Controller / Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Position Summary
The Controller/CFO is responsible for the financial leadership of the company while serving as a key member of the executive management team. This position oversees all accounting, financial reporting, cash management, budgeting, banking relationships, human resources, payroll administration, risk management, and regulatory compliance.
In a small construction company, this is a hands-on position requiring both strategic financial leadership and day-to-day operational execution.
Reports To: President/CEO
Supervises: Accounting Staff, Payroll, Office Administration, and Human Resources functions.
Primary Responsibilities
Financial Leadership
- Lead the company's financial planning and long-term strategy.
- Develop annual operating budgets and financial forecasts.
- Monitor profitability by project and department.
- Analyze key financial metrics and recommend corrective actions.
- Prepare monthly executive financial reports.
- Present financial results to ownership.
- Aid Owner in banking relationships and financing arrangements.
- Develop financial policies and internal controls.
Accounting & Financial Reporting
- Oversee all accounting functions.
- Ensure accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
- Maintain the general ledger.
- Manage month-end and year-end closing.
- Coordinate annual CPA review or audit.
- Coordinate tax strategy planning with CPA
- Prepare work papers for tax returns.
- Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable.
- Maintain fixed asset schedules.
- Monitor job costing and percentage-of-completion accounting.
- Reconcile all bank accounts and balance sheet accounts.
Construction Accounting
- Monitor project budgets and cost reports.
- Review Constuction-in-progress (CIP) schedules.
- Oversee billing, retainage, and collections.
- Analyze labor burden and overhead allocations.
- Review project profitability.
- Ensure proper revenue recognition.
- Monitor change orders and contract modifications.
- Review subcontractor compliance prior to payment.
- Oversee lien waiver procedures.
- Ensure customer close out summary books or electronic records are distributed
Cash Management
- Manage operating lines of credit.
- Optimize working capital.
- Monitor collections.
- Approve payment schedules.
- Maintain banking compliance.
- Manage vendor relationships.
- Review capital expenditures.
Payroll & Benefits Administration
- Oversee payroll processing.
- Ensure prevailing wage compliance.
- Review certified payroll requirements.
- Maintain payroll tax compliance.
- Oversee employee benefits administration.
- Coordinate annual benefit renewals.
- Manage retirement plan administration.
- Manage multistate rules and regulations for employees
Vendor Management
- Maintain vendor on line relationships.
- Avetta – Prologis
- VendorCafé – Faropoint
- VendorCafé - Ares
- Ensure compliance with Vendors requirements
- Review contracts for adherence to client requirements.
- Handle vendor special requests as needed.
Human Resources Responsibilities
Recruitment & Hiring
- Aid in recruitment efforts where needed
- Aid in Job Descriptions where needed
- Conduct reference checks.
- Prepare employment offers.
- Coordinate onboarding.
Employee Relations
- Maintain employee personnel files.
- Maintain company policies.
- Coordinate disciplinary documentation.
- Assist management with employee relations.
- Maintain confidentiality of employee information.
Compliance
- Ensure compliance with:
- Federal labor laws
- State employment regulations
- OSHA documentation requirements
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations
- I-9 and E-Verify requirements (if applicable)
- Wage and Hour regulations
- Family and Medical Leave laws (as applicable)
- Workers' Compensation reporting
Benefits Administration
- Coordinate benefit enrollment.
- Administer retirement plans.
- Assist employees with benefit questions.
- Coordinate annual open enrollment.
Risk Management
- Manage insurance renewals.
- Coordinate workers' compensation claims.
- Monitor general liability claims.
- Maintain bonding relationships.
- Review certificates of insurance.
- Manage subcontractor insurance compliance.
- Coordinate annual insurance audits.
Compliance & Corporate Administration
- Maintain corporate records.
- Coordinate annual business registrations.
- Maintain contractor licenses.
- Manage business insurance policies.
- Ensure compliance with government contracting requirements.
- Coordinate annual reporting requirements.
- Maintain document retention policies.
Information Technology
- Coordinate accounting software administration.
- Maintain financial system security.
- Oversee accounting software updates.
- Coordinate with IT vendors.
- Manage electronic document storage.
- Assist with cybersecurity best practices.
Strategic Responsibilities
- Participate in executive planning.
- Identify operational efficiencies.
- Develop key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Assist with business development analysis.
- Evaluate capital investments.
- Support acquisitions or expansion initiatives.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration.
- CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience.
- Minimum 5 years in commercial construction accounting.
- Strong knowledge of:
- GAAP
- Percentage-of-completion accounting
- WIP reporting
- Job costing
- Construction contracts
- Payroll and prevailing wage requirements
- Experience with QuickBooks, Sage 300 CRE, or similar construction accounting software.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
Preferred Experience
- Government contracting (Federal, State, or Municipal)
- Davis-Bacon and certified payroll
- AIA billing
- G702/G703 applications
- SDVOSB or SBA contracting
- Bonded construction projects
- Multi-state payroll and tax compliance
- Human Resources and benefits administration
Core Competencies
- Financial Leadership
- Strategic Thinking
- Integrity and Confidentiality
- Strong Communication Skills
- Leadership and Team Development
- Analytical Problem Solving
- Organizational Excellence
- Risk Management
- Project Management
- Customer Service
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Monthly financial statements completed within 10 business days.
- Positive cash flow management.
- Accounts receivable aging maintained within company targets.
- Payroll processed accurately and on time.
- Zero missed tax filings.
- Successful annual CPA review or audit.
- Timely insurance renewals.
- Accurate project profitability reporting.
- Improved working capital and financial performance.
Position Classification
Status: Full-Time, Exempt
Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus performance-based bonus and benefits.
