Controller Construction & Transportation

Vessel Advisors; Lynwood (CA); On-site; USD 155,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Vessel Advisors is assisting a confidential client in the construction and transportation sector to hire a hands-on Controller who will own the entire accounting function across multiple entities in Lynwood, CA. You will report directly to ownership and stand up the systems, controls, and reporting needed to scale the business.

The role emphasizes disciplined billing, government and prevailing-wage compliance, and building processes from the ground up.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in accounting with a Controller or senior accounting leadership role.
• Construction/public-works experience with certified payroll and prevailing wage is required.
• Multi-entity accounting and consolidation experience.
• Track record of building processes, policies, and internal controls from the ground up.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and advanced Excel; CPA not required.

Responsibilities

• Own accounting operations across multiple entities: close, GL, AP/AR, cash, reconciliations.
• Institute billing and collections discipline across government and commercial contracts to stabilize cash flow.
• Ensure certified payroll and union/non-union billing compliance.
• Develop internal controls, policies, and SOPs aligned with GAAP.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and cash-flow planning with ownership.
• Oversee accounting systems and AP/AR automation; supervise accounting staff.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Advanced Excel

Hands-on systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

QuickBooks

ERP systems

Job description

About the Search

Vessel Advisors is a national financial‑leadership firm that helps growing companies build and strengthen their finance and accounting teams — from fractional CFO and controller support to permanent executive search. We have been exclusively retained by our client to help build their leadership team and are managing this search on their behalf. Our client's identity is kept confidential at this stage and is shared with candidates as the process advances.

About Our Client

Our client is an established, owner‑led group of companies in the construction and transportation sector, based in southeast Los Angeles County. They have grown quickly and are building the financial leadership to match.

The Opportunity

This is not a maintain‑the‑books seat — it is a build‑it seat. Reporting directly to ownership, you will own the entire accounting function and stand up the systems, controls, and reporting a multi‑entity, project‑based business needs to scale. A core mandate is bringing discipline to billing and collections across government and prevailing‑wage contracts. If you want ownership, visibility, and a direct line to the people running the company, this is that role.

What You'll Own

• All accounting operations across multiple entities — close, GL, AP/AR, cash, reconciliations.
• Billing and collections discipline across commercial, government, and prevailing‑wage contracts — the biggest single lever on cash flow.
• Certified payroll and union/non‑union billing compliance.
• Internal controls, accounting policies, and SOPs built to GAAP.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and short‑term cash‑flow planning alongside ownership.
• Accounting systems and AP/AR automation; supervision and development of accounting staff.

What You Bring

• 7+ years in accounting, including a Controller or senior accounting‑leadership role.
• Construction / public‑works experience with certified payroll and prevailing wage — the key qualification.
• Multi‑entity accounting and consolidation experience.
• A track record of building processes and controls from the ground up.
• Strong GAAP, advanced Excel, and hands‑on systems experience. CPA not required.

Location & Compensation

• Fully on‑site in Lynwood, CA — convenient to the Gateway Cities, Long Beach, and the Santa Fe Springs corridor.
• $155,000–$165,000 per year, depending on experience.

Our client is an equal opportunity employer.

Requirements

• 7+ years in accounting, including a Controller or senior accounting‑leadership role.
• Construction or public‑works experience with certified payroll and prevailing wage — the key qualification.
• Hands‑on ownership of month‑end close, GL, AP/AR, cash management, and reconciliations.
• Multi‑entity accounting and consolidation experience.
• A track record of building accounting processes, policies, and internal controls from the ground up.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and advanced Excel.
• Experience with QuickBooks and/or ERP systems and AP/AR automation tools.
• Job costing and government/prevailing‑wage billing familiarity.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field preferred.
• Able to work on‑site in Lynwood, CA.