Controller

Horner & Shifrin; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Casual dress

Company-sponsored activities

Domestic partner benefits

Paid parental leave

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Job summary

Horner & Shifrin, a 100% employee-owned engineering firm based in St. Louis, seeks a Controller to own financial information accuracy and timeliness. This hands-on role builds project accounting, strengthens internal controls, and scales processes for growth across multiple states.

The successful candidate will lead accounting operations, close processes, budgeting, and audits, while mentoring staff and aligning with ESOP governance. Competitive compensation and benefits offered.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience required; 10+ years with controller-level experience will be considered.
• Experience supervising or mentoring accounting staff preferred.
• Controller or senior accounting experience in an architecture, engineering, consulting, or other project-based professional services firm preferred.
• Experience with ERP/accounting systems, preferably in a project-based or professional services environment; ESOP experience preferred.
• CPA preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of GAAP, including revenue recognition for long-term, project-based contracts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills; ability to translate financial data for technical and non-technical leaders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting operations: GL, AP, AR, payroll, billing, collections, financial reporting.
• Prepare monthly/quarterly/annual statements and management reports.
• Develop analyses, forecasts, dashboards, and KPIs for executive decision-making.
• Ensure GAAP compliance and internal controls; safeguard assets.
• Lead monthly and year-end close, including revenue recognition and WIP reporting.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting with Presidents and leaders; monitor performance against budget.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Project-based accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business/Accounting/Finance

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

ERP software

Vantagepoint

Job description

Horner & Shifrin is a 100% employee-owned, full-service engineering firm founded in St. Louis in 1933. From offices across four states, our employee-owners deliver work across the full life cycle of a project: planning, survey and assessment, design, construction, and managing what's been built. Today we are in a period of deliberate, sustained growth, expanding our services, our geographic footprint, and our team, and every employee-owner shares directly in the value that growth creates.

THE OPPORTUNITY:

Horner & Shifrin is adding a Controller to strengthen its finance function. Reporting to the President and working closely with our accounting team, the Controller owns the accuracy, timeliness, and usefulness of H&S's financial information. This is a hands-on technical role for someone who wants to build and strengthen project accounting and internal controls, turn Vantagepoint data into insights project managers and business unit leaders can act on, and help scale our processes to support a growing, multi-state, employee-owned firm. As the firm grows, so does this role, with the opportunity to take on broader leadership responsibilities.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES/DUTIES:

Accounting Operations & Financial Reporting

• Ensure the accuracy and integrity of accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, billing, collections, and financial reporting.
• Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Develop financial analyses, forecasts, dashboards, and key performance indicators to support executive decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable regulations.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial processes to safeguard company assets.
• Lead the monthly and year-end close, including revenue recognition and work-in-progress (WIP) reporting.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Lead the annual budgeting process and periodic forecasting activities in partnership with the President and business unit leaders.
• Monitor financial performance against budget and recommend corrective actions as needed.
• Analyze profitability, utilization, overhead rates, labor multipliers, and project performance metrics at the firm, business unit, and project level.
• Support strategic initiatives through financial modeling and business analysis.
• Develop the capital expenditure budget and oversee capital equipment purchases.

Audit, Tax, Compliance & Corporate Governance

• Coordinate annual audits and serve as a primary contact with external auditors, financial institutions, and tax advisors.
• Support ESOP administration, including the annual share valuation, coordination with the trustee and plan administrator, and repurchase obligation planning.
• Maintain corporate records, regulatory filings, and Board of Directors meeting minutes, and serve as Assistant Corporate Secretary.
• Manage business insurance programs and review project contractual insurance requirements.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax obligations, including multi-state filings as the firm expands.
• Mentor Accounting Department staff on technical accounting practices, controls, and Vantagepoint best practices.
• Evaluate departmental processes and systems and implement continuous improvements that increase efficiency and data clarity.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, accuracy, and customer service.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

• 15+ years of progressive accounting/finance experience is required; candidates with 10+ years and controller-level experience will be considered.
• Experience supervising or mentoring accounting staff, preferred.
• Controller or senior accounting experience in an architecture, engineering, consulting, or other project-based professional services firm, preferred.
• Experience with ERP/accounting systems, preferably in a project-based or professional services environment. Experience in an employee-owned (ESOP) company, preferred.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of GAAP, including revenue recognition for long-term, project-based contracts.
• Strong analytical and communication skills, with the ability to translate financial data into clear direction for technical and non-technical leaders.

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, or Finance is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

SALARY RANGE:

Horner & Shifrin, Inc. offers a comprehensive total rewards package and is committed to fair, competitive, market-based compensation. The target salary range for this position is $130,000.00 to $160,000.00. Compensation for the successful candidate will be based on the candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, competencies, experience, and geographic location.

Why come work for us?

Horner & Shifrin is a 100% employee-owned company that employs the best people and provides them with challenging projects and a work environment that fosters growth, innovation, and personal satisfaction. As employee-owners, every member of our team shares in the value we create together. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has recognized us as a Top Workplace from 2017 to 2026. We offer a wide variety of benefits, such as flexible schedules, casual dress, company-sponsored activities, domestic partner benefits, paid parental leave, and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan. To learn more about us, please check out our website at www.hornershifrin.com

Horner & Shifrin is a Federal Contractor, Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Veteran.

If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, or are limited in the ability or unable to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, you may contact Human Resources at 314-531-4321 for assistance.

Contact our Human Resources Department at [e-mail] for any recruiting inquiries.