Controller

StraussGroup - Executive Search Consultants; Town of Tonawanda (NY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off, holidays, and sickleav

CPE and license reimbursement

Job summary

StraussGroup is partnering with a family-owned construction company in Buffalo, NY to recruit the first Controller. You will own the close, reporting, and controls for both construction and property entities, building scalable processes and a trusted advisory relationship with the owner.

This hands-on role requires 8+ years of accounting, GAAP expertise (ASC 606/842), and proficiency in QuickBooks and Excel. On-site Monday–Friday with potential extended hours during month-end and audits.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience with at least 3 in Controller/Accounting Manager roles.
• Construction accounting or real estate/property accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Strong GAAP knowledge, including ASC 606 and ASC 842.
• Proficiency in QuickBooks and advanced Excel; able to explain numbers clearly.
• Discretion with confidential information and strong communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly close and financial reporting, including job profitability.
• Perform job costing, WIP schedules, and ASC 606 revenue recognition.
• Handle progress billing, retainage, lien waivers, and payroll processes.
• Manage cash forecasting, banking relationships, and audits.
• Maintain separate books for each property entity and manage rent rolls.
• Prepare CAM reconciliations, budget-to-actual reports, and property statements.
• Oversee consolidation, intercompany accounting, and internal controls.
• Assist with annual budgets/forecasts and coordinate with outside CPA for reviews/tax.

Skills

QuickBooks

Advanced Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance

CPA or CMA

Tools

Construction/Property management software

Job description

Buffalo, NY | On-site | $115,000 to $130,000 + bonus

StraussGroup is partnering with a well-respected, family-owned construction company in the Buffalo area to find their first Controller. Alongside the construction business, the family owns a real estate portfolio of residential rental units and commercial office space. They’ve grown to a point where they need a true finance leader, and this person will become a trusted advisor to the owner.

This is a hands-on seat. You’ll be closing the books yourself, not just reviewing someone else’s work, while building the reporting, controls, and processes that take the company to its next stage.

What you’ll own

Construction

• Monthly close and financial reporting, including job profitability
• Job costing, WIP schedules, and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition
• Progress billing, retainage, and lien waivers
• Union and non-union payroll, fringe benefit remittances, and certified payroll / prevailing wage
• Cash forecasting, bank relationships, and support for bonding and insurance audits
• Separate books for each property entity
• Rent rolls, tenant billing, delinquencies, and security deposits
• Property operating statements and budget-to-actual reporting
• CAM reconciliations, mortgage and escrow tracking, and capex vs. repair decisions

Company-wide

• Consolidation and intercompany accounting across both businesses
• Internal controls and process improvement
• Annual budgets and forecasts
• Working with the outside CPA firm on reviews and tax
• Training and developing a small office team

What we’re looking for

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 3 in a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, or comparable role
• Construction accounting or real estate/property accounting experience. Both are ideal, but strong depth in one will be seriously considered.
• Solid working knowledge of GAAP, including ASC 606 and ASC 842
• Strong QuickBooks and advanced Excel skills
• Someone who’s comfortable doing the detail work, can explain the numbers in plain language, and handles confidential information with discretion

Nice to have

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance
• CPA or CMA
• Experience in a family-owned or closely held business
• Familiarity with construction or property management software
• Knowledge of New York State payroll, sales tax, and landlord-tenant rules

What’s offered

• $115,000 to $130,000 base salary plus a discretionary annual bonus
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off, holidays, and sick leave
• CPE and license reimbursement

This is a full-time, on-site role, Monday through Friday, with extended hours during month-end, year-end, and audit season. A valid driver’s license is required for occasional visits to job sites and properties.