and leading through change in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience at a company supported by either a lender or a private equity firm.
• CPA and/or master’s degree – preferred.
• Experience automating processes and ERP integration.
• Experience with Acumatica or similar ERP such as Sage/Great Plains/Workday.

Responsibilities

• Close & controls. Run daily and monthly accounting across journal entries, the general ledger, and balance sheet reconciliations, and deliver a clean close every period.
• Technical accounting & policy. Own technical accounting research, position memos, and written policy for complex transactions, including revenue recognition, leases, and business combinations.
• Job cost, WIP & project accounting: Own work in progress (WIP) schedules and job cost accounting. Track costs against budgets, review WIP and surface variances.
• Fixed assets & fleet. Maintain the books across branch holdings and the vehicle fleet, including fixed assets, depreciation, capitalization, and the cost tracking that keeps property and equipment reporting accurate.
• Prepare, analyze, and present weekly and monthly financial reports, KPIs, dashboards, and variance analytics to senior leadership to support strategic planning and business performance monitoring.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement process improvements, automation tools and scalable accounting solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control across the accounting function.
• Lead coordination of external audits, internal reporting requirements, and special projects, exercising discretion in resolving accounting issues and insuring timely completion of deliverables.
• Performance Management: hiring, firing, performance appraisals of accounting team.

Skills

GAAP knowledge & IC

Internal controls

Financial systems

Automation tools

Data analysis

Process improvement

Leadership

Private equity exposure

CPA preferred

ERP knowledge

Education

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

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Description

Position Summary: We’re looking for a hands‑on Assistant Controller who thrives with a fluid company. You’ll own the accuracy and integrity of our financial records under U.S. GAAP, lead a team of staff accountants, and serve as the Controller’s right‑hand individual as the business grows through customer expansion, operational improvements, and de novo openings. This is a builder’s seat, not a maintenance seat. Our environment moves quickly and changes constantly, with new entities, new properties, an expanding vehicle fleet, and new systems. The right person doesn’t wait for a playbook. They set direction, work independently, and bring order to ambiguity while keeping the monthly close process on schedule. This person is also comfortable moving between the detail of reconciliation and the big picture of a growing business.

Key Responsibilities

• Close & controls. Run daily and monthly accounting across journal entries, the general ledger, and balance sheet reconciliations, and deliver a clean close every period.
• Technical accounting & policy. Own technical accounting research, position memos, and written policy for complex transactions, including revenue recognition, leases, and business combinations.
• Job cost, WIP & project accounting: Own work in progress (WIP) schedules and job cost accounting. Track costs against budgets, review WIP (w for accuracy, and surface variances before they become surprises.
• Fixed assets & fleet. Maintain the books across branch holdings and the vehicle fleet, including fixed assets, depreciation, capitalization, and the cost tracking that keeps property and equipment reporting accurate.
• Prepare, analyze, and present weekly and monthly financial reports, key performance indicators (KPIs), dashboards, and variance analytics to senior leadership to support strategic planning and business performance monitoring.
• Evaluate, recommend, and implement process improvements, automation tools and scalable accounting solutions to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control across the accounting function.
• Lead coordination of external audits, internal reporting requirements, and special projects, exercising discretion in resolving accounting issues and insuring timely completion of deliverables.
• Performance Management: hiring, firing, performance appraisals of accounting team.

Competencies

• Leadership: Ability to oversee full‑cycle accounting, including month‑end close, general ledger, reconciliations, and GAAP compliant reporting. Ability to lead, mentor, and high performance among direct reports.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis – Expertise in preparing and presenting financial results, KPIs, and variance analyses to support informed business decisions.
• Internal Controls & Compliance: Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and controls to ensure accuracy and regulatory compliance.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Ability to partner with Operations, Finance, and Treasury to support cash management and strategic initiatives.
• Process Improvement & Automation: Skill in identifying and implementing efficiencies, system enhancements, and automation opportunities.
• Audit & Project Leadership: Ability to lead audit coordination, reporting requirements, and special projects with independent judgment and discretion.

Benefits

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• EAP
• STD/LTD
• Basic Life and AD&D
• Voluntary Life
• Supplemental: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity
• Cell Phone Stipend
• 401(k)
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Watterson is an Equal Employment Opportunity and E‑Verify employer.

Disclaimer: This job description is intended to outline the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this role. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or competencies. Employees may be directed to perform job‑related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description based on business needs.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting, including direct work with WIP accounting and analysis.
• Strong current knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls.
• Proven experience with financial systems, automation tools, and large data sets.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• A track record of driving process improvement and leading through change in a fast‑paced environment.
• Experience at a company supported by either a lender or a private equity firm.
• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) and/or master’s degree – preferred.
• Experience automating processes and integrating acquired businesses into ERP system preferred.
• Experience working with Acumatica ERP system, or a comparable system such as Sage, Great Plains, or Workday.
• Job cost accounting and/or management of multi‑site P&Ls preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position in an office or job-site environment.
• Ability to remain in a stationary position and/or move throughout the workplace as needed.
• Ability to operate standard office and job‑related equipment.
• Ability to occasionally reach, bend, kneel, climb, and lift or move items weighing up to 20 pounds.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.