Senior Construction Controller — WIP, Forecasting, GAAP

The Quest Organization; New Jersey; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Quest Organization in New Jersey seeks a seasoned Controller to lead accounting operations for its Construction and Service divisions. The role demands deep experience with percentage-of-completion, WIP, AIA billing, and project profitability, plus strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

You will oversee AR/AP, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, internal controls, and financial reporting, ensuring GAAP compliance and system integrity across Sage 300 CRE, ServiceTrade, Procore,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7–10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3–5+ years as a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior construction-accounting leader.
• Strong construction accounting experience, including percentage-of-completion, WIP, job costing, AIA billing, retainage, change orders, and cost-to-complete forecasting.
• Strong knowledge of AR, AP, purchasing, inventory, payroll, cash management, budgeting, and financial reporting.
• Advanced Excel and financial-reporting skills.
• Proven experience leading, supervising, and developing accounting teams.
• CPA or CMA preferred.
• Experience in fire protection, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, specialty contracting, or commercial construction preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead accounting operations, month-end close, financial reporting, and GAAP-compliant accounting for Construction and Service divisions.
• Manage construction accounting, including percentage-of-completion, WIP reporting, job costing, cost-to-complete forecasting, AIA billing, change orders, retainage, and project profitability.
• Oversee Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, purchasing controls, inventory accounting, payroll, and collections.
• Prepare and manage 13-week cash-flow forecasts, daily cash reporting, banking activity, debt, and working-capital management.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, and departmental reporting.
• Establish and enforce strong internal controls, accounting policies, compliance procedures, and fraud-prevention measures.
• Supervise, develop, and hold the accounting team accountable while partnering with Project Management, Estimating, Purchasing, Warehouse, Service Operations, HR, and executive leadership.
• Oversee financial systems, including Sage 300 CRE, ServiceTrade, Procore, Paylocity, Microsoft 365, and Excel, and improve system integration and reporting accuracy.

Skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Team management

GAAP knowledge

Education

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

Tools

Sage 300 CRE

ServiceTrade

Procore

Paylocity

Microsoft 365

Excel

Job description

The Quest Organization in New Jersey seeks a seasoned Controller to lead accounting operations for its Construction and Service divisions. The role demands deep experience with percentage-of-completion, WIP, AIA billing, and project profitability, plus strong leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

You will oversee AR/AP, budgeting, cash flow forecasting, internal controls, and financial reporting, ensuring GAAP compliance and system integrity across Sage 300 CRE, ServiceTrade, Procore,