Controller

The Quest Organization; New Jersey; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Quest Organization in New Jersey seeks a seasoned Controller to lead accounting operations for its Construction and Service divisions. The role demands deep experience with percentage-of-completion, WIP, AIA billing, and project profitability, plus strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

You will oversee AR/AP, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, internal controls, and financial reporting, ensuring GAAP compliance and system integrity across Sage 300 CRE, ServiceTrade, Procore,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3–5+ years as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior construction-accounting leader.
• Strong construction accounting experience, including percentage-of-completion, WIP, job costing, AIA billing, retainage, change orders, and cost-to-complete forecasting.
• Strong knowledge of AR, AP, purchasing, inventory, payroll, cash management, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel and financial-reporting skills.
• Proven experience leading, supervising, and developing accounting teams.
• CPA or CMA preferred.
• Experience in fire protection, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, specialty contracting, or commercial construction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations, month-end close, financial reporting, and GAAP-compliant accounting for Construction and Service divisions.
• Manage construction accounting, including percentage-of-completion, WIP reporting, job costing, cost-to-complete forecasting, AIA billing, change orders, retainage, and project profitability.
• Oversee Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, purchasing controls, inventory accounting, payroll, and collections.
• Prepare and manage 13-week cash-flow forecasts, daily cash reporting, banking activity, debt, and working-capital management.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and departmental reporting.
• Establish and enforce strong internal controls, accounting policies, compliance procedures, and fraud-prevention measures.
• Supervise, develop, and hold the accounting team accountable while partnering with Project Management, Estimating, Purchasing, Warehouse, Service Operations, HR, and executive leadership.
• Oversee financial systems, including Sage 300 CRE, ServiceTrade, Procore, Paylocity, Microsoft 365, and Excel, and improve system integration and reporting accuracy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Team management

GAAP knowledge

Education

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

Tools

Sage 300 CRE

ServiceTrade

Procore

Paylocity

Microsoft 365

Excel

Job description

• Lead accounting operations, month-end close, financial reporting, and GAAP-compliant accounting for the company’s Construction and Service divisions.
• Manage construction accounting, including percentage-of-completion, WIP reporting, job costing, cost-to-complete forecasting, AIA billing, change orders, retainage, and project profitability.
• Oversee Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, purchasing controls, inventory accounting, payroll, and collections.
• Prepare and manage 13-week cash-flow forecasts, daily cash reporting, banking activity, debt, and working-capital management.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and departmental reporting.
• Establish and enforce strong internal controls, accounting policies, compliance procedures, and fraud-prevention measures.
• Supervise, develop, and hold the accounting team accountable while partnering closely with Project Management, Estimating, Purchasing, Warehouse, Service Operations, HR, and executive leadership.
• Oversee financial systems, including Sage 300 CRE, ServiceTrade, Procore, Paylocity, Microsoft 365, and Excel, and improve system integration and reporting accuracy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3–5+ years as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior construction-accounting leader.
• Strong construction accounting experience, including percentage-of-completion, WIP, job costing, AIA billing, retainage, change orders, and cost-to-complete forecasting.
• Strong knowledge of AR, AP, purchasing, inventory, payroll, cash management, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel and financial-reporting skills.
• Proven experience leading, supervising, and developing accounting teams.
• Strong analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills with the ability to enforce controls and drive accountability.
• Sage 300 CRE experience is mandatory; ServiceTrade, Procore, and Paylocity experience preferred.
• CPA or CMA preferred.
• Experience in fire protection, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, specialty contracting, or commercial construction preferred.