Controller

Spruce Builders, LLC; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A construction company based in Philadelphia is seeking a financial operator to build the accounting infrastructure essential for scaling operations. This leadership position requires 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, with a strong focus on residential or multi-family construction. The ideal candidate will improve financial operations across multiple entities and ensure cash flow management. Candidates without construction accounting depth or those who prefer maintaining existing systems will not be a fit.

Qualifications

• 10+ years progressive accounting experience.
• Minimum 5 years as Controller or equivalent senior finance leader in residential or multi-family construction.
• Experience managing multiple entities.

Responsibilities

• Own FP&A for construction operations.
• Lead annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting.
• Ensure all bank reconciliations are completed monthly.

Job description

We are building a high-performance, multi-entity construction and development platform — and we need a financial operator who can build the accounting infrastructure to match our growth.

We are scaling rapidly in residential and multi-family construction and development. Project volume is increasing. Entity complexity is increasing. Capital sophistication is increasing. Our accounting function must level up accordingly.

We are not looking for a traditional “keep the books clean” Controller. This Is Not a Maintenance Role.

If you are a strategic construction finance leader who thrives in high-accountability environments, builds systems that scale, and wants a real seat at the table — this role is for you. If you prefer slow-moving environments, unclear standards, or “that’s how we’ve always done it,” this will not be a fit.

What You Will Own

You will own the integrity, structure, and scalability of our financial operations across multiple entities.

This is a hands-on leadership role with direct impact on cash, profitability, capital strategy, and operational decision-making.

What Winning Looks Like

Within 30–90 Days

• Diagnose gaps in our accounting team and present a hiring/upgrade plan
• Implement a disciplined monthly close calendar
• Improve reporting clarity and timeliness
• Build a rolling 13-week cash forecast updated weekly

You are not here to observe. You are here to upgrade.

Within 6–12 Months

• Deliver consistently on-time financial statements (10–15 business day close)
• Implement or significantly optimize accounting/project management systems
• Present technology and infrastructure recommendations to Ownership/Board
• Build a scalable accounting department that supports growth without chaos
• Create real-time visibility into job profitability and cash position

Core Responsibilities:

• Own FP&A for construction operations (job costing, WIP, margin analysis)
• Provide clear day/week/month financial snapshots to partners
• Lead annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting
• Ensure capital and liquidity planning align with project pipeline

Construction Accounting Mastery

• Percentage‑of‑completion accounting
• WIP schedules and margin fade/gain analysis
• Retainage tracking
• Draw schedules and lien waiver management
• Multi‑entity and intercompany accounting
• Development and partnership structures

We are not looking for someone who needs to learn construction accounting on the job.

Operational Rigor

• Own monthly, quarterly, and annual closes
• Ensure all bank reconciliations are completed monthly
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll, and subcontractor payments
• Implement daily cash reporting
• Maintain GAAP compliance
• Lead audit and tax coordination

Systems & Scalability

• Evaluate QuickBooks and current software stack
• Recommend and lead ERP upgrades if needed
• Improve reporting automation and data reliability
• Build processes that reduce dependency on individual heroics

Performance Standards

We measure performance. You will be accountable for:

• Monthly financials delivered within 10–15 business days
• Weekly accounting dashboard sent by Monday 12 PM
• Accurate WIP reporting every month
• Rolling 13-week cash forecast updated weekly
• Clean reconciliations with no surprises
• AR metrics improving as HIP business scales

Required Experience

• 10+ years progressive accounting experience
• Minimum 5 years as Controller (or equivalent senior finance leader) in residential or multi‑family construction
• Proven experience scaling accounting operations
• Expertise in job costing and WIP reporting
• Experience managing multiple entities
• Experience working directly with ownership

Preferred

• CPA strongly preferred
• Experience with Sage 300, Procore, BuilderTrend, or similar
• Experience with development capital structures and joint ventures
• ERP implementation leadership experience

Who Thrives Here

• You have built accounting departments before
• You move fast and don’t wait to be told
• You think like an owner
• You are comfortable being measured
• You communicate clearly and directly
• You can operate strategically and still dive into detail

Who Should Not Apply

• Controllers who only manage existing systems
• Accountants uncomfortable with growth‑stage ambiguity
• Candidates without real construction accounting depth
• Leaders who avoid accountability

This is a career-defining opportunity to build the financial backbone of a scaling construction and development platform. If you are elite at what you do — and want to build something that matters — we want to talk.