Controller

Vaco; East Haven (CT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Vaco in East Haven, CT is seeking a Controller for a hands-on leadership role in a growing construction company. You will own accounting operations, project cost control, WIP reporting, and financial reporting up to the executive level.

You will collaborate with project managers and estimators, drive month-end closes, and implement stronger controls. Strong GAAP knowledge and construction experience are essential for success.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 5 years in construction or related environments.
• Hands-on expertise with job cost accounting and WIP reporting.
• Experience with percentage-of-completion revenue recognition and ASC 606.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for a construction business.
• Oversee job cost accounting across active projects (labor, materials, subcontractors, overhead).
• Prepare and analyze monthly WIP schedules, including earned revenue and gross profit tracking.
• Manage POC revenue recognition per construction GAAP and ASC 606.
• Partner with project managers on budgets, cost tracking, and profitability reporting.
• Drive month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes and reporting.
• Prepare executive-level reporting including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow, and dashboards.
• Oversee AP/AR processes including retainage tracking and lien waivers.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and banking/line-of-credit reporting.
• Design and improve internal controls and reporting systems; liaise with auditors and tax advisors.

Skills

Job cost accounting

WIP reporting

ASC 606

GAAP

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

CPA or CMA preferred

Tools

Sage 100/300 CRE

Viewpoint Vista

Foundation

Procore Financials

Job description

Controller

Salary: Up to $130k DOE Base + Bonus

Why This Controller Opportunity Stands Out

• Highly visible leadership role reporting directly to the CFO with exposure to ownership and the PE sponsor
• Opportunity to step into a growingcompany where leadership is eager to modernize systems and improve reporting processes
• Hands‑on role with strong influence over project costing, WIP reporting, and operational profitability initiatives
• Ability to partner closely with project managers, estimators, and executive leadership to drive financial performance across active construction projects
• Key role in implementing process improvements and enhancing financial controls within a stable, established organization
• Exposure to private equity-backed operations through reporting collaboration with Northern Lakes Capital
• Strong bonus potential with performance incentives tied to company and individual results
• Direct access to ownership and executive decision‑making with a streamlined interview process

Controller Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls for a construction business
• Oversee job cost accounting across active projects, including labor, materials, subcontractors, equipment, and overhead allocation
• Prepare and analyze monthly WIP schedules, including earned revenue, percent‑complete calculations, over/under billings, and gross profit tracking
• Manage percentage‑of‑completion (POC) revenue recognition in accordance with construction industry GAAP and ASC 606
• Partner with project managers and estimators on project budgets, cost tracking, variance analysis, and profitability reporting
• Drive month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close processes, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting
• Prepare executive‑level reporting including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow reporting, and operational dashboards
• Oversee AP/AR processes including retainage tracking, lien waivers, subcontractor compliance, and certified payroll support
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and banking/line‑of‑credit reporting activities
• Design and improve internal controls, accounting workflows, and reporting systems to support company growth and operational efficiency
• Serve as the primary liaison for external auditors, tax advisors, and compliance requirements

Controller Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 5 years in construction, contracting, or restoration accounting environments
• Proven hands‑on expertise with job cost accounting, WIP reporting, and percentage‑of‑completion revenue recognition
• Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience strongly preferred
• Strong background partnering with operations and project management teams in a fast‑paced construction environment
• Experience improving systems, implementing process changes, and operating in a hands‑on accounting leadership role
• Proficiency with construction accounting software such as Sage 100/300 CRE, Viewpoint Vista, Foundation, Procore Financials, or similar platforms
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and financial analysis/modeling
• Strong understanding of construction GAAP, ASC 606, and long‑term contract accounting
• CPA or CMA preferred but not required
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required

Additional Details

• Fully onsite role based in East Haven, CT
• Current accounting responsibilities are being handled by the CFO and existing bookkeeper due to increasing workload demands
• Leadership is specifically seeking a hands‑on individual contributor who can improve systems and processes rather than a purely high‑level manager
• Interview process includes an initial Teams meeting with the CFO followed by an onsite meeting with company ownership

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.

EEO Notice

Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal.

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada: Based on Highspring's discussions with its Client, Highspring's understanding is that this position for employment is a current vacancy (either through Highspring as a contractor or with the client directly).

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here.
• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here.
• Residents of all other states may access our policies here.
• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here.
• Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here.

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here (https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

• the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
• licensure and certification requirements;
• office location and other geographic considerations;
• other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.