Controller – Construction Industry

Confidential; Atlanta (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential in Northern Virginia seeks a seasoned Controller to lead accounting and financial reporting for its construction operations. This hands-on leader will manage close, GAAP reporting, project accounting, and internal controls across divisions as the company grows.

Responsibilities include job-cost and WIP management, revenue recognition, budgeting, and collaboration with operations to monitor margins and risks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 7+ years progressive accounting experience with close and reporting.
• Construction or project-based accounting experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and internal controls.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Prepare accurate financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and reconciliations.
• Oversee AP/AR, billing, cash receipts, and other functions.
• Manage project accounting: job-cost, WIP, revenue recognition.
• Develop internal controls and scalable accounting processes.
• Collaborate with operations to monitor budgets and risks.
• Coordinate with external auditors and tax advisors.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Construction accounting

Project accounting

Internal controls

Month-end close

Job-cost accounting

WIP schedules

Revenue recognition

Project billing

Balance-sheet reconciliations

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA or CPA candidate

Tools

ERP systems

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Controller – Construction Location / Schedule: In Person Employment Type: Full Time | Northern VA

$85,000–$130,000 per year Confidential Employer Full-Time | Northern Virginia Position Summary A growing, privately held, multi‑division construction company in Northern Virginia is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting and financial reporting function. This is a hands‑on leadership role for an accounting professional who combines a strong foundation in GAAP financial accounting with meaningful experience in construction and project‑based accounting. The Controller will be responsible for the integrity of the company's financial records, monthly and year‑end close processes, project accounting, internal controls, and financial reporting. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating in a growing organization where accounting processes and systems are continuing to mature. This individual should be capable of establishing structure, improving processes, and producing reliable financial information that management can use to operate the business.

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close processes.
• Prepare accurate financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger, balance sheet reconciliations, accruals, and supporting schedules.
• Produce consolidated and divisional financial reporting for management.
• Establish appropriate accounting policies, procedures, and close controls.
• Ensure financial information is complete, supportable, and prepared on a timely basis.
• Construction and Project Accounting
• Maintain accurate job‑cost accounting across active construction projects.
• Prepare and review work‑in‑progress (WIP) schedules and related project reporting.
• Apply appropriate construction revenue‑recognition methodologies, including percentage‑of‑completion or other applicable GAAP methodologies.
• Monitor project budgets, actual costs, commitments, change orders, billing, retainage, and estimated costs to complete.
• Partner with operations and project management to identify cost variances, margin changes, and financial risks.
• Ensure project accounting records properly reconcile to the general ledger.
• Accounting Operations
• Provide oversight of accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, cash receipts, and other accounting functions.
• Maintain appropriate controls over vendor payments, customer billing, employee expenses, and cash disbursements.
• Improve the accuracy and timeliness of accounting information throughout the organization.
• Establish clear ownership, review procedures, and documentation standards within the accounting team.
• Internal Controls and Process Improvement
• Design, document, and maintain effective internal accounting controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows and eliminate manual or inefficient processes.
• Develop scalable policies and procedures to support continued company growth.
• Strengthen financial documentation and record retention practices.
• Help prepare the organization for future financial statement audits or reviews.
• Cash Flow and Working Capital
• Maintain visibility into accounts receivable, accounts payable, project billing, and working‑capital requirements.
• Support cash‑flow forecasting and management reporting.
• Monitor collections, vendor obligations, retainage, and project‑related cash requirements.
• Provide management with timely information regarding significant cash‑flow or project‑financial issues.
• External Reporting and Compliance
• Coordinate with outside CPA and tax advisors.
• Prepare schedules and supporting documentation for annual tax filings, financial statement reviews, or audits.
• Support reporting requirements associated with banks, lenders, bonding companies, and other external stakeholders.
• Maintain organized documentation supporting financial statements and significant accounting judgments.
• Systems and Accounting Infrastructure
• Maintain and improve the company's accounting systems and related financial processes.
• Participate in accounting‑system or ERP upgrades and implementations as the company grows.
• Develop reporting processes that provide reliable financial visibility by project, division, and consolidated company.
• Promote consistent accounting practices across multiple operating areas.
• Required Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including meaningful responsibility for financial statement preparation and month‑end close.
• Demonstrated experience in construction accounting or project‑based accounting.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP.
• Practical experience with:
• Job‑cost accounting
• WIP schedules
• Construction revenue recognition
• Project billing and retainage
• Balance‑sheet reconciliations
• Month‑end and year‑end close
• Experience working within a multi‑division or multi‑entity organization.
• Strong understanding of internal controls and accounting‑process design.
• Ability to work effectively with operational leaders and project‑management personnel.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
• Preferred Qualifications
• CPA or CPA candidate.
• Prior Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior‑level accounting leadership experience within a construction organization.
• Experience with commercial general contracting, specialty contracting, design‑build, or related project‑based businesses.
• Experience supporting financial statement audits or reviews.
• Familiarity with construction bonding and lender reporting.
• Experience implementing or upgrading accounting or ERP systems.
• Experience managing or developing accounting staff.
• Candidate Profile The ideal candidate is more than a technically capable accountant. This position requires someone who can take ownership of the accounting function, investigate issues independently, establish disciplined processes, and communicate clearly with both financial and operational personnel. The Controller should be comfortable working in a growth‑oriented environment where improving financial processes is as important as maintaining them. This is an opportunity for an experienced construction accounting professional to play a significant role in building a disciplined, scalable finance organization.

$85,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year Work Location: In person