Controller - wilmington, nc

Tongue & Groove; Wilmington, Northern (NC, KY); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance bonus

401(k) with company match

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Tongue & Groove is seeking a seasoned financial professional to lead and elevate our accounting operations across a fast‑growing, multi‑entity luxury design‑build and real estate firm headquartered in Wilmington, NC, with expansion in Raleigh and Florida.

The Controller will build systems, enhance financial discipline, and provide insights to guide strategic growth, with potential to advance toward CFO in the future.

Qualifications

• 7+ years accounting experience, construction accounting preferred.
• Strong knowledge of accrual and WIP accounting.
• Experience operating in multi-entity environments.
• Strong financial analysis and reporting capabilities.
• Ability to partner with leadership and project teams.
• CPA preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial functions across multiple entities and provide strategic financial leadership.
• Manage accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, and internal controls.
• Lead cash flow forecasting, job costing, margins, and controllership duties.
• Supervise staff and collaborate with project managers and leadership.
• Deliver monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports and analytical insights.
• Drive internal controls and financial process improvements.

Skills

Years of accounting experience

Construction accounting

Multi-entity management

Financial analysis & reporting

Leadership and mentoring

CPA (preferred)

Job description

Tongue & Groove is seeking a seasoned financial professional to lead and elevate our accounting operations. This role will oversee all financial functions across a fast-growing, multi-entity luxury design-build and real estate firm headquartered in Wilmington, NC, with expanding operations in Raleigh and Florida.

This is not simply a bookkeeping role or a traditional back-office accounting position. The Controller will serve as a hands‑on financial leader responsible for building systems, improving financial discipline, and providing the insights necessary to guide strategic growth.

Working directly with ownership and senior leadership, this role offers the opportunity to shape the financial infrastructure of a dynamic company and grow into a future CFO position.

Position Overview

The Controller is responsible for managing all financial functions of the organization, including accounting operations, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, internal controls, and construction accounting oversight.

This position ensures financial integrity across multiple entities while providing leadership with clear insights into performance, job costing, margins, and cash flow. The Controller will lead the accounting function, supervise staff, and collaborate closely with project managers and leadership to ensure financial discipline across the company.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment, demonstrates exceptional leadership, and has strong experience with construction accounting and multi-entity operations.

What you'll own

The Controller will be responsible for building and maintaining strong financial systems and reporting across the organization, including:

• Monthly financial close process with a target of a 10-day close
• Construction WIP schedules and percentage‑of‑completion accounting
• Multi-entity financial consolidation
• Cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
• Job cost accuracy and margin visibility
• Oversight of accounts payable, accounts receivable, and accounting staff
• Implementation of internal controls and financial process improvements
• Financial reporting for leadership and strategic decision making

Accounting Operations

• Process accounts payable daily and issue payments weekly, bi‑weekly, or monthly
• Maximize vendor and subcontractor discounts, rebates, and credit card rewards
• Maintain accurate vendor records and ensure all required documentation is current
• Manage accounts receivable, including issuing client invoices and tracking collections
• Oversee accounting operations across Tongue & Groove and affiliated companies
• Maintain accurate general ledger records and financial systems
• Prepare and distribute monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports including:
  • Profit & Loss statements
  • Balance Sheets
  • Budget vs. actual comparisons
  • Labor burden rates
• Lead monthly financial review meetings with senior leadership
• Analyze company performance and provide recommendations to improve profitability

Construction Accounting

• Maintain accurate job cost tracking and reporting
• Prepare and manage WIP schedules
• Ensure proper percentage‑of‑completion accounting
• Collaborate with project managers to maintain accurate cost forecasting and margin visibility

Payroll & Compliance

• Manage payroll processing including onboarding, time tracking, and compliance
• Maintain labor burden calculations and annual updates
• Prepare and pay monthly, quarterly, and annual taxes
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and company policies

Cash Management & Budgeting

• Manage company cash flow forecasting and reporting
• Collaborate with leadership on annual and preliminary budgeting
• Monitor financial performance and provide strategic recommendations
• Complete monthly bank, credit card, and vendor reconciliations
• Identify opportunities for financial process improvements and system upgrades
• Manage rental property accounting including receivables, payables, and lease oversight
• Support leadership in evaluating financial performance across divisions

Key Attributes

• High level of integrity and accountability
• Strong attention to detail and financial accuracy
• Ability to lead, teach, and elevate the accounting function
• Proactive, solution‑oriented mindset
• Strong communication skills with leadership and project teams
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands‑on execution
• Strong planning, prioritization, and organizational skills

qualifications

• 7+ years accounting experience (construction accounting strongly preferred)
• Strong knowledge of accrual accounting and WIP accounting
• Experience operating in multi-entity environments
• Strong financial analysis and reporting capabilities
• Ability to work directly with leadership and operational teams
• CPA preferred but not required

OUR CULTURE & BELIEFS

At Tongue & Groove, we believe in hard work, humble leadership, and building a culture where people thrive. We are relentlessly committed to quality, creativity, and celebrating our wins—big and small.

Warrior’s Spirit – Work hard with urgency; desire to be the best; make the numbers.

Servant’s Heart – Have a humble heart; follow the golden rule; serve the client.

Fun‑Loving Attitude – Celebrate success; enjoy your work and your teammates; don’t take yourself too seriously.

Exceptional Communication – Know what to say and what not to say; give and receive feedback freely; respond with calm, care, and creativity.

OUR BRAND PROMISE

Never compromise quality or coolness.

OUR MISSION

Imagine + Build + Live

We imagine with our clients. We build for our clients. Our clients live life without regrets.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday.
Occasional after-hours work may be required for deadlines or strategic meetings.

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Performance bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with company match
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off
• This role offers a clear growth path toward a future CFO position for the right candidate.