Controller

Wiss; Parsippany-Troy Hills (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Wiss, a leading construction client in Parsippany, NJ, seeks an experienced Controller to oversee accounting and financial operations across its construction and affiliated real estate activities. The role emphasizes AIA billing, WIP schedules, project costing, cash forecasting, banking and surety relationships, and partnering with ownership and auditors.

You will lead close processes, manage high-volume transactions across multiple entities, build scalable controls, and mentor a growing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Significant accounting leadership experience within the construction industry.
• Strong understanding of construction accounting principles, including: AIA billing; Job costing and project financial management.
• Experience working with surety companies, banks, and other external financial partners.
• Knowledge of real estate accounting is preferred, particularly in organizations with investment holdings.
• Proficiency with construction accounting software, including Sage, Timberline, or Foundation.
• Experience with Yardi for real estate accounting is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple entities and a high volume of transactions.
• Proven experience leading and developing accounting teams.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively present financial information to owners and senior leadership.
• A hands-on, detail-oriented management style with the ability to balance strategic oversight and operational execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting and finance activities for the company's construction operations and affiliated real estate entities.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring the timely preparation of accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Prepare and maintain work-in-progress (WIP) schedules and oversee project accounting activities.
• Manage AIA billing processes and support project managers with contract and job cost reporting.
• Supervise the accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and general accounting functions.
• Review bank reconciliations, monitor cash flow, and assist with forecasting and treasury management.
• Serve as a key contact for banking institutions and surety providers, supporting financing and bonding requirements.
• Manage accounting for the company's real estate portfolio, including high-volume transactional activity.
• Partner closely with ownership to communicate timely and accurate financial information, business performance, and operational trends.
• Partner closely with external auditors and advisors to support annual audits and compliance requirements.
• Continuously evaluate accounting processes and internal controls to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Maintain a hands-on approach to day-to-day accounting operations while supporting the company's long-term growth initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Construction accounting

AIA billing

WIP scheduling

Job costing

Financial reporting

Communication

Education

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

Tools

Sage

Timberline

Foundation

Yardi

Job description

A Wiss construction client is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee the accounting and financial operations of its business. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in the construction industry, including expertise in AIA billing, work-in-progress (WIP) schedules, job costing, and banking and surety relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all accounting and finance activities for the company's construction operations and affiliated real estate entities.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring the timely preparation of accurate financial statements and management reports.
• Prepare and maintain work-in-progress (WIP) schedules and oversee project accounting activities.
• Manage AIA billing processes and support project managers with contract and job cost reporting.
• Supervise the accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, and general accounting functions.
• Review bank reconciliations, monitor cash flow, and assist with forecasting and treasury management.
• Serve as a key contact for banking institutions and surety providers, supporting financing and bonding requirements.
• Manage accounting for the company's real estate portfolio, including high-volume transactional activity.
• Partner closely with ownership to communicate timely and accurate financial information, business performance, and operational trends.
• Partner closely with external auditors and advisors to support annual audits and compliance requirements.
• Continuously evaluate accounting processes and internal controls to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Maintain a hands-on approach to day-to-day accounting operations while supporting the company's long-term growth initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Significant accounting leadership experience within the construction industry.
• Strong understanding of construction accounting principles, including:
  • AIA billing.
  • Job costing and project financial management.
• Experience working with surety companies, banks, and other external financial partners.
• Knowledge of real estate accounting is preferred, particularly in organizations with investment holdings.
• Proficiency with construction accounting software, including Sage, Timberline, or Foundation.
• Experience with Yardi for real estate accounting is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple entities and a high volume of transactions.
• Proven experience leading and developing accounting teams.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively present financial information to owners and senior leadership.
• A hands-on, detail-oriented management style with the ability to balance strategic oversight and operational execution.