Controller

Ledgent; Fairview (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Ledgent in Oregon is seeking an experienced Controller to own the accounting and finance function for a growing, privately held organization with project-based operations.

This role goes beyond routine accounting—strengthen the foundation, improve financial visibility, and build scalable processes to support the next stage of growth. You will partner with ownership and leadership, balancing strategic discussions with hands-on accounting work.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Experience at Controller/Accounting Manager level.
• Strong understanding of job costing, project accounting, and WIP.
• Experience overseeing full accounting cycle.
• Exposure to multi-state payroll and tax requirements.
• Strong cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.
• Advanced Excel and experience with modern ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll, GL, and month/year-end close.
• Maintain oversight of job costing, project accounting, and WIP reporting.
• Lead and mentor accounting staff; hands-on when needed.
• Improve accuracy and timeliness of financial information.

Skills

Project accounting

Job costing

Financial analysis

Excel

Cash management

Communication to leadership

Multistate payroll

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Privately Held | Growth-Oriented | Project-Based Operations

The Role

CONTROLLER

Privately Held | Growth-Oriented | Project-Based Operations

The Role

A growing, privately held organization is looking for an experienced Controller to take ownership of its accounting and finance function.

This is not a traditional Controller position where you simply step into established processes and maintain the status quo. The company is looking for someone who can strengthen the accounting foundation, improve financial visibility, and help build processes that support the next stage of growth.

The Controller will work closely with ownership and leadership while remaining directly involved in the accounting operation. The right person will be comfortable moving between strategic conversations, financial analysis, and the day-to-day details required to keep the business running smoothly.

What You'll Own

Accounting Operations

• Lead the company's day-to-day accounting and financial reporting activities.
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll, general ledger activity, and monthly and year-end close.
• Maintain oversight of job costing, project financials, and WIP reporting.
• Provide leadership and direction to accounting staff while remaining willing to work hands-on when needed.
• Improve the accuracy, consistency, and timeliness of financial information.

Financial Planning & Business Partnership

• Partner with ownership on budgeting, forecasting, cash planning, and business strategy.
• Develop financial reporting that gives leadership greater visibility into performance and profitability.
• Evaluate significant expenditures, growth initiatives, and other business investments.
• Help leadership understand the financial impact of operational and strategic decisions.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen margins, cash flow, and working capital.

Processes, Controls & Infrastructure

• Evaluate existing accounting procedures and identify areas for improvement.
• Establish scalable financial processes, policies, and internal controls.
• Help create a stronger financial infrastructure as the organization grows.
• Improve reporting and accounting workflows without introducing unnecessary complexity.

Compliance & External Relationships

• Coordinate tax, audit, and year-end activities with outside accounting professionals.
• Oversee financial compliance requirements associated with operating across multiple jurisdictions.
• Maintain banking relationships and support bonding, insurance, licensing, and other financially related business requirements.
• Ensure payroll and tax responsibilities are handled accurately across multiple locations and markets.

What We're Looking For

This opportunity is best suited for an experienced accounting leader who has worked in a project-driven, construction-related, field-service, infrastructure, or similarly complex operating environment.

Successful candidates will bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Prior experience operating at the Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or comparable senior level.
• Strong understanding of job costing, project accounting, and WIP.
• Experience overseeing the complete accounting cycle.
• Exposure to multi-state or multi-jurisdiction payroll and tax requirements.
• Strong cash management, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis capabilities.
• Experience improving accounting procedures, controls, and reporting.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with modern accounting or ERP systems.
• The ability to communicate financial information effectively to non-financial leaders.

What Will Set Someone Apart

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Worked within an owner-led or privately held organization.
• Built or significantly improved an accounting function rather than simply maintaining an established one.
• Supported an organization experiencing meaningful growth or operational change.
• Worked in an equipment, fleet, construction, contracting, or field-based environment.
• Managed a small accounting team while remaining hands-on with the work.
• Experience interacting directly with business owners or executive leadership.
• A CPA or other advanced accounting credential.

The Person

This organization needs someone who is practical, hands-on, and commercially minded.

You should be comfortable digging into an account reconciliation one moment and discussing forecasts, cash needs, or business investments with ownership the next. You don't need a large corporate infrastructure behind you to be effective. Instead, you know how to identify what matters, establish good processes, and provide leaders with reliable financial information they can actually use.

This is an opportunity for someone who enjoys building and improving, wants visibility into the broader business, and is motivated by having a direct impact on an organization's growth.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, age, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, or military or veteran status. We consider all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with state and local laws, including the California Fair Chance Act, City of Los Angeles' Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.