Controller

Ascentria Search Partners; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Ascentria Search Partners is seeking a hands‑on Controller to own the accounting and finance function for a growing construction and field services company. You will lead the monthly close, GAAP reporting, and internal controls while partnering with the CEO and operations to drive profitability.

The role focuses on team development, system enhancements, and meaningful financial insights. On‑site work in the Albany/Capital Region is required as the business expands.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive accounting experience.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, month‑end close, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Experience leading or developing accounting staff and implementing process improvements.
• Ability to own budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting or ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and financial statement preparation.
• Establish a consistent monthly close process, targeting completion within ten business days.
• Ensure accurate GAAP financial reporting, timely reconciliations, and effective internal controls.
• Prepare monthly management reporting with clear explanations of financial results, performance trends, and budget variances.
• Oversee project accounting, job costing, work‑in‑progress reporting, revenue recognition, and project profitability analysis.
• Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting in partnership with the CEO and operational leaders.
• Build cash flow forecasts and improve working capital management, including receivables, payables, and retainage.
• Translate financial and operating data into recommendations that support profitability and growth.
• Support leadership, board, and lender reporting, including debt covenant calculations and monitoring.
• Develop the accounting team, clarify responsibilities, and establish repeatable procedures.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and strengthen reporting.
• Evaluate and enhance accounting systems, reporting tools, and automation.
• Partner with operations on payroll‑related processes, including union reporting, certified payroll, and benefit remittances.
• Support acquisition accounting and integration as the business expands.
• Coordinate with external accounting, audit, tax, and other professional advisers.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Month-end close

Internal controls

Advanced Excel

Staff development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Ascentria Search Partners is conducting a search for a Controller on behalf of an established, growing company in the construction and field services sector.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of the accounting and finance function, strengthen processes, and become a trusted financial partner to the CEO. The company is investing in its people, systems, and infrastructure to support continued expansion.

We are seeking a hands‑on accounting leader who combines strong technical knowledge with practical business judgment. Someone who enjoys improving how work gets done, developing a team, and turning financial information into useful operating insights will thrive in this role.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Controller will oversee day‑to‑day accounting while building the reporting, forecasting, and financial controls needed for a growing business. The role offers meaningful influence over systems, team development, and operational decision‑making.

The incoming Controller will receive transition support from experienced finance professionals and will work closely with a knowledgeable, longstanding operating team. Success will require a collaborative approach to change, respect for institutional knowledge, and the ability to establish clear responsibilities and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting and Financial Reporting

• Lead accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll accounting, and financial statement preparation.
• Establish a consistent monthly close process, targeting completion within ten business days.
• Ensure accurate GAAP financial reporting, timely reconciliations, and effective internal controls.
• Prepare monthly management reporting with clear explanations of financial results, performance trends, and budget variances.
• Oversee project accounting, job costing, work‑in‑progress reporting, revenue recognition, and project profitability analysis.

Planning and Business Partnership

• Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting in partnership with the CEO and operational leaders.
• Build cash flow forecasts and improve working capital management, including receivables, payables, and retainage.
• Translate financial and operating data into recommendations that support profitability and growth.
• Support leadership, board, and lender reporting, including debt covenant calculations and monitoring.

Team, Systems, and Process Improvement

• Develop the accounting team, clarify responsibilities, and establish repeatable procedures.
• Identify opportunities to reduce manual work, improve accuracy, and strengthen reporting.
• Evaluate and enhance accounting systems, reporting tools, and automation.
• Partner with operations on payroll‑related processes, including union reporting, certified payroll, and benefit remittances.
• Support acquisition accounting and integration as the business expands.
• Coordinate with external accounting, audit, tax, and other professional advisers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
• At least seven years of progressive experience in public accounting, corporate accounting, or a combination of both.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, month‑end close, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Experience leading or developing accounting staff and implementing process improvements.
• Ability to own budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow analysis.
• Advanced Excel skills and proficiency with accounting or ERP systems.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with both financial and operational stakeholders.
• Willingness to work on‑site in the Albany / Capital Region.

Experience that would be especially valuable:

• CPA designation and prior Controller or Accounting Manager experience.
• Public accounting experience with exposure to multiple industries.
• Construction, contracting, or other project‑based accounting experience.
• Familiarity with union payroll, certified payroll, prevailing wage, or union benefit reporting.
• Experience in a growing middle‑market or private equity‑backed business.
• Accounting system improvements, implementations, or acquisition integration.
• Thoughtful use of automation and AI tools, supported by appropriate review and controls.

Direct industry experience is helpful; strong accounting fundamentals, adaptability, and demonstrated success improving a finance function are central to this search.

What Success Looks Like

During the first year, the Controller will establish dependable monthly reporting, strengthen team ownership and controls, improve visibility into project profitability and cash flow, and create a consistent budgeting and forecasting cadence.