Controller

Strategic Mission Critical; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36-hour week

Hybrid work

13 paid holidays

Medical insurance

Licensing costs reimbursement

Family insurance subsidies

Life and long-term disability

401(k) plan

Job summary

Strategic Mission Critical is seeking a Controller to join the Phoenix headquarters, leading the accounting and finance team. The role guides budgeting, forecasting and project profitability analysis, interacting with executives to steer financial decisions.

A strong GAAP background and CPA-preferred education are valued as the company supports hybrid work and career growth. The Controller will oversee month-end close, manage payroll and AP/AR processes, and ensure compliant reporting across

Qualifications

• 7-10 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in Accounting (CPA Preferred)
• Experience in professional services, engineering, architecture, or construction industry strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, revenue recognition, project accounting and job cost principals.
• Preference for expertise in professional services ERP/Accounting platforms (Eltek, BST, Unanet)
• Proven ability to manage a small team in a mid-sized business (100-500 employees)
• Emphasis in problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Experience with Microsoft tools such as Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Power Point.
• Experience using construction management tools such as Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the accounting department and functions, with a focus on building an accounting team internally that can properly and efficiently support firm growth with reliable processes and reporting.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and an orderly electronic filing system.
• Maintain the general ledger and post daily deposit and withdrawal transactions. Ensure transactions have been properly authorized and posted to the correct general ledger accounts (e.g., capital expenditures).
• Establish, maintain, and periodically evaluate the internal control system. Make recommendations on process improvements and help manage implementation.
• Supervise the accounts receivable and work-in-process functions. Receive feedback from project managers on job progress and collections, and assist them where needed.
• Supervise the accounts payable function to ensure invoices are posted to the general ledger as they arrive and are paid timely, that discounts are utilized, and proper paperwork is maintained.
• Facilitate upper management with financial analysis and report production on a timely basis.
• Manage relationships with outside service providers, lenders/lessors, and regulators, and assist with pricing and risk evaluation.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Revenue recognition

Project accounting

Job costing

Team leadership

Analytical thinking

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

CPA preferred

Tools

Eltek

BST

Unanet

Procore

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Microsoft Office

Job description

Engineering data centers with precision and expertise.

At Strategic Mission Critical, we are more than just engineers; we are experts focusing solely on mission critical facilities. Our seasoned leadership team brings together decades of experience, equipping data center providers worldwide with robust, reliable solutions that keep pace with the evolving digital landscape.

As demand for high-performance infrastructure accelerates - fueled by AI and the expanding digital landscape - SMC continues to lead through technical rigor and operational excellence. We’re seeking leaders who think beyond projects to improve the way we deliver them: individuals who elevate people, process, and performance across the firm.

Position Opening

The Controller works as part of the Accounting and Finance Team and is responsible for closely monitoring the financial health of a mid-sized engineering services firm. The controller is based at the PHX headquarters and works closely with the executive team to guide the organization's financial decisions. Communicates regularly with the executive management team. The role is responsible for managing the accounting team, overseeing month-end close, GAAP compliance, and providing leadership in budgeting, forecasting and project profitability analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and manage all aspects of the accounting department and functions, with a focus on building an accounting team internally that can properly and efficiently support firm growth with reliable processes and reporting.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and an orderly electronic filing system.
• Maintain the general ledger and post daily deposit and withdrawal transactions. Ensure transactions have been properly authorized and posted to the correct general ledger accounts (e.g., capital expenditures).
• Establish, maintain, and periodically evaluate the internal control system. Make recommendations on process improvements and help manage implementation.
• Supervise the accounts receivable and work-in-process functions. Receive feedback from project managers on job progress and collections, and assist them where needed.
• Supervise the accounts payable function to ensure invoices are posted to the general ledger as they arrive (to facilitate cash flow assessment) and are paid timely, that discounts are being utilized, and proper paperwork is being maintained including purchase orders. Review vendor master files/setup for appropriateness (account specifications such as the discount policy and Forms W-9). Review and reconcile vendor statements.
• Facilitate upper management with financial analysis (e.g., cash flow management, forecasting, job profitability, variance analysis) and report production on a timely basis, and in conjunction with any recurring report schedules.
• Manage relationships with outside service providers, lenders/lessors, and regulators, and assist the leadership team with evaluating pricing and risk.
  • Coordinate information exchanges and processes with key advisors such as the CPA firm, law firm, and payroll/benefits service providers.
  • Coordinate and manage software process improvements with the software provider.
  • Manage compliance in various state and local jurisdictions.
• Bi-Weekly
  • Manage the bi-weekly payroll activity processed by ADP, after review of the payroll register to confirm names and amounts.
  • Oversee 401(k) and cafeteria plan processing and accounting.
  • Review WIP with project managers to ensure billable hours and expenses are posted properly.
  • Analyze companies’ cash flow requirements for the coming weeks.
• Monthly
  • Perform monthly adjusting entries and reconciliations and close the general ledger by the 7th of the succeeding month.
  • Adjusting entries encompass items such as: Revenue under and over billings, Depreciation expense, Interest expense, Prepaid expenses, Accrued liabilities (e.g., consultants, payroll, etc.), Lease accounting under GAAP, Shareholder distributions.
  • Reconciliations include items such as: Cash and credit card expenditures, Accounts receivable and accounts payable subsidiary ledgers with general ledger account balances, Fixed assets and related depreciation schedule.
  • Assist upper management in analyzing company and office performance against benchmarks (i.e. budgets, historical performance, industry KPIs) and with forecasting.
  • Monitor debt levels and compliance with debt covenants if applicable.
  • Oversee the preparation and dispatch of monthly customer statements.
  • Manage and prepare fillings such as sales tax.
  • Manage revenue, fixed asset, and payroll reporting information by state.
• Other Quarterly and Annual Reporting
  • Review and reconcile quarterly payroll tax filings (prepared by ADP) with the general ledger.
  • Coordinate the provision of information to the outside CPA firm and processing of the annual financial statements and tax returns (income and 1099).

Qualifications

• 7-10 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelors Degree in Accounting (CPA Preferred)
• Experience in professional services, engineering, architecture, or construction industry strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, revenue recognition, project accounting and job cost principals.
• Preference for expertise in professional services ERP/Accounting platforms (eltek, BST, Unanet)
• Proven ability to manage a small team in a mid-sized business (100-500 employees)
• Emphasis in problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Experience with Microsoft tools such as Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Power Point.
• Experience using construction management tools such as Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Compensation

Base Compensation: $125,000-$165,000 (Actual compensation is subject to variation due to factors such as education, experience, skills)

SMC offers a competitive benefits package,

• 36-hour standard work week
• hybrid working arrangement
• 13 paid holidays
• 100% coverage of medical, health, and dental insurance premiums for our full-time employees
• reimbursement of professional licensing costs
• Spouse and family insurance premiums are subsidized by SMC
• All full-time employees are additionally eligible for employer-sponsored life and long-term disability insurance
• participation in our 401(k) plan, with annual safe harbor contribution

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.