Controller

GHJ • Los Angeles, CA

20d • $180,000 - $200,000

About The Position

An established, employee-owned specialty construction company is seeking an experienced Controller to lead accounting operations and strengthen financial reporting, job costing, and project profitability analysis. This hands-on finance leadership role focuses on improving processes, implementing new systems, and turning financial data into actionable insights that influence business performance.

Reporting to the company's Fractional CFO, the Controller will oversee accounting operations and work closely with operational leadership to improve visibility into labor costs, overhead, inventory, and project margins. The role will lead the transition from quarterly to monthly financial close, support implementation of new accounting software, and supervise an Accounting Manager. The position also collaborates with the Fractional CFO on financial analysis, reporting, and ESOP-related accounting.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including financial reporting and accounting operations leadership.
• Construction accounting experience; commercial construction or specialty contracting experience is preferred.
• Strong expertise in job costing, WIP reporting, and project profitability analysis.
• Hands-on experience with inventory accounting, labor burden rates, and overhead allocation.
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, revenue recognition, and financial close processes.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with accounting or ERP systems.
• Experience implementing accounting systems, improving processes, or leading operational changes.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, including the ability to explain financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• CPA preferred.
• Experience in fire protection, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical contracting is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Lead the transition from quarterly to monthly close and ensure accurate, timely financial statements.
• Manage construction job costing, work-in-progress reporting, cost-to-complete estimates, and percentage-of-completion accounting.
• Analyze project profitability, labor costs, and margins to identify inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Develop and maintain fully burdened labor rates for engineering, shop, and field operations.
• Evaluate overhead coverage and provide financial insights for project bidding, pricing, and operational decisions.
• Oversee inventory accounting, valuation, reconciliations, and internal controls.
• Partner with project managers and estimators to improve cost tracking and project financial performance.
• Support implementation of new accounting software and improvements to financial reporting processes.
• Supervise and develop the Accounting Manager while supporting organizational change and process improvements.
• Collaborate with the Fractional CFO on financial analysis, reporting, and ESOP-related accounting.

Benefits

• Employee ownership through an ESOP-owned company.
• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact on business performance and operational improvements.
• Opportunity to lead improvements to financial reporting, accounting systems, job costing, and operational processes.
• Collaborative work with an experienced Fractional CFO and operations leadership.
• Broad leadership responsibilities across accounting, team development, systems implementation, and strategic financial analysis.

What This Job Offers

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