Controller

Judge Direct Placement; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Judge Direct Placement seeks an experienced Controller to lead financial and accounting operations for a growing construction organization handling public works, education, and infrastructure projects.

The role partners with project management and executive leadership to ensure accurate financial reporting and provide project-level insights to improve profitability, cash flow, and growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 4+ years of Controller-level experience, with construction experience preferred.
• Experience with public works, education or government-funded projects is strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with AIA/Progress billing, retention, pay applications, and lien management.
• Experience with Sage 100 Contractor is required.
• Advanced Excel skills including PivotTables and XLOOKUP.

Responsibilities

• Oversee AP, AR, payroll, GL, and job cost accounting on a daily basis.
• Produce monthly, semi-annual, and annual GAAP financial statements.
• Analyze WIP schedules, job costs, forecasts, and profitability reports.
• Collaborate with project managers to monitor costs, revenue, margins, and FP&A metrics.
• Manage AIA progress billing, pay apps, retention, and change orders.
• Ensure subcontractor compliance with COIs, W-9s, and lien waivers.
• Oversee union and certified payroll requirements for public works projects.
• Forecast cash flow and manage working capital and vendor payments.
• Support audits, tax prep, bonding, and lender reporting.

Skills

Financial analysis

GAAP reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Sage 100 Contractor

Excel (PivotTables, XLOOKUP)

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the financial and accounting functions of a growing construction organization specializing in public works, education, civil, and infrastructure projects.

This is a highly visible leadership position that will partner closely with project management, operations, and executive leadership. The Controller will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting while providing the project-level financial insight needed to improve profitability, manage cash flow, and support continued growth.

The ideal candidate brings a strong background in construction accounting, including job costing, WIP reporting, percentage-of-completion accounting, AIA billing, certified payroll, and public works or government-funded projects.

Ket Responsibilities:

• Lead the day-to-day accounting function, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, general ledger, and job cost accounting.
• Prepare accurate and timely monthly, semi-annual, and annual financial statements in accordance with GAAP and company standards.
• Prepare and analyze WIP schedules, job cost reports, project forecasts, and profitability reports.
• Partner with project managers and operations leaders to monitor project costs, revenue, margins, and financial performance.
• Manage construction billing activities, including AIA progress billing, pay applications, retention, and change orders.
• Oversee subcontractor documentation and compliance, including certificates of insurance, W-9s, and lien waivers.
• Manage union and certified payroll requirements applicable to public works and government projects.
• Oversee cash flow forecasting, working capital, collections, and the timing of vendor and subcontractor payments.
• Support external audits, tax preparation, bonding requirements, lender reporting, and other financial compliance activities.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls designed to safeguard company assets.

Key Qualifications/Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 4+ years of Controller-level experience, including at least 4 years within construction, civil construction, heavy industrial, or a closely related industry.
• Experience with public works, education, infrastructure, municipal, or government-funded construction projects strongly preferred.
• Hands-on experience with AIA billing, progress billing, retention, pay applications, and lien
• Experience with Sage 100 Contractor required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including PivotTables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and financial analysis.