Construction Controller

ConsultNet Technology Services and Solutions; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Benefits

401k

PTO

Job summary

ConsultNet Technology Services and Solutions in Columbus, OH is seeking an experienced Construction Controller to lead the accounting function for a $20M painting contracting business. You will own financial reporting, job costing, and internal controls while advising ownership on strategy.

The role focuses on construction accounting, including WIP schedules, AIA-style billing, and multi-state payroll compliance; leader for accounting staff and coordination with auditors and bankers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field; CPA strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain monthly WIP schedule and manage percent-of-completion revenue recognition.
• Oversee project job costing: labor, materials, subcontractors, and overhead vs estimates.
• Review/change orders; ensure contract value updates and cost tracking.
• Manage progress billing, retainage, and lien waiver processes.
• Collaborate with PMs and estimators to reconcile job cost reports and flag margin variances.
• Monitor backlog reporting and under/overbilling positions.
• Own close process and ensure timely financial statements.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Job costing

WIP scheduling

Construction accounting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA

Tools

Deltek ComputerEase

Sage 300 CRE

Foundation

Viewpoint

Job description

Construction Controller

Columbus, Ohio (43123)
Salary: $110,000 -150,000 a year, ESOP, Benefits, 401k, 15+ Days PTO, etc.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the accounting function for our $20M commercial and industrial painting contracting business. As the senior finance leader in the organization, you will own financial reporting, job costing, and internal controls, while serving as a key advisor to ownership on financial strategy and business performance.

This is a hands-on role suited to someone fluent in construction accounting - comfortable managing WIP schedules and job cost detail as well as advising leadership on the bigger financial picture. As an ESOP company, we're looking for someone who takes ownership (literally and figuratively) of the company's financial health and communicates results clearly to employee-owners.

Construction & Job Cost Accounting

• Prepare and maintain the monthly Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedule; manage percentage-of-completion revenue recognition across active jobs
• Oversee job costing by project, tracking labor, materials, subcontractor, and overhead costs against estimates
• Review and process change orders, ensuring accurate contract value updates and cost tracking
• Manage progress billing/AIA-style billing, retainage tracking, and lien waiver processes
• Partner with project managers and estimators to reconcile job cost reports and flag margin variances early
• Monitor backlog reporting and underbilling/overbilling positions

Core Accounting & Reporting

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close process, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements
• Manage AP, AR, payroll (including certified payroll/prevailing wage if applicable), general ledger, and bank reconciliations
• Develop and maintain internal controls and accounting policies
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections; monitor performance against plan
• Serve as primary point of contact for external auditors, sureties, bonding agents, and banking relationships
• Ensure compliance with tax filings, multi-state payroll/sales tax, and regulatory requirements ESOP & Leadership
• Support the annual ESOP valuation process, working with the trustee and third-party appraiser
• Help communicate company financial performance to employee-owners in an accessible way
• Manage and mentor accounting staff; oversee outsourced bookkeeping or payroll functions as applicable
• Evaluate and improve accounting systems, job costing tools, and processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA strongly preferred
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including prior Controller or senior accounting leadership experience
• Construction industry accounting experience required - strong working knowledge of WIP schedules, percentage-of-completion accounting, job costing, change orders, and retainage
• Experience with Deltek ComputerEase or similar construction-specific accounting software (e.g., Sage 300 CRE, Foundation, Viewpoint) strongly preferred
• Familiarity with surety bonding and banking relationships in a contractor setting
• ESOP company experience a plus, though not required
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting standards
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain financial results to project managers, field leadership, and employee-owners alike
• High level of integrity and discretion in handling confidential financial information

We champion equality and inclusivity, proudly supporting an Equal Opportunity Employer policy. We welcome applicants regardless of Race, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Age, Genetic Information, Disability, Protected Veteran Status, or any other status protected by law.