Controller

Strategic Mission Critical • Phoenix, AZ

16d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Controller works as part of the Accounting and Finance Team and is responsible for closely monitoring the financial health of a mid-sized engineering services firm. The controller is based at the PHX headquarters and works closely with the executive team to guide the organization's financial decisions. Communicates regularly with the executive management team. The role is responsible for managing the accounting team, overseeing month-end close, GAAP compliance, and providing leadership in budgeting, forecasting and project profitability analysis.

Requirements

• 7-10 years related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Bachelors Degree in Accounting (CPA Preferred)
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, revenue recognition, project accounting and job cost principals.
• Proven ability to manage a small team in a mid-sized business (100-500 employees)
• Emphasis in problem solving and analytical thinking.
• Experience with Microsoft tools such as Word, Outlook, Excel, Teams, and Power Point.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in professional services, engineering, architecture, or construction industry strongly preferred.
• Preference for expertise in professional services ERP/Accounting platforms (eltek, BST, Unanet)
• Experience using construction management tools such as Procore and Autodesk Construction Cloud.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage all aspects of the accounting department and functions, with a focus on building an accounting team internally that can properly and efficiently support firm growth with reliable processes and reporting.
• Maintain the chart of accounts and an orderly electronic filing system.
• Maintain the general ledger and post daily deposit and withdrawal transactions. Ensure transactions have been properly authorized and posted to the correct general ledger accounts (e.g., capital expenditures).
• Establish, maintain, and periodically evaluate the internal control system. Make recommendations on process improvements and help manage implementation.
• Supervise the accounts receivable and work-in-process functions. Receive feedback from project managers on job progress and collections, and assist them where needed.
• Supervise the accounts payable function to ensure invoices are posted to the general ledger as they arrive (to facilitate cash flow assessment) and are paid timely, that discounts are being utilized, and proper paperwork is being maintained including purchase orders. Review vendor master files/setup for appropriateness (account specifications such as the discount policy and Forms W-9). Review and reconcile vendor statements.
• Facilitate upper management with financial analysis (e.g., cash flow management, forecasting, job profitability, variance analysis) and report production on a timely basis, and in conjunction with any recurring report schedules.
• Manage relationships with outside service providers, lenders/lessors, and regulators, and assist the leadership team with evaluating pricing and risk.
• Coordinate information exchanges and processes with key advisors such as the CPA firm, law firm, and payroll/benefits service providers.
• Coordinate and manage software process improvements with the software provider.
• Manage compliance in various state and local jurisdictions.
• Manage the bi-weekly payroll activity processed by ADP, after review of the payroll register to confirm names and amounts.
• Oversee 401(k) and cafeteria plan processing and accounting.
• Review WIP with project managers to ensure billable hours and expenses are posted properly.
• Analyze companies’ cash flow requirements for the coming weeks.
• Perform monthly adjusting entries and reconciliations and close the general ledger by the 7th of the succeeding month.
• Assist upper management in analyzing company and office performance against benchmarks (i.e. budgets, historical performance, industry KPIs) and with forecasting.
• Monitor debt levels and compliance with debt covenants if applicable.
• Oversee the preparation and dispatch of monthly customer statements.
• Manage and prepare fillings such as sales tax.
• Manage revenue, fixed asset, and payroll reporting information by state.
• Review and reconcile quarterly payroll tax filings (prepared by ADP) with the general ledger.
• Coordinate the provision of information to the outside CPA firm and processing of the annual financial statements and tax returns (income and 1099).

Benefits

• 36-hour standard work week
• Hybrid working arrangement
• 13 paid holidays
• 100% coverage of medical, health, and dental insurance premiums for our full-time employees
• Reimbursement of professional licensing costs
• Spouse and family insurance premiums are subsidized by SMC
• Employer-sponsored life and long-term disability insurance
• Participation in our 401(k) plan, with annual safe harbor contribution

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level