Controller

The Axel Group, LLC; Wyckoff (NJ); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Axel Group, LLC, a Wyckoff, NJ-based construction firm, seeks a hands-on Controller to lead financial operations, reporting, and compliance. The role offers direct access to ownership and a clear runway to CFO as the company grows, with emphasis on job costing, WIP, cash management, and system improvements.

Responsibilities include overseeing GL, AR/AP, payroll, vendor payments, WIP reporting, and internal controls, while supporting HR and benefits administration.

Qualifications

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, job costing, and WIP schedules.
• Prepare accurate AR progress billings based on contract milestones.
• Manage collections, review AR aging, and escalate slow-pay accounts.
• Facilitate payments to vendors and subcontractors, including lien waiver management.
• Prepare and maintain monthly WIP and percentage-of-completion reports across active projects.
• Run monthly job cost reports in collaboration with Project Managers and ownership, updating contract schedules and WIP reports for internal and external use.
• Review financial transactions and reports for accuracy, ensuring compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulations.
• Maintain cash management, including weekly cash reports, cash flow forecasting, and lender deliverables.
• Monitor Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), reporting risks and funding needs to ownership.
• Own the accuracy of data between project management and accounting platforms, recommending system improvements.
• Deliver monthly financial packages and annual budgets, perform variance analysis and trend identification.
• Support HR functions, including hiring, onboarding, employee questions regarding payroll and benefits, and compliance.
• Manage business insurance, health insurance, and 401(k) program administration.
• Direct administrative and accounting support staff, overseeing workflow and quality control.
• Maintain subcontractor onboarding, insurance, and compliance requirements.
• Support problem solving initiatives and process improvements, utilizing AI tools where appropriate.
• Strong hands on construction accounting (required) and financial management experience, preferably within construction or project based industries.
• Experience with WIP accounting, job costing, Sage, and QuickBooks preferred.
• Proven ability to manage and quality control support staff work.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to ownership.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Excel.
• High level of confidentiality, sound judgment, and problem solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial operations, reporting, and compliance for the construction firm.
• Oversee GL, AP, AR, payroll coordination, and job costing.
• Prepare AR billings based on contract milestones and manage collections.
• Administer vendor payments, lien waivers, and subcontractor onboarding.

Skills

Construction accounting

Financial management

WIP accounting

Job costing

Communication

Detail orientation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Tools

Sage

QuickBooks

Excel

Job description

Our client, a well established and growing construction firm based in the Wyckoff, NJ area, is seeking a hands on Controller to lead financial operations, reporting, and compliance. Our client specializes in residential, multi-family, hospitality, and commercial construction, and this role offers direct access to ownership with a real path to grow into a CFO position as the company scales.

This is a rare chance to step into a hands on Controller seat with direct ownership access and a clear runway to CFO as the company grows.

• Oversee all accounting functions including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, job costing, and WIP schedules
• Prepare accurate accounts receivable progress billings based on contract milestones
• Manage collections, review AR aging, and escalate slow-pay accounts
• Facilitate payments to vendors and subcontractors, including lien waiver management
• Prepare and maintain monthly WIP and percentage-of-completion reports across active projects
• Run monthly job cost reports in collaboration with Project Managers and ownership, updating contract schedules and WIP reports for internal and external use
• Review financial transactions and reports for accuracy, ensuring compliance with internal controls, policies, and regulations
• Maintain cash management, including weekly cash reports, cash flow forecasting, and lender deliverables
• Monitor Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and Days Payable Outstanding (DPO), reporting risks and funding needs to ownership
• Own the accuracy of data between project management and accounting platforms, recommending system improvements
• Deliver monthly financial packages and annual budgets, perform variance analysis and trend identification
• Support HR functions, including hiring, onboarding, employee questions regarding payroll and benefits, and compliance
• Manage business insurance, health insurance, and 401(k) program administration
• Direct administrative and accounting support staff, overseeing workflow and quality control
• Maintain subcontractor onboarding, insurance, and compliance requirements
• Support problem solving initiatives and process improvements, utilizing AI tools where appropriate
• Strong hands on construction accounting (required) and financial management experience, preferably within construction or project based industries
• Experience with WIP accounting, job costing, Sage, and QuickBooks preferred
• Proven ability to manage and quality control support staff work
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to ownership
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, especially Excel
• High level of confidentiality, sound judgment, and problem solving skills