Controller

Thorough-Staff LLC; Greenville (SC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Thorough-Staff LLC in Greenville, SC seeks a Controller with deep experience in project-based professional services accounting. You will oversee accounting staff, ensure timely deliverables, and partner with engineering operations to boost project financial visibility and informed business decisions.

You will lead financial reporting, project accounting analyses, budgeting, and billing while driving process improvements and staff coaching.

Qualifications

• Experience with project-based professional services accounting including WIP and project profitability.
• Ability to interpret project financial data for non-financial leaders.
• Solid knowledge of revenue recognition, payroll, AR/AP and general ledger.

Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting and General Accounting
• Engineering Project Accounting and Analysis
• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Operational Support
• Billing, Receivables, Cash Management, and Payroll Support
• Accounting systems and Process Improvement
• Functional Oversight and Work Coordination

Skills

Project-based accounting

Revenue recognition

Labor costing

Billing

GAAP knowledge

Excel

ERP software

Staff coaching

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance/Business

7+ years accounting experience

CPA/CMA preferred

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP software

Project-management software

Job description

Greenville client seeks a Controller with a strong understanding of project-based professional services accounting, including labor utilization, project profitability, revenue recognition, backlog, contract terms, subconsultant costs, overhead, and work-in-progress. The Controller works closely with engineering operations to improve project financial visibility and support sound business decisions.

This position provides functional oversight, work direction, and quality review for assigned accounting staff, shared-service partners, and outside vendors. The Controller is expected to personally complete key accounting deliverables, establish priorities, monitor deadlines, and ensure work is accurate and complete.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Financial Reporting and General Accounting
• Engineering Project Accounting and Analysis
• Budgeting, Forecasting, and Operational Support
• Billing, Receivables, Cash Management, and Payroll Support
• Accounting systems and Process Improvement
• Functional Oversight and Work Coordination

REQUIREMENTS

• Working knowledge of project-based professional services or engineering accounting.
• Ability to interpret project financial data and explain it clearly to non-financial leaders.
• Knowledge of revenue recognition, work-in-progress, labor costing, billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger accounting.
• Ability to independently perform detailed accounting work while also coordinating the work of others.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely, and complete deliverables.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and changing priorities with limited supervision.
• Ability to establish clear expectations, review work, and provide practical coaching to staff.
• Continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to strengthen processes, controls, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across engineering, operations, and finance.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and accept feedback and constructive criticism.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience required.
• Engineering, architecture, construction consulting, or other project-based professional services accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with project accounting, revenue recognition, WIP, billing, and project profitability analysis strongly preferred.
• Experience providing work direction or supervision to accounting staff preferred.
• Experience with audits, financial statement preparation, tax coordination, and multistate reporting preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, financial statements, and federal and state accounting requirements required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with accounting, ERP, or project-management software required.
• CPA or CMA certification preferred but not required.