Controller

1. Role Summary

The Operational / Project Financial Controller is responsible for end-to-end financial control and operational accounting for a services-based, project-driven organization operating under the Completed-Contract Method (CCM). The role bridges accounting rigor and service delivery execution, ensuring revenues, costs, prepayments, and margins are recognized accurately, timely, and in compliance with GAAP.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The Controller owns the financial integrity of client engagements and serves as the financial gatekeeper between operations and executive leadership.

2. Core Objectives

• GAAP-compliant completed-contract accounting • Prevention of premature revenue or cost recognition
• Real-time project-level financial visibility
• Margin, cash flow, and execution risk control
• Audit-ready documentation
• Elimination of post-completion surprises

3. Key Responsibilities

Project Accounting & CCM • Enforce completed-contract accounting
• Defer revenue and costs until completion
• Identify loss contracts early

Budgeting & Cost Control (Services)
• Project-level actual vs budget vs committed reporting
• Track original budget, change orders, revised budget
• Adjust budgets only for approved change orders
• Explain variance drivers, not just numbers

Prepayments & Deferrals
• Manage deferred revenue and prepaid expenses

Monthly Close & Reporting
• Own project accounting close
• Reconcile subledgers to GL
• Deliver executive-ready variance narratives

Controls & Audit Readiness
• Enforce contract, budget, and commitment controls
• Support audits

Systems & Process Improvement
• Own project accounting workflows

4. Required Skills

• Clear understanding of committed costs

• Completed-contract accounting experience
• Deferral and prepayment expertise
• Budget vs actual vs committed analysis
• Advanced Excel skills
• Professional backbone
• Strong internal control discipline

5. Required Monthly Project Reporting Package

Each active project must include: • Project overview
• Original budget, approved change orders, revised budget
• Actual costs, committed costs, cost-to-complete
• Variance analysis with written explanations
• Identified risks and corrective actions

6. Mandatory Variance Taxonomy

• Scope • Rate
• Hours / productivity
• Mix
• Timing
• One-time items

7. Change Order Accounting & Controls

• No budget revisions without approved change orders • Original budgets are never overwritten
• Change orders must quantify scope, revenue, cost, and margin
• Revised budgets must reconcile mathematically

8. Responsibility Split – Operations vs Finance

Operations owns scope, staffing, delivery, and operational explanations.
Finance owns financial integrity, budgets, committed costs, variance analysis, and escalation.

Disputes are resolved using facts, documentation, and GAAP.

#

Benefits

- Top salary
- Medical, dental plan
- Opportunity for career advancement
- Collaborative team environment that values multiple perspectives and fresh thinking
- Casual dress code