Controller

About the role

GHJ Search and Staffing serves as the recruitment division of GHJ, a prominent national accounting and advisory firm. Our team provides qualified Accounting and Finance professionals on a temporary and permanent basis across a broad range of industries. GHJ’s relationship with our Global Advisory and Accounting Network provides the resources needed to better understand client’s needs, attract a higher caliber of candidates and assess candidate potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee daily accounting operations, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll accounting, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Lead the transition from quarterly to monthly close, ensuring accurate and timely financial statements.
• Manage construction job costing, WIP 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 to support 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 the 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.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including financial reporting and accounting operations leadership.
• Construction accounting experience required, preferably in commercial construction or specialty contracting.
• 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 new accounting systems, improving processes, or leading operational changes.
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to explain financial information to nonfinancial stakeholders.
• CPA preferred; experience in fire protection, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, or electrical contracting is a plus.