Construction Controller

ColonialWebb Contractors Company; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package

Leadership role within a growing organization

Opportunity to shape financial strategy

Career growth and professional development opportunities

Job summary

A leading construction firm is seeking a Construction Controller in Richmond, VA. This role offers the chance to become a strategic financial partner to the CFO, providing oversight of accounting and financial planning in commercial construction operations. The ideal candidate must have a Bachelor’s in Accounting or Finance and an active CPA license. Responsibilities include leading financial reviews, managing job costs, and ensuring GAAP compliance. This position demands strong leadership and analytical skills with an emphasis on financial strategy during the company's growth phase.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in job cost accounting within a self‑perform commercial construction environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in percentage‑of‑completion accounting and cost‑to‑complete forecasting.
• Experience managing rolling quarterly forecasts tied to backlog and project margins.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly cost-to-complete reviews for major construction projects.
• Oversee monthly percentage-of-completion revenue reporting.
• Partner with Project Managers for accurate WIP and backlog forecasts.
• Own month-end and year-end close processes.
• Develop and deliver construction-focused dashboards and reporting.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Construction operations

MS Excel

Data analysis and reporting (Power BI preferred)

Leadership and communication

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Active CPA license

Job description

Job Title: Construction Controller
Department: Finance
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
FLSA Status: Exempt
Location: Richmond, VA (Occasional Travel Required)

Position Summary

ColonialWebb is seeking a Construction Controller to serve as a strategic financial partner to the CFO and Construction operational leaders. As our commercial construction operations continue to grow and expand, this role will provide strong oversight of job cost accounting, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, and financial planning and analysis across the construction organization.

The Construction Controller will play a critical leadership role on the Company’s Senior Leadership Group and help ensure disciplined financial management as project volume and complexity increase. This position requires deep expertise in construction accounting, including cost-to-complete forecasting, WIP reporting, backlog analysis, and GAAP compliance. An active CPA license is required.

Who We Are

At ColonialWebb, we are a leading provider of mechanical and electrical construction, service, and manufacturing services throughout the Mid-Atlantic. For over 50 years, we’ve built our reputation on safety, innovation, and delivering exceptional results for our customers. As we continue to grow, we remain committed to operational excellence, financial discipline, and developing strong leaders across our organization.

Our workplace values guide everything we do:

• Safety – We make the prevention of injuries and vehicle incidents our number one priority.
• Integrity – We are truthful and honest in our words and actions.
• Empathy – We understand and appreciate our customers’ and teammates’ perspectives.
• Urgency – We give immediate attention to important tasks without compromising safety.

Perks of Joining ColonialWebb

• Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package
• Leadership role within a growing, financially strong organization
• High visibility partnership with executive and operational leadership
• Opportunity to shape financial strategy and scalability during expansion
• Career growth and professional development opportunities

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (A Day in the Life)

• Lead and actively engage in monthly cost-to-complete reviews for major construction projects
• Oversee and prepare monthly percentage-of-completion revenue reporting, ensuring alignment with cost-to-complete reviews, profit fade/gain analysis, and GAAP compliance
• Partner with Project Managers and Preconstruction teams to develop and maintain accurate monthly WIP and backlog forecasts
• In partnership with the Service Controller, ensure accurate reporting of ColonialWebb’s financial position and construction operating results
• Provide leadership over Financial Planning & Analysis and General Accounting functions supporting construction operations
• Own month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring job cost integrity and WIP accuracy within established deadlines
• Maintain and continuously improve internal controls related to job cost tracking, change orders, billing, and revenue recognition
• Prepare financial reports for internal leadership and upstream reporting
• Review and approve journal entries, accruals, and account reconciliations related to construction activities
• Lead the annual budget and quarterly forecast processes, incorporating backlog, manpower planning, and margin projections
• Serve as a key liaison during the annual audit for construction accounting matters
• Ensure compliance with payroll tax, sales tax, and other regulatory requirements impacting construction operations
• Supervise, coach, and develop accounting team members
• Develop and deliver construction-focused dashboards and reporting (WIP, backlog, margin fade/gain, labor productivity)
• Analyze job cost reporting to identify cost overruns, margin erosion, or process gaps and drive corrective action
• Support the CFO with strategic initiatives to improve construction profitability and scalability
• Exercise independent judgment in recommending hires, promotions, discipline, and other employment actions for assigned teammates
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• Active CPA license required
• Significant experience in job cost accounting within a self‑perform commercial construction environment
• Demonstrated expertise in percentage‑of‑completion accounting and cost‑to‑complete forecasting
• Experience managing rolling quarterly forecasts tied to backlog and project margins

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of GAAP as applied to commercial construction
• Strong working knowledge of construction operations, including change order management, billing practices, and project lifecycle
• Ability to manage recurring financial processes and complex, project‑based analyses
• Advanced MS Excel skills
• Advanced data analysis and reporting skills (Power BI preferred)
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, particularly when partnering with operational leaders
• Exceptional attention to detail and advanced problem‑solving ability
• Ability to dig into detailed job cost data, identify root causes of variances, and recommend corrective action
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and support operational teams while driving financial accountability

Work Schedule and Travel Requirements

• Full‑time, Monday through Friday (occasional evening or weekend work as needed)
• Occasional travel to regional offices, offsite meetings, and job sites (some overnight travel)
• Valid driver’s license required

Equal Opportunity Employer

ColonialWebb is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.