Construction Controller: Drive Project Profitability

Confidential; Libertyville (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the company’s accounting and financial operations for its construction projects. This hands-on leadership role focuses on project-driven finance, profitability, cash flow, and close collaboration with operations and project leadership.

The ideal candidate has substantial construction accounting experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering accurate financial statements, tight budgets, and insightful job-cost reporting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Significant accounting experience within the construction industry is required.
• Demonstrated experience with project-based / job-cost accounting is required.
• Strong understanding of construction financial reporting, including WIP, percentage of completion, job costing, and project profitability.
• Previous Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or similar leadership experience.
• Strong knowledge of month-end close, financial statements, reconciliations, and general ledger accounting.
• Experience managing and analyzing project budgets, costs, forecasts, and financial performance.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with accounting/ERP systems.
• Ability to partner effectively with project managers, operations teams, and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to operate effectively in a growing organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day accounting and financial operations for the organization.
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and year-end close processes and financial reporting.
• Manage the general ledger, AP, AR, payroll, reconciliations, and cash management.
• Oversee project-based accounting and financial reporting across multiple active construction projects.
• Monitor project budgets, costs, committed costs, billings, collections, and profitability.
• Partner with project managers and operational leadership to understand project performance and identify financial risks.
• Analyze job cost reports and investigate variances between budget, actual costs, and projected costs.
• Oversee WIP reporting, percentage-of-completion accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Review project forecasts and provide insight into expected margins and profitability.
• Support project billing, change orders, retainage, and other construction-specific accounting processes.
• Prepare financial statements and management reporting for company leadership.
• Develop and monitor budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Establish and strengthen accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, and financial reporting obligations.
• Work closely with external CPAs, banking partners, insurance providers, and other external stakeholders.
• Provide financial guidance and analysis to senior leadership to support business decisions.
• Lead, develop, and mentor the accounting team.

Skills

Construction accounting

Job-cost accounting

Leadership

ERP systems

Excel

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Confidential is seeking an experienced Controller to lead the company’s accounting and financial operations for its construction projects. This hands-on leadership role focuses on project-driven finance, profitability, cash flow, and close collaboration with operations and project leadership.

The ideal candidate has substantial construction accounting experience, strong leadership, and a track record of delivering accurate financial statements, tight budgets, and insightful job-cost reporting