Controller - Construction

Motive Companies, LLC; Bellflower (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Long-term growth

Comprehensive benefits

Varied, engaging work

Collaborative leadership

Job summary

Motive Companies, LLC is seeking a Construction Controller to oversee the financial engine behind our multi-entity portfolio in Southern California, including construction, property management, hospitality, and restaurant operations. You will partner with ownership and leadership to optimize cash flow, WIP, and job costing across 13 active entities.

Bring 7–10 years of CA construction accounting experience, strong Sage 300 CRE skills, and a proven ability to lead a small team in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or economics required.
• 7–10 years of accounting experience with direct California construction exposure.
• Strong proficiency with Sage 300 CRE (Timberline) and advanced Excel.
• Experience managing multi-entity accounting and complex financial statements.

Responsibilities

• Provide full financial oversight across multiple entities, including monthly financial statements, cash forecasting, intercompany reconciliations, audits, and tax reporting.
• Lead construction accounting, including job costing, WIP, progress billings, prevailing wage and certified payroll, and subcontractor payments using Sage 300 CRE.
• Oversee property management accounting, including property-level financials, budgets, tenant billings, property tax, and insurance renewals.
• Manage hospitality and restaurant accounting, including QuickBooks and Toast systems, payroll, pooled tips, inventory valuation, sales tax filings, and license renewals.
• Lead HR and administrative functions, including benefits administration, 401k, compliance, OSHA requirements, HR systems, and timekeeping.
• Act as the primary liaison for IT systems and vendors, negotiating contracts and overseeing accounting and HR software platforms.
• Manage and mentor a small accounting and HR team, including Payroll, Staff Accounting, Project Accounting, and HR support roles.
• Collaborate closely with project management and executive leadership to support decision-making and strategic growth.

Skills

Leadership

Financial oversight

Cross‑entity accounting

Project accounting

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance/economics

Tools

Sage 300 CRE (Timberline)

Excel

QuickBooks Online

Toast POS

Yardi Breeze

Exaktime

Job description

Controller - Construction

Bellflower,CA

As our Construction Controller, can you imagine being at the center of High‑Impact commercial construction and development projects across Southern California, where your work directly influences how projects are financed, executed, and scaled? Being our Construction Controller goes far beyond closing the books; You'll own the financial engine behind active construction and development initiatives, multi‑property portfolios, and operating businesses that include property management, hospitality, and restaurant operations. Your leadership as our Construction Controller will shape how margins are protected, cash flow is optimized, and complex projects move from concept to completion with financial confidence. Would you like to partner closely with ownership and project leadership to bring clarity to job costing, strengthen WIP accuracy, guide strategic investment decisions, and support sustainable growth across multiple entities? If you thrive as a Construction Controller in a hands‑on, fast‑paced environment, enjoy solving complex financial challenges, and take pride in building disciplined systems that support real projects and real growth, this is an opportunity to leave your mark on a growing construction platform.

Build the Financial Foundation of What Comes Next

Our client is a well‑established commercial construction general contractor and development firm with a diversified portfolio and an entrepreneurial mindset. This role sits at the center of the business, partnering closely with ownership, project management, and operations to ensure financial integrity across 13 active entities.

The Foundation We Provide

• Competitive Salary:$150,000 - $165,000 (W-2, full-time, exempt)
• Long‑Term Growth: Join a stable, growing organization with room to expand scope and leadership
• Comprehensive Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, retirement options, and paid time off
• Varied, Engaging Work: Exposure to construction, development, property management, hospitality, and restaurant operations
• Collaborative Leadership Team: Direct partnership with principals, project managers, and operations leaders

Job Requirements

Your Role in the Build

• Provide full financial oversight across multiple entities, including monthly financial statements, cash forecasting, intercompany reconciliations, audits, and tax reporting.
• Lead construction accounting, including job costing, WIP schedules, progress billings, prevailing wage and certified payroll, and subcontractor payments using Sage 300 CRE.
• Oversee property management accounting, including property‑level financials, budgets, tenant billings, property tax, and insurance renewals.
• Manage hospitality and restaurant accounting, including QuickBooks and Toast systems, payroll, pooled tips, inventory valuation, sales tax filings, and license renewals.
• Lead HR and administrative functions, including benefits administration, 401k, compliance, OSHA requirements, HR systems, and timekeeping.
• Act as the primary liaison for IT systems and vendors, negotiating contracts and overseeing accounting and HR software platforms.
• Manage and mentor a small accounting and HR team, including Payroll, Staff Accounting, Project Accounting, and HR support roles.
• Collaborate closely with project management and executive leadership to support decision‑making and strategic growth.

Your Tools for the Build

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or Economics.
• 7-10 years of accounting experience, with direct California construction accounting exposure.
• Strong proficiency with Sage 300 CRE (Timberline) and advanced Excel.
• Working knowledge of California construction laws, labor compliance, and multi‑entity accounting
• Experience managing complex, multi‑entity financial structures
• Commercial General Contractor experience

Preferred Experience

• Yardi Breeze, QuickBooks Online, Toast POS
• BambooHR and Exaktime
• Audit preparation, tax compliance, and internal controls implementation

Your Next Chapter Starts Here

If you are excited by the opportunity to own the financial operations of a diverse construction and development portfolio, partner directly with leadership, and help shape the future of a growing organization, we want to hear from you. Your next chapter begins with a role that empowers tangible growth.

Key Words: Construction Controller, Construction Accounting, Sage 300 CRE, Job Costing, WIP, Multi‑Entity Accounting, Property Management Accounting, Hospitality Accounting, Payroll, Certified Payroll, Prevailing Wage, Financial Reporting, Cash Forecasting, Internal Controls, Team Leadership, California Construction, Development Accounting.