Sector/Divisional Controller - Utilities & Rail

LJA; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Time Off

Comprehensive Benefits

Paid maternity and parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Referral Bonuses

Company-sponsored volunteer days

Memberships to industry organizations

Career Growth opportunities

Fun Culture

Job summary

LJA, located in Katy, Texas, is seeking a Sector/Divisional Controller to oversee project accounting for Utilities & Rail sectors within an $800 million organization. This pivotal role involves collaborating with various teams to manage $125M-$150M in annual revenue.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in project-accounting, proven leadership capabilities, and a solid understanding of accounting principles to ensure compliance and efficiency within a multi-state operation.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience with leadership responsibility.
• Experience in project-based accounting within architecture or engineering sectors.
• Strong knowledge of internal control practices.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project accounting operations for Utilities and Rail sectors.
• Monitor project performance including backlog and cost overruns.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and U.S. GAAP.

Skills

Project lifecycle accounting

Leadership and team development

Financial reporting

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Education

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

CPA certification

Tools

ERP Systems

Excel

Job description

Overview

LJA is offering an exciting opportunity that will allow you to reach your full career potential. The structure of our organization is designed to amplify your capabilities while gaining the benefits of being an employee-owner. What truly sets this opportunity apart is the chance to collaborate every day with dedicated, skilled, and supportive leaders. Whether you are in the office, in the field, or behind the scenes, working at LJA gives you the chance to grow through hands-on experience and exposure to a broad range of clients and services.

What Makes LJA Different

At LJA, our employee-owners take pride in their work and their workplace. We’re guided by leaders who foster a culture of respect, collaboration and a shared vision of success. Our difference is evident in the experiences and opportunities we provide:

• Employee-owned. Client-focused
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Consistently ranked as a Top Workplace
• Internal recruitment team, in-house training, and a marketing department specific to our industry
• We celebrate flexibility, allowing every team and office to lead with their proven approach
• Our culture champions continuous learning and personal growth
• We believe success comes through constant evolution and communication
• We are passionate about having fun and making money, all while creating impact

Position Overview

As the Sector/Divisional Controller – Utilities & Rail, you will be responsible for overseeing all project accounting across a portfolio of construction-focused subsidiaries within a ~ $800 million organization. This role acts as a key business partner to sector operational leadership, project managers, and corporate finance overseeing approximately $125M-$150M in annual revenue. Reporting to the Corporate Controller, this role is responsible for the integrity of sector financial reporting, month-end close activities, project accounting oversight, billing and collections coordination, balance sheet reconciliations, internal controls, and compliance with company policies and U.S. GAAP. The Sector/Divisional Controller will help drive consistency, visibility, and financial discipline across a multi-state AEC operating environment while developing a high-performing accounting team.

A Typical Day Might Include

• Lead day-to-day project accounting operations for the Utilities and Rail sectors, including month-end close, account reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Partner with sector leaders and project managers to monitor project performance, including backlog, work in process, unbilled receivables, write-offs, change orders, and cost overruns.
• Ensure proper accounting and reporting associated with retainage, mobilization and contract billing structures.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of sector-level financial statements, management reports, variance analyses, and other decision-support reporting for the Corporate Controller and business leadership.
• Support bonding capacity requirements through accurate financial reporting.
• Assist with implementation of ERP systems and software, including access, design and setup as needed.
• Lead or support integration of newly acquired subsidiaries, including alignment of accounting practices and procedures.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and standard operating procedures to support compliance, consistency, and scalability across multiple states and operating units.
• Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, responding to requests, and ensuring documentation is complete and accurate.
• Collaborate with tax, payroll, AP, AR, and corporate accounting teams on cross-functional issues, including intercompany activity, allocations, and process improvements.
• Coach, develop, and review the work of 10-15 project accountants and accounting staff supporting the Utilities and Rail sectors.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, data quality, automation, and workflow efficiency within the accounting function.
• Perform other accounting leadership duties and special projects as assigned.

Required Education / Licenses / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
• CPA strongly preferred

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership responsibility in a controller, assistant controller, accounting manager, or similar role
• Experience in the architecture, engineering, consulting, construction, or broader professional services environment, with strong understanding of project-based accounting
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multi-entity or multi-state accounting operations and applying sound internal control practices
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, account reconciliations, audit support, and compliance requirements
• Deep understanding of project lifecycle accounting, including revenue recognition, billing, collections, backlog, work in process, and project profitability analysis
• Ability to translate financial data into actionable insights for operational leaders and executive stakeholders
• Proven leadership, coaching, and team development capabilities, with strong communication and cross-functional partnership skills
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and experience with ERP and project accounting systems used in the AEC or professional services industry
• Preferred systems experience includes BST, UNANET, Deltek, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Trimble Spectrum/Viewpoint or similar ERP and project accounting platforms used in the AEC industry

Level Up with LJA

At LJA, we’re 100% employee-owned. This drives results, rewards ambition and supports long-term success for every team member. With almost 100 locations and 3,000+ employee-owners (and growing), we’re building something big! We want you to be part of it. Your future grows here.

• Generous Time Off: PTO, paid holidays, and a full office closure between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Multiple plan options for health, dental, and pets. Along with mental health support.
• Family Support: Paid maternity and parental leave to help you focus on what matters most.
• Education Support: Tuition reimbursement and in-house courses provided by our Learning and Development team.
• Referral Bonuses: Know great talent? Get rewarded for helping us grow.
• Community Impact: Company-sponsored volunteer days and philanthropic initiatives.
• Professional Development: Memberships to industry organizations to keep you connected and growing.
• Career Growth: Great internal mobility opportunities to advance your career.
• Fun Culture: LJA social events, employee sports teams, bring your kid to work day, etc.

To Executive Search Firms & Staffing Agencies: LJA Engineering, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes from any agencies that have not signed a service agreement. All unsolicited resumes will be considered LJA's property. This includes resumes submitted directly to hiring managers without contacting LJA's Human Resources Talent Department.