Controller — Energy Startup, Build Finance Function

Harmer; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus + equity

Medical insurance

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Harmer is seeking a senior Controller to establish and lead the accounting function for a fast-growing, PE-backed energy company in Houston. The role reports to the CFO and offers the opportunity to build processes, systems, and an internal team from the ground up to support major capital investments.

You will partner with engineering and operations, oversee GAAP reporting, and drive scalability while guiding finance strategy, controls, and compliance in a lean, high-impact environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA strongly preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience within energy, EPC, construction, or project-heavy environments with large-scale capital projects.
• Experience as Assistant Controller, Controller, Director of Accounting, or similar leadership role.
• Hands-on, self-starter experience in a small-company/start-up setting; capable of building the accounting function.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead the accounting function, including policies, procedures, controls, reporting, and close activities.
• Manage general ledger, reconciliations, accruals, consolidations, and financial statements under U.S. GAAP.
• Develop scalable project-accounting and project-controls processes for large capital projects.
• Partner with engineering, project management, procurement, operations, and finance for accounting treatment and visibility.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, liquidity planning, cash management, audits, and tax compliance.
• Evaluate systems and automate processes; transition outsourced activities to internal function.
• Recruit, develop and lead the accounting team, serving as key partner to CFO and leadership.

Skills

CPA

Energy/Capital projects

U.S. GAAP

ERP systems

Leadership

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance

CPA certification

Tools

ERP software

Job description

Harmer is seeking a senior Controller to establish and lead the accounting function for a fast-growing, PE-backed energy company in Houston. The role reports to the CFO and offers the opportunity to build processes, systems, and an internal team from the ground up to support major capital investments.

You will partner with engineering and operations, oversee GAAP reporting, and drive scalability while guiding finance strategy, controls, and compliance in a lean, high-impact environment.