Controller

Search Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

401(k) with match

Paid time off

Job summary

Search Services in Houston seeks an experienced Controller to lead all accounting and financial reporting for construction and real estate development projects. The role combines hands-on leadership with deep technical expertise in job costing, percentage-of-completion, and consolidation across multiple entities, including joint ventures.

You will partner with Construction, Development, Asset Management and executive teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience with leadership roles.
• Deep knowledge of construction accounting and project cost management.
• Experience with GAAP, controls, and financial reporting in real estate/construction.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including consolidation for entities and joint ventures.
• Lead job cost reporting, % of completion, WIP, and project profitability analysis.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and accurate tax reporting for real estate/dev projects.
• Drive budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Manage AP/AR, cash management, and banking relations.
• Oversee GL close, reconciliations, and audits.
• Support due diligence for new projects and financing.
• Implement and optimize accounting systems and processes.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

GAAP knowledge

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

QuickBooks Foundation

Excel

Job description

Our client is a growing construction and real estate development company located in West Houston. The company is involved in commercial real estate development and construction projects and operates in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced and strategic Controller to join our client’s leadership team. The Controller will oversee all aspects of the company’s accounting and financial reporting, with a strong emphasis on accounting for construction and real estate development.

This is a hands-on leadership role that requires deep technical expertise, strong knowledge of construction accounting, attention to detail, and the ability to provide clear financial insights to support executive decision-making. The ideal candidate will have significant commercial construction accounting experience and be comfortable working closely with Construction, Development, Asset Management, and Executive teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation and accuracy of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, including consolidated reporting for multiple entities and joint ventures.
• Manage project accounting, including job cost reporting, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, WIP schedules, and project profitability analysis.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP, tax regulations, and industry-specific accounting standards for real estate development and construction.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash management, and banking relationships.
• Manage the general ledger, month-end and year-end close processes, and financial reconciliations.
• Coordinate external audits, tax filings, and lender reporting.
• Develop and maintain internal controls and accounting policies.
• Provide financial analysis and reporting to the CFO, CEO, and project executives, including variance analysis, cash flow forecasting, and KPIs.
• Supervise and mentor the accounting team.
• Support due diligence for new project acquisitions, joint ventures, and financing transactions.
• Implement and optimize accounting systems and processes, including Foundation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 4 years in a Controller or Senior Accounting Manager role.
• Significant commercial construction accounting experience required.
• Strong knowledge of percentage-of-completion, job costing, change orders, and retainage.
• Experience with multi-entity structures and joint ventures.
• Proficiency with QuickBooks/Foundation and advanced Excel skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to collaborate across Construction, Development, Asset Management, and Executive teams.
• High level of integrity, attention to detail, and ability to thrive in a deadline-driven environment.

What We Offer

• Competitive base salary + performance bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Opportunity to work on high-profile commercial real estate projects
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial company culture