Assistant Controller — Build & Scale GAAP Finance

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

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