Controller

Capital Engineering; Rancho Cordova (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital Engineering Consultants is seeking a Controller to lead day-to-day accounting functions, supervise staff, and strengthen project accounting and internal controls at our Sacramento headquarters in Rancho Cordova, CA. This hands-on role focuses on Deltek Vantagepoint, WIP, and revenue recognition to support engineers and project managers.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s in accounting, 6+ years of progressive accounting experience, and CPA/CMA designation preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or closely related field; or equivalent experience.
• Six+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Three years leading employees or managing a comparable accounting function.
• Experience with project-based accounting, job costing, WIP, billing, and project profitability.
• Strong Excel, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work primarily onsite in the Sacramento headquarters office.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting close.
• Ensure accurate general-ledger activity, balance-sheet reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll accounting, billing, WIP, project accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Support routine billing; resolve billing, contract, WIP, collection and project-budget issues.
• Prepare concise monthly financial statements, dashboards, and plain-English commentary.
• Report on revenue, profit, cash, budget, forecast, AR, WIP, backlog, utilization, write-offs, and project profitability.
• Collaborate with Principals and Project Managers to identify causes of project-financial problems and agree on corrective action.
• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasting, and short-term cash forecasting.
• Assess and improve internal controls.
• Document accounting policies, procedures, and critical workflows.
• Serve as primary business owner for Deltek Vantagepoint in accounting and financial-management functions.
• Improve reporting, dashboards, workflows, data quality, and employee adoption.
• Supervise, coach, cross-train, and support the Accounting Team.
• Provide the President and Board with reliable information; no financial surprises.

Skills

Project-based accounting

Deltek Vantagepoint

Financial reporting

Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting

CPA or CMA designation

Tools

Deltek Vantagepoint

Job description

Capital Engineering Consultants
Sacramento Headquarters – Rancho Cordova, California
Full-Time | Primarily Onsite
Salary Range: $115,000-$150,000, plus eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus

Help Build the Financial Operating System for Capital’s Next Stage of Growth

Capital Engineering Consultants is an established, multi-office, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, fire sprinkler, low voltage and commissioning, firm. We provide impactful engineering services in the healthcare, education, civic facilities, commercial development, science and technology, and urban development markets.

Capital has approximately 80 employees, and ambitious, achievable, specific revenue growth goals by 2028-year end.

Capital expects to maintain strong profitability, a healthy culture, and excellent client service in the pursuit of its revenue growth goals and is creating a new Controller position to help us achieve them.

This position is a hands-on accounting leadership role for someone who understands project-based professional services, enjoys improving systems, and wants to help technical leaders make better business decisions. It is NOT a CFO, investment, or capital-markets position.

The Controller will lead the day-to-day accounting functions, supervise and develop current Accounting Staff, strengthen project accounting and internal controls, improve Deltek Vantagepoint reporting, and provide useful financial information to Capital’s President, Board of Directors, Principals and Project Managers.

Core Responsibilities

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and year-end accounting close.
• Ensure accurate general-ledger activity, balance-sheet reconciliations, and financial statements.
• Oversee AP, AR, payroll accounting, billing, WIP, project accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Support routine billing, and actively resolve difficult billing, contract, WIP, collection and project-budget issues.
• Prepare concise monthly financial statements, dashboards, and plain-English commentary.
• Report on revenue, profit, cash, budget, forecast, AR, WIP, backlog, utilization, effective multiplier, write-offs, and project profitability.
• Work with Principals and Project Managers to identify the causes of project-financial problems and agree on corrective action.
• Lead annual budgeting, rolling forecasting, and short-term cash forecasting.
• Assess and improve internal controls.
• Document accounting policies, procedures, and critical workflows.
• Serve as the primary business owner for the accounting and financial-management functions of Deltek Vantagepoint.
• Improve reporting, dashboards, workflows, data quality, and employee adoption.
• Supervise, coach, cross-train, and support the Accounting Team.
• Provide the President and Board with reliable information; no financial surprises.
• Help Capital use technology and AI appropriately to reduce repetitive work while maintaining review, judgment, and accountability.

Who Will Be Successful

An experienced accounting leader who:

• Is willing to work directly in the details.
• Understands monthly close, balance sheets, project accounting, job costing, WIP, billing, AR, and revenue recognition.
• Can explain accounting information to engineers and other non-accountants.
• Knows how to improve controls and processes without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
• Respects the knowledge of long-tenured employees and thoughtfully communicates and implements change.
• Can address difficult issues directly and in a respectful and collaborative manner. .
• Enjoys coaching employees and helping Project Managers understand their financial responsibilities.
• Knows when an issue is material and when a process is simply different from an accustomed way of doing it.
• Is comfortable working with a President, working Board, owners, and technical Principals.
• Believes that strong relationships and strong accountability are critical for the organization’s success. .

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and directly relevant experience.
• Six or more years of progressive accounting experience.
• Three years leading employees or managing a comparable accounting function.
• Demonstrated responsibility for monthly close, general ledger, balance-sheet reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Substantial experience with project-based accounting, job costing, WIP, billing, AR, and project profitability.
• Experience preparing budgets, forecasts, cash projections, and management reporting.
• Experience improving internal controls and accounting processes.
• Strong Excel, analytical and communication skills.
• Ability to work primarily onsite in the Sacramento headquarters office.

Strongly Preferred Skills

• Architecture, engineering, construction, environmental consulting or other project-based, professional services experience.
• Deltek Vantagepoint, Deltek Vision, Ajera, Unanet or similar project-accounting ERP experience.
• Experience working with fixed-fee and hourly professional services contracts.
• Experience supporting Principals and technical Project Managers.
• CPA or CMA designation.
• Experience with a privately held multi-office company of approximately 50-150 employees.

How We Work

Capital’s Core Values guide our decisions and behavior:

• Own It
• Do Good
• Be LIT – Learn, Innovate and Teach
• Build Lasting Relationships

Our current Accounting Team includes tenured, committed employees who have managed myriad demands and possess valuable legacy knowledge. The successful Controller will join Capital ready to respectfully collaborate and maximize upon its existing structure. Leadership attributes that include listening, learning, providing support, clarifying responsibilities, strengthening controls, and helping the entire team succeed will facilitate the Controller’s smooth transition into Capital.

This position will initially be primarily onsite so the Controller can learn about Capital, build trust, and understand how its projects, people, and systems work together. Limited hybrid work may be considered after successful onboarding and establishment of dependable operating routines.

Compensation and Benefits

The identified pay range for this position will depend on the candidate’s relevant experience, qualifications, systems knowledge, and leadership capabilities.

The position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus and Capital’s employee-benefit programs, which include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D insurance, a 401K plan, vacation and sick leave, paid holidays, and professional-development support.

Applying

Please submit a resume and brief cover letter describing:

• Your experience with project-based accounting and monthly close.
• The accounting or reporting process you are most proud of improving.
• How you earned the support of employees who had been using the previous process (see #3 above) for many years.
• Your experience with Deltek Vantagepoint, Deltek Vision or another project-based ERP.

Capital Engineering Consultants is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, or any other protected basis under federal, state, or local laws, regulations, or ordinances.

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing an undue hardship on Capital Engineering. If you are an applicant with a disability, please inform Capital Engineering’s Human Resources Director if you need assistance completing any forms or otherwise participate in the application process.