About this role
Why Join Collins?
As an ENR Top 500 Design Firm, Collins Engineers builds the infrastructure and connections that keep communities moving forward. Joining our team means stepping into a collaborative environment where your ideas, skills, and energy directly shape high-impact projects.
We combine big-firm resources with a close-knit culture where your voice is heard, your career growth is prioritized, and your contributions make a real difference.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced Assistant Controller to join our Corporate Accounting Team in Chicago, IL. This position offers a defined leadership succession path, with the opportunity to advance into the Controller role within approximately three years.
In this leadership role, you will oversee the day-to-day operations of the accounting department, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and timely completion of month-end and year-end close activities. As a key member of the accounting team, you will partner closely with the Controller, guide and develop accounting staff, and help drive continuous improvement across accounting processes and systems.
Whether you're an accomplished accounting leader looking to expand your strategic impact or a seasoned accounting professional ready to take the next step into a broader leadership role, Collins provides the platform and resources to help you grow while supporting an industry-leading multidisciplinary firm.
What You'll Do
- Accounting Operations & Leadership: Lead the corporate accounting team, including direct oversight of Accounts Payable and Accounting Coordinators, while establishing clear priorities, expectations, and accountability.
- Financial Reporting & Close: Oversee month-end and year-end close processes, including general ledger activity, journal entries, fixed assets, reconciliations, and preparation of financial statements and management reporting packages.
- I nternal Controls & Compliance: Operate and monitor internal control processes, support compliance with GAAP and company policies, and prepare annual indirect cost rate schedules and supporting documentation in accordance with FAR Part 31.
- Process Improvement & Systems Optimization: Evaluate accounting workflows and implement improvements that enhance efficiency, accuracy, scalability, and service quality utilizing Deltek Vantagepoint and other reporting tools.
- Leadership & Team Development: Provide coaching, mentorship, performance management, and professional development opportunities while fostering a collaborative, accountable, and service-oriented team culture.
Qualifications
What You Bring to the Team
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Licensure / Credentials: CPA designation preferred.
- Experience: 7+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership, supervision, or development of accounting staff.
- Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial reporting, general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and internal controls.
- Experience with FAR Part 31 compliance, indirect cost rate calculations, and Department of Transportation submissions preferred.
- Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or similar project-based ERP systems preferred.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and financial reporting tools.
- Mindset: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent attention to detail, effective communication skills, high integrity, and a proven ability to lead through collaboration, coaching, and accountability.
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation package with comprehensive Benefits (https://www.collinsengr.com/benefits/) (health, vision, dental, 401k match, and paid time off).
- Clear pathways for professional development, licensure support, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement.
- Defined career advancement opportunity with a planned succession path to Controller within approximately three years for a high-performing candidate.
- A supportive, team-oriented work environment that values work-life balance.