Controller – Construction Accounting & Client Advisory

Recruithook; Clifton (NJ); On-site; USD 130,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruithook is seeking a Senior Controller for a well-established firm in Northern New Jersey. The role blends construction accounting, client advisory services, and internal financial leadership, partnering with construction and closely held business owners to improve reporting, cash flow visibility, and process efficiency.

You will oversee month-end close, job costing, WIP, budgeting, and project accounting, while serving as the internal Controller for the CPA firm and working closely with the

Qualifications

• Hands-on, senior-level accounting experience in construction or project-based businesses.
• Strong understanding of job costing, WIP, financial reporting, budgeting and cash flow management.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple engagements.
• Excellent communication with owners and senior leadership.
• CPA firm, outsourced accounting, client advisory or fractional Controller experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on Controller and accounting support to construction and closely held clients.
• Oversee month-end close, financial reporting, cash flow, budgeting, job costing, WIP, and project-based accounting.
• Collaborate with owners and senior leadership to improve reporting and processes.
• Manage multiple client engagements and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Serve as internal Controller for the CPA firm, overseeing its books, reporting, cash flow, and financial operations.
• Assist Managing Partner with financial, administrative, vendor, insurance, and operational matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and financial visibility across clients and the firm.

Skills

Controller experience

Construction accounting

Job costing

WIP management

Financial reporting

Budgeting

Cash flow

Communication with executives

Independent work

Job description

A well-established firm in Northern New Jersey is looking for a Senior Controller to join its team in a unique role that combines construction accounting, client advisory services, and internal financial leadership.

This is not a traditional accounting position. You will work directly with a group of construction and closely held business owners, helping them improve financial reporting, cash flow visibility, job costing, WIP, budgeting, and overall accounting processes. At the same time, you will serve as the internal Controller for the CPA firm, overseeing its financial operations and working closely with the Managing Partner.

What You'll Do

• Provide hands-on Controller and accounting support to construction and closely held business clients.
• Oversee month-end close, financial reporting, cash flow, budgeting, job costing, WIP, and project-based accounting.
• Work directly with business owners and senior leadership to improve financial reporting and business processes.
• Manage multiple client engagements and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Serve as the internal Controller for the CPA firm, overseeing its books, reporting, cash flow, and financial operations.
• Help the Managing Partner with financial, administrative, vendor, insurance, and operational matters.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, reporting, and financial visibility across both client businesses and the firm.

What We're Looking For

• Strong Controller or senior-level accounting experience, ideally within construction or another project-based business.
• Solid understanding of job costing, WIP, financial reporting, budgeting, and cash flow management.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple businesses or engagements.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work directly with owners and senior executives.
• Hands-on, solutions-oriented approach with the ability to move beyond simply preparing financial statements.
• CPA firm, outsourced accounting, client advisory, or fractional Controller experience is a plus, but not required.