Controller

Maher Services, Inc; North Reading (MA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

Maher Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced Controller to lead day-to-day accounting and financial reporting. Reporting to the Co-CEO, the Controller will oversee close, accounting operations, payroll oversight, and audit coordination while driving process improvements that scale with growth.

The role emphasizes strategic partnership with leadership, accurate financials, and robust controls to enable confident decision-making and sustainable expansion.

Qualifications

• Controller experience with direct responsibility for a company’s accounting function.
• Strong ability to own the monthly close, general ledger, financial statements, AR/AP, and related processes.
• Proactive, energetic, initiative-taking with process improvement mindset.
• Clear judgment in decision-making and issue resolution.
• Leadership and development of team, with professional communication across stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close and deliver accurate financial statements within 6 days of month-end.
• Manage AR, AP, and cash, including aging, collections, retainage, invoicing, and vendor issues.
• Maintain integrity of the general ledger and ensure timely reporting for management, lenders, investors, and Board.
• Build annual budget and rolling forecasts in partnership with Co-CEO.
• Establish and maintain KPIs for financial and operational performance.
• Identify and implement process improvements in accounting controls and reporting.
• Directly manage bookkeeper, oversee payroll-related and financial administration.
• Lead the external audit and coordinate with auditors and advisors.
• Support M&A due diligence, balance sheet work, and post-acquisition integration.

Skills

Controller experience

Strong accounting foundation

Leadership and communication

Energy and initiative

Sound judgment

Job description

Maher Services is a rapidly growing New England water services company providing well & pump services, environmental services, and water treatment. We are building a professional, scalable organization while maintaining the responsiveness and customer focus of a long-established (1941) local business.

As we continue to grow organically and through acquisitions, we are investing in stronger financial processes, reporting, and infrastructure to support the next stage of the company.

Why Join Maher

• A Growing, Acquisitive Platform: Maher Services was acquired in 2025 by two entrepreneurs with institutional backing. Since then, net profit has grown 50%, including a second acquisition in June. We are pursuing an acquisition strategy and are looking for a finance leader to partner and scale with us.
• A Real Seat at the Table: Finance is a thought partner to the Co-CEOs on forecasting, operational KPIs, and job-level margin visibility, not a back-office function.
• At the Center of Our Growth Strategy: Finance leads diligence, evaluates targets, and runs post-close integration.
• Part of How We Win Deals: For many owners considering an exit or succession, back office finance is a major pain point. Stronger systems, visibility, and support are a core part of what we offer them, and you will build that.
• A Clear Path Up: The role is designed to grow with the company, from Controller to Director of Finance or CFO.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced Controller to lead the day-to-day accounting and financial reporting function. Reporting directly to Laurent Firlotte, Co-CEO, the Controller will own the monthly close, financial reporting, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash administration, payroll oversight, audit coordination, and the accounting processes that support the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role for someone who is comfortable operating independently, managing details while maintaining perspective on the broader business, and continuously improving the processes around them. Success means the accounting function operates accurately and predictably, issues are resolved with sound judgment, and the Co-CEO can spend progressively less time managing routine finance activities.

• Reports to: Laurent Firlotte, Co-CEO
• Work arrangement: In Person/Hybrid
• Compensation: $150,000 to $185,000 annually, based on experience. Opportunity for 5-25% bonus.

What Success Looks Like

• Faster Close: Reduce the monthly close from 11 days to 6.
• WIP Reporting: Establish WIP and percentage of completion reporting for the business.
• AR and Collections: Own AR and AP end to end, holding Net 30 DSO at or below 32 days.
• M&A Support: Lead financial diligence and integration of acquisitions.

What You’ll Do

• Financial Reporting and Close: Own the monthly close and deliver accurate financial statements within 6 days of month-end. Maintain appropriate accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules, and build out WIP reporting and percentage of completion accounting for longer‑duration projects.
• Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, and Cash: Own AR, AP, and cash administration, including aging and collections, retainage, invoice coding and payment execution, vendor issues, cash visibility, and working capital risks.
• Financial Accuracy: Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and ensure reporting is complete, accurate, timely, and appropriate for management, lenders, investors, and the Board.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Build the annual budget and rolling forecasts in partnership with the Co-CEO, and track performance against plan.
• KPIs and Performance Reporting: Establish and maintain KPIs that monitor financial and operational performance, and help managers understand and act on the numbers.
• Process Improvement: Identify and implement practical ways to simplify, automate, and strengthen day‑to‑day accounting processes, controls, documentation, and reporting.
• Team Leadership and Administration: Directly manage the bookkeeper, establish priorities, review work, provide feedback, and oversee the payroll‑related and financial administration that supports employees and company operations.
• Audit and Compliance: Lead the annual external audit, serve as the primary accounting contact for auditors and outside advisors, and maintain appropriate internal controls and documentation.
• M&A and Integration: Play a central role in acquisitions through accounting diligence, opening balance sheet work, purchase accounting, financial integration, and the transition of acquired businesses into Maher's accounting processes.

What You Bring

• Controller Experience (Required): Current or recent experience operating as a Controller with direct responsibility for a company's accounting function.
• Strong Accounting Foundation: Demonstrated ability to own the monthly close, general ledger, financial statements, AR, AP, cash, and related accounting processes.
• Energy and Initiative: You bring high energy, take initiative, and seek out ways to improve processes rather than just maintain them. You follow issues through to resolution, maintain clear visibility into open items, and keep work moving without repeated follow‑up.
• Sound Judgment: You know when to make a decision independently, when additional information is needed, and when an issue genuinely requires executive involvement.
• Leadership and Communication: You set clear expectations, review delegated work appropriately, develop your team, and remain accountable for results. You communicate clearly and professionally with employees, customers, vendors, auditors, lenders, and senior management.

Bonus Points

• Project‑Based Accounting: Construction, specialty contracting, or other project‑based accounting experience.
• WIP and Percentage of Completion: Hands‑on experience preparing WIP reporting and applying percentage of completion accounting.
• Audit: Experience managing an external financial statement audit from preparation through resolution of open items.
• M&A and Process Improvement: Experience with diligence, purchase accounting, post‑acquisition integration, or automation of accounting and financial processes.

Management Team

• Laurent Firlotte, Co-CEO: Former Investment Banker in J.P. Morgan's Power & Renewable Energy Group, advising on over $100bn of enterprise value. Previously a Senior Associate at West Monroe Partners, performing diligence on more than 48 transactions for private equity clients, and began his career in PwC's Management Consulting practice within their supply chain group. MBA from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business.
• Dan Chase, Co-CEO: Licensed attorney who practiced at Skadden Arps and Wilson Sonsini. Dan Co‑founded and later sold an award‑winning escape game company in New York City. JD from UC Berkeley, graduate degree from the University of Oxford, and BA summa cum laude from Columbia University.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Compensation for this position is $150,000 to $185,000 annually and will be determined based on job‑related factors, including relevant knowledge, skills, experience, and education or training.

Maher Services is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and job‑related qualifications, without discrimination on any basis protected by applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available during the selection process.