Controller

Adecco Permanent Recruitment; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Adecco Permanent Recruitment seeks a hands-on Controller to lead accounting and financial operations for a growing project-based service organization with $25M–$50M in revenue. You will partner with executive leadership to provide financial insight, strengthen controls, and support strategic decision-making.

Responsibilities include overseeing GL, AP, AR, and reporting; preparing statements; WIP and revenue recognition; and mentoring a small accounting team.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Controller or senior-level accounting leader.
• Strong understanding of financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow).
• Experience managing month-end close and supervising staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting operations including GL, AP, AR, and financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Ensure accuracy and integrity of financial records, systems, and processes.
• Analyze financial performance and communicate trends, risks, and opportunities to leadership.
• Partner with leadership to develop operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and capital strategies.
• Monitor performance against plans and recommend corrective actions.
• Lead project-based accounting activities, WIP reporting, and revenue recognition.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and coordinate tax compliance and audits.
• Lead and mentor a small accounting team, conducting performance reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Month-end close

Internal controls

Communication

Supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business/Economics

Tools

SAP

Sage 500

Excel

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on Controller to lead the accounting and financial operations of a growing project-based service organization with annual revenues between $25M and $50M. This is a key leadership position that partners directly with executive leadership to provide financial insight, maintain operational stability, strengthen internal controls, and support sound business decision-making.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative finance leader who thrives in a small to mid-sized company environment, enjoys wearing multiple hats, and can balance strategic financial oversight with day-to-day accounting responsibilities.

What You'll Do

As Controller, you will serve as the financial leader for the organization, overseeing accounting operations while providing critical business insights to support company performance.

• Lead all accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial records, systems, and processes.
• Analyze financial performance and communicate key trends, risks, and opportunities to leadership.

Business Partnership & Planning

• Partner with company leadership to develop operating plans, budgets, forecasts, and capital investment strategies.
• Monitor company performance against financial plans and recommend corrective actions when needed.
• Support strategic decision-making through financial analysis and business insights.
• Assist with long-range financial planning and cash management initiatives.

Project Accounting & Operational Finance

• Manage accounting activities within a project-based service environment.
• Oversee work-in-progress (WIP) reporting and revenue recognition.
• Monitor project profitability, labor utilization, cost tracking, and margins.
• Ensure accurate reporting of costs related to labor, materials, and service activities.

Controls, Compliance & Risk Management

• Develop and maintain strong internal controls and accounting policies.
• Oversee tax compliance and coordinate reporting requirements.
• Support annual audits and act as a primary liaison with external auditors and advisors.
• Safeguard company assets through sound financial controls and risk management practices.
• Lead and mentor a small accounting team, including direct supervision of accounting staff.
• Conduct performance reviews and support employee development.
• Foster a collaborative and accountable team environment.

What You'll Need

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Economics, or a related field.
• 5+ years of experience as a Controller or senior-level accounting leader.
• Strong understanding of financial statements, including P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow reporting.
• Experience managing month-end and year-end close processes.
• Demonstrated leadership experience supervising accounting or finance staff.
• Experience working in a small to mid-sized organization where you are directly involved in day-to-day accounting operations.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA, MBA, MAcc, CFA, CTP, or FP&A certification.
• Experience in a project-based service, industrial services, equipment, machinery, manufacturing, construction, field services, or capital equipment environment.
• Strong understanding of:
• Work-in-progress (WIP) accounting
• Job costing
• Revenue recognition
• Labor and material cost tracking
• Project profitability analysis
• Experience with SAP (highly preferred).
• Experience with Sage 500 (preferred).
• Experience managing cash flow, budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls.

We're looking for someone who:

• Enjoys being a trusted advisor to leadership
• Can stabilize and strengthen financial processes
• Is comfortable rolling up their sleeves when needed
• Has experience leading small teams
• Thrives in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment

Why This Opportunity?

• Direct partnership with executive leadership.
• High visibility and influence across the organization.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a stable, growing business.
• Leadership role with both strategic and operational responsibilities.
• Small-company environment where your contributions are recognized and valued.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.adeccousa.com/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records