Controller – Construction Accounting

About the role

Our client, a construction‑focused organization in Rochester, Michigan, seeks an experienced Controller to lead core accounting functions. The role is initially contract‑to‑permanent and centers on job costing, percentage‑of‑completion accounting, and accurate client revenue recognition for project‑based work.

Key responsibilities

• Direct daily financial activities including billing, AP, AR, payroll, ledger maintenance, and cash oversight.
• Produce weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual financial reports with analysis tied to company and project performance.
• Manage project accounting: client invoicing, expense allocation, revenue assignment, retainage tracking, and percentage‑of‑completion calculations.
• Monitor job profitability, evaluate cost‑to‑complete estimates, budget variances, and WIP activity, and communicate findings to leadership.
• Partner with project managers and estimators to align billing schedules, contract values, change orders, and budgets.
• Strengthen job cost accounting procedures, internal controls, and accounting policies.
• Oversee compliance related to taxes, licensing, contracts, insurance, bonding, and lien waivers.
• Lead month‑end close and full‑cycle bookkeeping, ensuring accurate reconciliation.
• Support annual planning by preparing budgets, KPIs, scorecards, and cash‑flow forecasts.
• Guide and mentor accounting staff while collaborating with ownership, sales, operations, and project leadership.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of accounting experience, with substantial exposure to construction or manufacturing environments.
• Proven background in construction accounting, job costing, project billing and contract financial oversight.
• Strong understanding of work‑in‑progress reporting, retainage, and percentage‑of‑completion revenue recognition.
• Experience handling month‑end close and full‑cycle bookkeeping.

Required skills

• Proficiency with QuickBooks Online.
• Advanced working knowledge of Microsoft Excel for reporting and analysis.