Controller

BOWA•McLean, VA

About The Position

BOWA is looking for a Controller to join our finance team, reporting to the President & CFO. You’ll take ownership of the full accounting function (GL, AP, AR, Billing, and Payroll) and lead the finance team from day one. The first 60-90 days focus on learning our close process, billing cycle, and Sage 300 CRE, and on getting to know our people and project teams, so you can lead from a place of understanding rather than imposing change. BOWA recently became an ESOP company, and this role is central to how we operate in that structure. You’ll work closely with the CFO on ESOP accounting, trustee and lender relationships, and the financial transparency an employee-owned company depends on. Deep ESOP expertise isn’t required on day one, but curiosity and a willingness to build it are. Whether you’re a licensed CPA or on the path to one, you’ll have real ownership, a seat at the leadership table, and the opportunity to shape the finance function as we scale.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in accounting and 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including prior supervisory or management experience
Construction or project-based industry experience strongly preferred.
Experience with Sage 300 CRE (or similar project accounting software) strongly preferred; ramp-up time provided for strong candidates from other systems.
Working knowledge of WIP reporting, job costing, and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition.
Strong Excel skills and comfort with (or interest in) AI-assisted tools (e.g., Claude, Claude Cowork, ChatGPT).
Detail-oriented, strong communicator, discreet with sensitive information, and a genuine fit with BOWA’s ownership-minded ESOP culture.

Nice To Haves

CPA license preferred; candidates actively pursuing licensure with strong relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Lead the Accounting Function & Finance Team
Own Month-End Close & Financial Reporting
Oversee Client Billing & Revenue Cycle
Strengthen Accounting Systems, Controls & Processes
Serve as Principal Financial Partner to Division Leaders
Support ESOP, Audit & CFO-Level Financial Needs
Manage the Finance Department (GL, AP, AR, Billing, and Payroll), setting expectations, developing team members, and building a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Serve as a thought partner and backup to the President & CFO, with the ability to step in on CFO-level responsibilities as needed.
Own the month-end close end-to-end (journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, close checklist), delivering to deadline each month and continually working to shorten the close cycle.
Review and approve financial statements prior to CFO review, ensure the integrity of the GL and chart of accounts in Sage 300 CRE, and resolve reconciliation variances proactively.
Oversee WIP schedules, over/under billing analysis, and revenue recognition to ensure accuracy for percentage-of-completion reporting.
Ensure client billing accuracy and timeliness, partnering with project teams to confirm alignment with contract terms and job status.
Monitor AR aging and cash flow to keep DSO on target, and streamline the billing cycle as the business scales.
Serve as the team’s expert on Sage 300 CRE, documenting key workflows (close checklist, billing steps, payroll inputs) and driving system improvements.
Design, implement, and maintain internal controls that protect the company and support clean audits.
Oversee payroll review (commission, bonus, salary, 401(k)) and identify automation opportunities that reduce manual work, including through AI-assisted tools.
Act as the primary contact for division leaders on job costing, budget-to-actual, forecasting, and financial reporting, building trust so accounting is viewed as a strategic partner, not just a back-office function.
Manage ESOP-related accounting mechanics (e.g., debt service flows between BOWA and the ESOP Trust) under the CFO’s direction.
Coordinate annual audit/review, tax, and year-end processes with outside CPAs, and manage requests from auditors, lenders, bonding companies, and the ESOP Trustee’s advisors.
Prepare ad hoc analysis, budgets, and forecasts for the CFO and leadership team.
Direct supervision of the Finance team, including hiring, performance management, and professional development.