Controller

Bluebird Staffing; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Bluebird Staffing seeks an experienced Controller to lead our accounting and financial reporting efforts for an engineering, landscape architecture, and surveying consulting practice. You will oversee the general ledger, billing, and project accounting, while shaping budgeting, cash flow, and internal controls.

The role partners with executives on strategic growth and multi-entity reporting. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years in progressive accounting leadership, preferably in professional

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.
• Experience as Controller, Assistant Controller, or Accounting Manager.
• AEC industry experience strongly preferred.
• Understanding of project-based accounting, percentage-of-completion and T&M reporting and billing.
• Experience managing annual audits and complex financial reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting and financial reporting functions for the firm.
• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and project accounting (including billing) activities.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements and performance analyses.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial reporting processes.
• Monitor project profitability, overhead rates, utilization, and key performance indicators.
• Develop and maintain financial controls, policies, and procedures.
• Understanding of tax implications for LLC’s.
• Manage relationship with independent CPA firm, including coordination of annual financial statement review, FAR Part 31 overhead audit, tax filings, and compliance activities.
• Manage banking relationships.
• Partner with executive leadership to support strategic planning and business growth initiatives.
• Supervise and mentor accounting and finance staff.
• Support system optimization and financial process improvements.

Skills

Accounting leadership

Financial analysis

Communication

Organizational skills

Strategic partnership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Deltek Vision

Unanet A/E

Excel

Pivot tables

Job description

Seeking an experienced Controller to join our growing Engineering, Landscape Architecture and Surveying consulting firm. This leadership position is responsible for overseeing the firm’s accounting operations, financial reporting, project accounting, budgeting, cash flow management, tax support and internal controls while serving as a strategic partner to executive leadership.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong background in professional services accounting, preferably within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, and possess a thorough understanding of project-based financial management, revenue recognition, utilization metrics, and a company with multi-service operations and multi-entity reporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting and financial reporting functions for the firm.
• Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, and project accounting (including billing) activities.
• Prepare monthly and annual financial statements and performance analyses.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, cash flow planning, and financial reporting processes.
• Monitor project profitability, overhead rates, utilization, and key performance indicators.
• Develop and maintain financial controls, policies, and procedures.
• Understanding of tax implications for LLC’s.
• Manage relationship with independent CPA firm, including coordination of annual financial statement review, FAR Part 31 overhead audit, tax filings, and compliance activities.
• Manage banking relationships.
• Partner with executive leadership to support strategic planning and business growth initiatives.
• Supervise and mentor accounting and finance staff.
• Support system optimization and financial process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting and financial management experience.
• Prior experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or Accounting Manager.
• A/E industry experience strongly preferred.
• Thorough understanding of project-based accounting, percentage-of-completion and T&M reporting and billing, and professional services financial management.
• Experience managing annual audits and complex financial reporting requirements.
• Strong analytical, leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

Preferred Software Experience

• Deltek Vision experience preferred.
• Experience with Unanet A/E is a strong plus, as the firm is migrating from Vision to Unanet A/E.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools (lookups, pivot tables, etc).
• Experience with financial system conversions and process automation is desirable.