Controller

Harmer; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus + equity

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Harmer is seeking a senior Controller to establish and lead the accounting function for a fast-growing, PE-backed energy company in Houston. The role reports to the CFO and offers the opportunity to build processes, systems, and an internal team from the ground up to support major capital investments.

You will partner with engineering and operations, oversee GAAP reporting, and drive scalability while guiding finance strategy, controls, and compliance in a lean, high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience within energy, EPC, construction, or project-heavy environments with large-scale capital projects.
• Experience as Assistant Controller, Controller, Director of Accounting, or similar leadership role.
• Hands-on, self-starter experience in a small-company/start-up setting; capable of building the accounting function.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the accounting function, including policies, procedures, controls, reporting, and close activities.
• Manage general ledger, reconciliations, accruals, consolidations, and financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
• Develop scalable project-accounting and project-controls processes for large capital projects.
• Partner with engineering, project management, procurement, operations, and finance for accounting treatment and visibility.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, cash management, audits, and tax compliance.
• Evaluate systems and automate processes; transition outsourced activities to internal function.
• Recruit, develop and lead the accounting team, serving as key partner to CFO and leadership.

Skills

CPA

Energy/Capital projects

U.S. GAAP

ERP systems

Leadership

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA certification

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Harmer has been engaged by our client in their search for a small company / start-up Controller. This newly created leadership role will be a foundational hire for a rapidly growing, private equity-backed company supporting the development of large-scale energy projects. Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will have the opportunity to build the accounting function from the ground up while supporting significant capital investments and the company’s continued growth.

Why You Should Apply

• Newly created Controller role with the opportunity to build and lead the accounting function, including processes, policies, controls, systems, reporting, and the future accounting team
• High-visibility position partnering directly with the CFO and broader executive leadership team
• Join a growing, private equity-backed company supporting large-scale capital projects within the energy sector
• Significant long-term leadership opportunity, with the potential to grow into a Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) role as the organization scales
• 20% target annual bonus + equity participation
• Medical coverage through UnitedHealthcare and a 401(k) with company match

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the accounting function, including policies, procedures, internal controls, financial reporting, and full-cycle close activities
• Manage general ledger accounting, reconciliations, accruals, consolidations, financial statements, management reporting, and supporting schedules in accordance with U.S. GAAP
• Develop scalable project-accounting and project-controls processes, including oversight of project costs, construction in progress, capitalization, fixed assets, commitments, and related reporting
• Partner cross-functionally with engineering, project management, procurement, operations, and finance to ensure appropriate accounting treatment, controls, and financial visibility
• Support budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, cash management, financing activities, audits, tax compliance, and other strategic initiatives
• Evaluate accounting systems and processes, identify opportunities for automation and scalability, and transition outsourced accounting activities into an effective internal function
• Recruit, develop, and lead the accounting team while serving as a key accounting partner to the CFO and executive leadership team

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience within energy, EPC, construction, or another project-intensive environment, including significant experience supporting large-scale capital projects through project accounting and/or project controls
• Previous experience as an Assistant Controller, Controller, Director of Accounting, or comparable accounting leader
• Proven success as a hands-on self-starter in a small-company, start-up, or lean accounting environment, with the ability to work independently, take ownership, perform day-to-day accounting directly, and build the accounting function and processes as the organization grows
• Prior team-management experience, with the ability to recruit, develop, and scale an accounting team as the organization grows
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, close processes, internal controls, and accounting-process improvement
• Experience building or improving accounting policies, controls, systems, and reporting in a growing or entrepreneurial organization; relevant accounting advisory or consulting experience may also be considered
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with a major ERP system