Controller
ghj · Los Angeles, CA · onsite
USD 180,000 to 200,000 · period not stated
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.
Why Join?:
- Employee-Owned Company: Join an established, ESOP-owned business with a strong presence in the specialty construction industry.
- Meaningful Business Impact: Help leadership understand project profitability, labor costs, and where operational improvements can drive stronger margins.
- Financially Established Organization: Join a profitable business with a substantial project backlog and continued opportunities for growth.
- Opportunity to Modernize: Lead improvements to financial reporting, accounting systems, job costing, and operational processes.
- Collaborative Leadership: Work directly with an experienced Fractional CFO and partner with operations to support better financial decision-making.
- Broad Ownership: Take on a leadership role that combines hands-on accounting, team development, systems implementation, and strategic financial analysis.