Controller

Fireline Sprinkler LLC; Appleton (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Fireline Sprinkler LLC in Appleton, Wisconsin, is seeking a dynamic Controller to join their leadership team. This role involves overseeing the company’s financial operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enhancing financial controls. The ideal candidate will have over 10 years of experience in finance, preferably in the construction sector, and a CPA or CMA designation.

Responsibilities include managing cash flow, strategic financial planning, and leading the accounting team. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence and shape financial strategy in a reputable growing company.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, especially in construction.
• CPA or CMA designation strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage effective teams.

Responsibilities

• Oversee strategic financial operations and ensure reporting accuracy.
• Manage company cash flow and develop forecasts.
• Lead accounting functions for compliance and optimize financial controls.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Strategy

Analytical Skills

Communication

ERP Systems

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration

Master’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Foundation ERP

Job description

Fireline Sprinkler, LLC is a full-service fire protection contractor specializing in the design, fabrication, installation, and maintenance of commercial fire sprinkler systems. Our mission statement reflects our purpose: "Your Life Safety is Our Life's Work."

We are looking to hire a dynamic Controller who will serve as a key member of the leadership team, be responsible for the strategic oversight and integrity of the company's financial operations. This role ensures the accuracy of financial reporting, compliance with regulatory requirements, and the development of effective financial controls to support organizational growth.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

Financial Strategy & Executive Leadership

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the President and leadership team on financial, operational, and growth initiatives. Evaluate business performance profitability, and return on investment of strategic initiatives.
• Participate in annual strategic planning & long-range forecasting.
• Provide strategic leadership and oversight of all accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and general ledger activities.

Construction Industry Financial Management

• Oversee project accounting and job cost reporting.
• Review contract profitability, work-in-progress (WIP) schedules, and earned revenue calculations.
• Monitor project underbilling, overbilling, backlog, and gross margin trends.
• Partner with operations to identify and address project financial risks and opportunities.
• Ensure accurate percentage-of-completion accounting and revenue recognition.
• Serve as the primary liaison with external auditors, coordinate audit activities and ensure accurate and timely completion of annual audits.
• Provide oversight of payroll operations for union and non-union employees.

Cash Flow & Treasury Management

• Manage company cash flow, banking relationships, and liquidity planning.
• Develop and maintain rolling cash flow forecasts.
• Oversee borrowing facilities, lines of credit, and covenant compliance.
• Optimize working capital through management of receivables, payables, and inventory.

ERP & Systems Ownership

• Serve as executive owner of Foundation ERP financial processes.
• Lead implementation and optimization of accounting and financial reporting technologies.
• Develop dashboards and reporting tools for operational and financial decision-making.
• Ensure data integrity and reporting accuracy across company systems.

Leadership of AR, Credit & Collections

• Establish and monitor company-wide credit and collection policies.
• Review aging reports and collection performance metrics.
• Partner with project and service leaders to improve cash collections.
• Lead initiatives to reduce bad debt exposure and DSO.

Tax & Multi-State Compliance

• Oversee sales and use tax compliance across all operating states.
• Manage annual property tax filings and business registrations.
• Coordinate tax planning initiatives with outside advisors.
• Oversee financial reporting requirements.

Talent Development

• Recruit, develop, mentor, and retain accounting and finance personnel.
• Establish department KPIs and performance expectations.
• Build succession plans for key finance positions.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 + years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership responsibilities, with a strong preference for experience in construction-based accounting environments.
• Certified Public Accountant or Certified Management Accountant designation strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a track record of building and managing high-performing teams.
• Advanced proficiency in accounting systems, ERP platforms, payroll, and tax preparation software.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to translate financial data into strategic insights.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels of the organization.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel.
• Proficient in accounting, payroll, and tax preparation software.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required; master’s degree preferred.

Fireline Sprinkler is an equal opportunity employer