Controller
An established and growing specialty construction company is seeking an experienced Controller to lead its accounting operations and provide financial leadership across the organization. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Controller is responsible for the day-to-day management of the accounting function, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, maintaining strong internal controls, and developing a high-performing accounting team.
This individual will oversee all accounting operations while serving as a strategic partner to the CFO by providing financial analysis, supporting budgeting and forecasting activities, and ensuring compliance with regulatory, tax, and industry-specific requirements. The ideal candidate combines technical accounting expertise with exceptional organizational leadership and a continuous improvement mindset.
About the Position:
Location: San Jose, California (On-Site)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $155,000 – $175,000 / annually – plus year end bonuses tied to profits
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer
Direct Reports: Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll Teams
Primary Responsibilities
The Controller will lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements, reconciliations, and supporting schedules. They will maintain the integrity of the general ledger, chart of accounts, and all accounting records while ensuring compliance with generally accepted accounting principles.
This role is responsible for overseeing construction accounting activities, including work-in-progress (WIP) reporting, job costing, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition under ASC 606, retention accounting, and project margin analysis. The Controller will work closely with project management and operational leadership to ensure financial information accurately reflects project performance and proactively identify variances requiring management attention.
The Controller will supervise the Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll teams, establishing clear expectations, developing staff, improving workflows, and fostering accountability throughout the department. Building scalable accounting processes and reducing operational risk through documented procedures and strong internal controls will be a key responsibility.
In partnership with the CFO, the Controller will support the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts, cash flow reporting, and executive financial reporting. The position prepares daily cash reporting, budget-to-actual analyses, variance explanations, and other financial information necessary for executive decision making.
The Controller will also oversee compliance activities including sales and use tax filings, payroll tax reporting, certified payroll, prevailing wage requirements, union payroll administration, trust fund reporting, insurance payroll audits, borrowing base reporting, and financial audit preparation. This individual will coordinate closely with external auditors, tax advisors, insurance providers, lenders, and other financial partners while ensuring all required documentation is accurate and timely.
The Controller serves as the primary administrator of the company’s accounting systems and financial reporting tools, ensuring system integrity, identifying process improvements, and supporting technology enhancements that improve reporting efficiency and operational effectiveness.
Qualifications
The successful candidate will possess a bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline, along with a minimum of seven years of progressive accounting experience, including at least three years in a Controller or senior accounting leadership role. Construction industry accounting experience is required, with specialty subcontractor experience strongly preferred.
Candidates should demonstrate deep expertise in job cost accounting, work-in-progress reporting, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, financial statement preparation, budgeting support, internal controls, and accounting operations management. Experience leading Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and Payroll teams is essential.
Strong proficiency with ERP accounting systems is required, along with advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience utilizing construction management software. Experience supporting external audits, lender reporting, insurance audits, and tax compliance is highly desirable. CPA certification or equivalent professional experience is preferred.
Professional Attributes
The ideal candidate is a highly organized and detail-oriented accounting leader who thrives in a fast-paced construction environment. They possess excellent analytical skills, exercise sound judgment, communicate effectively with executives and operational leaders, and have a proven ability to build strong teams while maintaining a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
This individual is equally comfortable leading accounting operations, improving financial processes, and partnering with executive leadership to support strategic growth. They bring integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering accurate financial information that enables informed business decisions.
