Construction Controller

Approach HR, LLC; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 115,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefit reimbursement

Paid time off

Paid holidays

401(k) match

Bonus opportunity

Cell phone benefit

Job summary

Approach HR & Virtual Services is recruiting a Construction Controller for a privately held construction business in the northwest Twin Cities metro. This hands-on leadership role oversees accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, cash forecasting, payroll, and internal controls with direct access to ownership for strategic financial decisions.

The ideal candidate has CPA credentials or equivalent, extensive construction accounting experience (preferably heavy civil), and

Qualifications

• Experience with Controller-level accounting responsibilities.
• Construction accounting experience, preferably heavy civil.
• Active CPA license and accounting degree required.

Responsibilities

• Billing & job accounting: maintain calendar, invoices, pay apps.
• Receivables & cash planning: weekly collections timeline, cash forecast.
• Accounting & financial reporting: GL ownership, month-end close, financial statements.
• Accounts payable & financial controls: vendor records, lien waivers, internal controls.
• Payroll & construction compliance: accurate payroll, certified payroll, remittances.
• Systems & outside advisers: coordinate with CPA, banks, and auditors.

Skills

Construction accounting

Cash forecasting

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Job costing

Union payroll

Education

Accounting/Finance degree

CPA license

Tools

Trimble Viewpoint Vista

Viewpoint Spectrum

QuickBooks

Job description

Posted by Approach HR & Virtual Services on behalf of a confidential client

Annual base salary: $115,000–$140,000 annually

Bring your construction accounting expertise to a role with direct access to ownership and responsibility for financial performance.

Approach HR & Virtual Services is recruiting a Construction Controller for a privately held construction business in the northwest Twin Cities metro. This hands-on accounting leadership position supports a heavy civil construction operation and a related business.

We are seeking someone who brings accuracy, initiative, and sound judgment to daily accounting while helping ownership understand cash needs, project profitability, and financial risks. The ideal candidate anticipates deadlines, strengthens processes, and follows through on issues without repeated prompting.

About the Role

Construction Controller

Northwest Twin Cities Metro | Full-time | On-site

Posted by Approach HR & Virtual Services on behalf of a confidential client

Annual base salary: $115,000–$140,000 annually

Bring your construction accounting expertise to a role with direct access to ownership and responsibility for financial performance.

Approach HR & Virtual Services is recruiting a Construction Controller for a privately held construction business in the northwest Twin Cities metro. This hands-on accounting leadership position supports a heavy civil construction operation and a related business.

We are seeking someone who brings accuracy, initiative, and sound judgment to daily accounting while helping ownership understand cash needs, project profitability, and financial risks. The ideal candidate anticipates deadlines, strengthens processes, and follows through on issues without repeated prompting.

About the Role

The Construction Controller will oversee accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, cash forecasting, construction accounting, payroll, and internal controls. Working closely with ownership, operations, administrative staff, and outside advisers, this person will turn financial information into practical recommendations.

Key ResponsibilitiesBilling & Job Accounting

• Maintain a billing calendar and ensure timely, accurate invoices and pay applications.
• Verify that every job with posted costs is reviewed for appropriate billing.
• Prepare a monthly unbilled-cost report identifying outstanding amounts, reasons for delays, and next steps.
• Maintain accurate job costs, cost codes, contract values, change orders, retainage, and financial job records.
• Prepare work-in-progress schedules, review estimated costs to complete with operations, and identify changes in projected profitability.

Receivables & Cash Planning

• Review payment terms and billing requirements for each job.
• Maintain a weekly receivables timeline showing anticipated collections, overdue balances, and follow-up actions.
• Prepare a rolling cash forecast that includes payroll, union benefits, taxes, debt payments, and other fixed obligations.
• Coordinate collections and payment priorities, identify projected shortfalls early, and recommend actions to ownership.

Accounting & Financial Reporting

• Own the general ledger, monthly reconciliations, month-end and year-end close, and financial statements for both businesses.
• Maintain supporting schedules for receivables, payables, loans, fixed assets, accruals, and intercompany balances.
• Prepare budgets and forecasts, explain variances, and provide regular reporting to ownership.
• Present financial concerns, recommendations, and decisions needed clearly and promptly.

Accounts Payable & Financial Controls

• Own accounts payable, including vendor records, invoice coding, discrepancy resolution, payment approvals, and payment scheduling.
• Maintain supporting documentation and applicable lien waivers.
• Strengthen internal controls, follow authorization limits, and verify vendor banking changes.
• Protect confidential financial, banking, payroll, and employee information.

Payroll & Construction Compliance

• Process accurate, timely payroll using approved time records, rates, classifications, and deductions.
• Maintain complete payroll records, including special pay agreements and approved changes.
• Administer union reporting, dues, fringe benefit contributions, remittances, and reconciliations.
• Ensure accurate certified payroll and prevailing-wage reporting, including wage classifications, rates, fringe benefits, and required submissions.
• Coordinate payroll tax reporting and resolve discrepancies with ownership and service providers.

Systems & Outside Advisers

• Use accounting software and spreadsheets to improve reporting accuracy, visibility, and efficiency.
• Document procedures and maintain records that support reliable backup coverage.
• Coordinate with the CPA, payroll providers, banks, insurance advisers, and other professional partners on filings, renewals, audits, and reporting obligations.

Qualifications

• Experience performing Controller-level accounting responsibilities, including financial close, reporting, reconciliations, budgeting, and cash forecasting.
• Demonstrated construction accounting experience, preferably in heavy civil construction or a closely related specialty.
• Experience with heavy civil construction accounting software, such as Trimble Viewpoint Vista or Viewpoint Spectrum, plus proficiency with QuickBooks.
• Strong working knowledge of job costing, work in progress, contract billing, retainage, and project profitability analysis.
• Experience with union payroll and benefit reporting, certified payroll, and prevailing-wage compliance.
• Strong spreadsheet skills and the ability to investigate discrepancies and explain financial results clearly.
• Education in accounting, finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and demonstrated experience.
• Active CPA license required.
• A proactive approach to deadlines, professional communication, confidentiality, and accountability.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary of $115,000–$140,000 annually, depending on qualifications and relevant experience.
• Health benefit reimbursement.
• Up to three weeks of paid time off, based on qualifications and experience.
• Six paid holidays.
• 401(k) plan with an employer match of up to 4%, subject to plan eligibility requirements.
• Bonus opportunity based on established performance criteria.
• Cell phone benefit.

Work Location & Schedule

This is a full-time, on-site position in the northwest Twin Cities metro, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule. Additional availability may be needed around payroll, financial close, and other critical deadlines.