VP Of Finance / Controller

Aston Carter; United States; Hybrid; USD 99,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Time Off / PTO

HSA

Job summary

Aston Carter is helping a fast-growing engineering firm recruit a hands-on Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, payroll, benefits, and HR operations from La Grange, IL. The role partners with ownership to drive financial performance and growth, with a clear path to broader leadership.

The ideal candidate has 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, GAAP proficiency, and project-based accounting expertise. CPA is a plus; Deltek ERP experience strongly preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience.
• Experience leading month end close and preparing financial statements.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting.
• Experience with project-based accounting, job costing, and revenue recognition.
• Experience in architecture, engineering, construction, consulting, or other project-based professional services environments.
• Experience with payroll, benefits, and HR administration preferred.
• Deltek Vantagepoint, Deltek Vision, or similar ERP experience strongly preferred.
• CPA preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and month end close.
• Manage project accounting, job costing, project billing, revenue recognition, and profitability reporting.
• Prepare monthly financial statements, forecasts, cash flow reporting, and financial analysis.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and annual planning activities.
• Coordinate audits, tax filings, and external financial reporting requirements.
• Maintain banking relationships and monitor company cash flow.
• Partner with ownership and department leaders to provide financial insights and operational recommendations.
• Analyze project profitability and business performance trends.
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, controls, and accounting processes.
• Support ongoing process improvement and system optimization initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Payroll

HR administration

GAAP knowledge

Project accounting

Revenue recognition

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

Deltek Vantagepoint

Deltek Vision

Job description

VP of Finance / Controller

Fast-Growing Engineering Firm

Our client is a growing engineering and design firm seeking a hands on Controller to lead accounting, financial reporting, payroll, benefits, and HR operations. This role serves as a key member of the leadership team, partnering directly with ownership to support financial performance, operational efficiency, and continued growth.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Controller or an Accounting Manager ready to step into a larger leadership role.

Accounting & Finance

• Oversee all accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, reconciliations, and month end close
• Manage project accounting, job costing, project billing, revenue recognition, and profitability reporting
• Prepare monthly financial statements, forecasts, cash flow reporting, and financial analysis
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and annual planning activities
• Coordinate audits, tax filings, and external financial reporting requirements
• Maintain banking relationships and monitor company cash flow

Leadership & Business Partnership

• Partner with ownership and department leaders to provide financial insights and operational recommendations
• Analyze project profitability and business performance trends
• Identify opportunities to improve reporting, controls, and accounting processes
• Support ongoing process improvement and system optimization initiatives

Payroll, Benefits & HR

• Oversee biweekly payroll processing and related compliance activities
• Manage employee benefits administration, open enrollment, and leave tracking
• Support onboarding, personnel records, and employee lifecycle processes
• Partner with leadership on HR administration, policy management, and employee relations matters
• Coordinate workers compensation and insurance programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience
• Experience leading month end close and preparing financial statements
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and financial reporting
• Experience with project based accounting, job costing, and revenue recognition
• within architecture, engineering, construction, consulting, or another project based professional services environment
• Experience with payroll, benefits, and HR administration preferred
• Deltek Vantagepoint, Deltek Vision, or similar ERP experience strongly preferred
• CPA preferred but not required

Why Join?

• Visible leadership role with direct access to ownership
• Opportunity to influence accounting, finance, HR, and operational processes
• Stable and growing organization with a collaborative culture
• Hybrid work environment with flexibility
• Strong transition support from the outgoing Controller
• Long term opportunity to build processes and make a meaningful impact on the business

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of La Grange, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $72.00 - $81.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:Medical, dental & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in La Grange,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 2026.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.