Construction Controller
Location: Tempe, AZThe Opportunity
We are partnering with an established and growing construction company in the East Valley seeking an experienced Construction Controller to lead its accounting and financial operations. This is a hands-on leadership role with oversight of a four-person accounting team and direct exposure to executive and operational leadership. The Controller will oversee the day-to-day accounting function while taking ownership of financial reporting, job costing, WIP, cash flow management, compliance, and financial controls. The ideal candidate will bring a strong accounting background along with leadership experience in construction, specialty contracting, manufacturing, or another project/job-cost-driven environment.
Key Responsibilities:- Lead and oversee the company's day-to-day accounting and financial operations
- Manage, mentor, and develop a team of four accounting professionals
- Oversee job cost accounting, accounts payable, contract billing, accounts receivable, and related accounting functions
- Manage and review Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules, project profitability, cost-to-complete analysis, and revenue recognition
- Ensure accurate percentage-of-completion/revenue-over-time accounting
- Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements across multiple entities
- Lead month-end and year-end close, including general ledger review, reconciliations, accruals, and journal entries
- Monitor cash flow, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and overall working capital
- Partner with operations and project leadership to analyze job costs, project performance, margins, and financial results
- Maintain and strengthen accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
- Coordinate tax filings, state licensing requirements, audits, and other compliance matters
- Assist with the review and administration of contracts, insurance policies, bonding requirements, and lien waivers
- Manage relationships with banking, insurance, bonding, tax, audit, and other external partners
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting systems, reporting, processes, and overall efficiency
- Provide financial reporting, analysis, and insight to executive leadership
Qualifications:- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field 5+ years of progressive accounting management or leadership experience
- Experience within construction, specialty contracting, manufacturing, or a similar project/job-cost environment strongly preferred
- Strong knowledge of job costing, WIP reporting, percentage-of-completion/revenue recognition, and project accounting
- Demonstrated experience managing and developing an accounting team
- Strong understanding of GAAP and financial reporting
- Experience with multi-entity accounting and financial statement preparation
- Strong knowledge of cash flow management, AP, AR, billing, and general ledger accounting
- Experience with construction ERP/accounting systems such as Spectrum/Viewpoint, Sage 300, Procore or similar platforms
- Strong Excel skills and overall systems aptitudeCPA or Certified Construction Financial Professional (CCIFP) designation preferred, but not required
What We're Looking For:
We're looking for a hands-on Controller who can effectively lead an accounting team while remaining close to the details of the business. The right person will be comfortable digging into WIP schedules, job costs, billing, financial statements, and cash flow while also partnering with executive and operational leadership to understand project performance and improve financial processes. Candidates with accounting leadership experience in construction, specialty contracting, manufacturing, or other project-based businesses are encouraged to apply.
