Controller

Ghj; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Job summary

GHJ, an ESOP-owned specialty construction firm, seeks an experienced Controller to lead accounting operations, improve project costing, and enhance financial reporting in Los Angeles. You will partner with operational leadership, drive the monthly close transition, and guide the Accounting Manager while implementing new systems.

The role emphasizes labor costs, overhead allocation, and profitability analysis, with a hands-on leadership style and collaboration with a Fractional CFO.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including financial reporting and accounting operations leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

GAAP knowledge

Financial reporting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

ERP systems

Accounting software

Excel

Job description

GHJ Search and Staffing serves as the recruitment division of GHJ, a prominent national accounting and advisory firm. Our team provides qualified Accounting and Finance professionals on a temporary and permanent basis across a broad range of industries. GHJ’s relationship with our Global Advisory and Accounting Network provides the resources needed to better understand client’s needs, attract a higher caliber of candidates and assess candidate potential.

An established, employee-owned specialty construction company is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting operations and help strengthen financial reporting, job costing, and project profitability analysis. This is a high-impact opportunity for a hands-on finance leader who enjoys improving processes, implementing new systems, and turning financial data into actionable insights that directly influence business performance.

Reporting to the company's Fractional CFO, the Controller will oversee accounting operations and partner closely with operational leadership to improve visibility into labor costs, overhead, inventory, and project margins. The role will also lead the transition from quarterly to monthly financial close, support the implementation of new accounting software, and supervise an Accounting Manager.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Lead the transition from quarterly to monthly close, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements.
• Manage construction job costing, WIP reporting, cost-to-complete estimates, and percentage-of-completion accounting.
• Analyze project profitability, labor costs, and margins to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain fully burdened labor rates for engineering, shop, and field operations.
• Evaluate overhead coverage and provide financial insights to support project bidding, pricing, and operational decisions.
• Oversee inventory accounting, valuation, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Partner with project managers and estimators to improve cost tracking and project financial performance.
• Support the implementation of new accounting software and improvements to financial reporting processes.
• Supervise and develop the Accounting Manager while supporting organizational change and process improvements.
• Collaborate with the Fractional CFO on financial analysis, reporting, and ESOP-related accounting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including financial reporting and accounting operations leadership.
• Construction accounting experience required, preferably in commercial construction or specialty contracting.
• Strong expertise in job costing, WIP reporting, and project profitability analysis.
• Hands-on experience with inventory accounting, labor burden rates, and overhead allocation.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, revenue recognition, and financial close processes.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with accounting or ERP systems.
• Experience implementing new accounting systems, improving processes, or leading operational changes.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to explain financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders.
• CPA preferred; experience in fire protection, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical contracting is a plus.

Why Join?

• Employee-Owned Company: Join an established, ESOP-owned business with a strong presence in the specialty construction industry.
• Meaningful Business Impact: Help leadership understand project profitability, labor costs, and where operational improvements can drive stronger margins.
• Financially Established Organization: Join a profitable business with a substantial project backlog and continued opportunities for growth.
• Opportunity to Modernize: Lead improvements to financial reporting, accounting systems, job costing, and operational processes.
• Collaborative Leadership: Work directly with an experienced Fractional CFO and partner with operations to support better financial decision-making.
• Broad Ownership: Take on a leadership role that combines hands-on accounting, team development, systems implementation, and strategic financial analysis.

$180,000 - $200,000 a year

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