Controller, Electrical Contractor

GMEA Services; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan with company match

Paid time off and holidays

Professional development support

Job summary

GMEA Services in Austin, TX seeks a Controller to lead the accounting function for our growing electrical contracting business. The role covers job costing, billing, payroll, and financial reporting, with close collaboration with owners and project managers on pricing, cash flow, and margin analysis.

You will manage WIP, retainage, and subcontractor invoicing, while ensuring GAAP and ASC 606 compliance. This is a hands-on, full‑time position with on‑site and remote work flexibility.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (or equivalent experience).
• 5 to 7 years of accounting experience, with at least 3 years in construction or job cost accounting.
• Working knowledge of WIP, percentage-of-completion, retainage, and progress billing.
• Experience running payroll and AP/AR.
• Proficiency in Excel and construction accounting software.
• Comfortable working independently and wearing multiple hats.

Responsibilities

• Job Costing and WIP: set up jobs, cost codes, and budgets; track actual vs. estimated labor hours and material costs.
• Billing and Receivables: prepare progress billings, pay applications, and invoices; track retainage and change orders.
• Payables and Payroll: process vendor, supplier, and subcontractor invoices; run weekly payroll including certified payroll on prevailing wage jobs.
• Financial Reporting and Close: complete monthly close, reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries; prepare monthly financial statements and job cost reports.
• Banking, Surety, and Cash Management: prepare financial and WIP packages for bank and surety; monitor loan covenants and bonding requirements.

Skills

Accounting experience

WIP/ % of completion

Payroll and AP/AR

Excel proficiency

Independent work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Construction accounting software

QuickBooks Online

Job description

Controller, Electrical Contractor (Small Shop)

Position Summary The Controller is the financial lead for a fast-growing electrical contracting company, responsible for the full accounting function from day-to-day bookkeeping through financial reporting and banking and surety relationships. This is a hands‑on role: you will manage job costing and billing, run payroll and AP, and also provide the financial guidance the owner needs to price work, manage cash, and grow. The company’s primary focus is industrial/commercial projects.

Reports to:

Owner/President

Employment type:

Full‑time

Location:

Austin, TX

Key Responsibilities

• Job Costing and WIP
• Set up jobs, cost codes, and budgets; track actual vs. estimated labor hours and material costs
• Prepare monthly WIP schedules with costs to complete, over/under billings, and projected gross profit
• Meet monthly with project managers and the owner to review job status, change orders, and margin
• Flag cost overruns and underbilling early
• Billing and Receivables
• Prepare progress billings, pay applications (AIA G702/G703 as needed), and T&M and service invoices
• Track retainage, change orders, and stored materials billing
• Follow up on past‑due accounts and manage lien notices and releases
• Payables and Payroll
• Process vendor, supplier, and subcontractor invoices, coded to the correct job
• Collect lien waivers, W-9s, and insurance certificates
• Run weekly or biweekly payroll, including certified payroll on prevailing wage jobs
• Handle union fringe reporting and remittances (if applicable)
• Allocate labor burden and workers’ compensation to jobs
• Financial Reporting and Close
• Complete the monthly close, including reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries
• Prepare monthly financial statements and job cost reports
• Maintain compliance with GAAP and ASC 606 for long‑term contracts
• Work with the outside CPA on year‑end, reviews or audits, and tax filings
• Banking, Surety, and Cash Management
• Prepare financial and WIP packages for the bank and surety
• Monitor loan covenants and bonding requirements
• Maintain a rolling cash flow forecast tied to billing and payment timing
• Manage line of credit draws, vehicle and equipment financing, and supplier account terms
• Controls, Compliance, and Systems
• Maintain practical internal controls over purchasing, disbursements, and payroll
• Handle sales/use tax, insurance audits, and licensing‑related filings
• Manage the accounting software and recommend improvements as the company grows
• Support budgeting and pricing decisions with overhead and burden rate analysis

Qualifications Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance (or equivalent experience)
• 5 to 7 years of accounting experience, with at least 3 years in construction or job cost accounting
• Working knowledge of WIP, percentage‑of‑completion, retainage, and progress billing
• Experience running payroll and AP/AR
• Proficiency in Excel and construction accounting software
• Comfortable working independently and wearing multiple hats

Preferred

• CPA or CCIFP, or progress toward either
• Electrical or specialty trade contractor experience
• Experience with Quickbooks Online
• Experience with prevailing wage and certified payroll
• Experience preparing financials for sureties and banks

Skills and Competencies

• Hands‑on, detail‑oriented, and comfortable doing the work as well as managing it
• Clear communication with the owner, project managers, and field staff
• Sound judgment on forecasting and cash management
• Discretion with confidential information
• Ability to build simple, scalable processes as the company grows

Working Conditions

• Remote, occasionally on site
• Busier during month‑end, year‑end, audit, and bonding renewal periods
• Standard business hours

Compensation and Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement plan with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Professional development support