Controller

JOB DESCRIPTION

POSITION SUMMARY
The Controller is a hands-on accounting professional responsible for performing and coordinating the day-to-day financial activities of Carroll Daniel Engineering. The role prepares financial reports, maintains project and general ledger accounting, supports cash management and payroll activities, and provides timely financial information to engineering leadership.
This position provides functional oversight, work direction, and quality review for assigned accounting staff, shared-service partners, and outside vendors. The Controller is expected to personally complete key accounting deliverables, establish priorities, monitor deadlines, and ensure work is accurate and complete.
The role requires a strong understanding of project-based professional services accounting, including labor utilization, project profitability, revenue recognition, backlog, contract terms, subconsultant costs, overhead, and work-in-progress. The Controller works closely with engineering operations to improve project financial visibility and support sound business decisions.

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Reporting and General Accounting
• Prepare the monthly financial statement package and supporting schedules for Carroll Daniel Engineering.
• Perform and coordinate month-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and variance review.
• Maintain accurate general ledger, intercompany, fixed asset, prepaid expense, and balance sheet records.
• Prepare management reports that clearly explain financial results, trends, risks, and significant variances.
• Support annual financial statement reviews and audits
• Maintain compliance with GAAP, company accounting policies, internal controls, and applicable federal and multistate requirements.

Engineering Project Accounting and Analysis
• Maintain project accounting records for engineering and professional services contracts
• Review work-in-progress, unbilled revenue, deferred revenue, project accruals, and revenue recognition adjustments for accuracy.
• Reconcile subconsultant commitments, pass-through expenses, reimbursable costs, and project-specific vendor charges.
• Provide practical financial guidance to improve forecasting, billing, and project profitability.

Budgeting, Forecasting, and Operational Support
• Assist leadership with annual budgets, periodic forecasts, and the five-year financial plan.
• Compare actual results to budgets and forecasts and work with department leaders to understand and address variances.
• Support development and monitoring of indirect cost rates, overhead allocation methods, and department-level financial targets.
• Provide financial information for proposals, contract negotiations, strategic initiatives, and operational reviews as requested.

Billing, Receivables, Cash Management, and Payroll Support
• Coordinate timely and accurate client billing in accordance with contract requirements, project progress, and approved fee schedules.
• Monitor accounts receivable aging and work with project managers to resolve billing issues and improve collections.
• Perform or review bank reconciliations, cash activity, account transfers, and short-term liquidity reporting.
• Assist with year-end payroll reporting and multistate payroll and tax compliance activities.
• Maintain effective controls over cash receipts, disbursements, vendor payments, and employee expense reimbursements.

Accounting Systems and Process Improvement
• Maintain accounting and project-management system data used for engineering project reporting, billing, and financial analysis.
• Coordinate project setup and ensure alignment among contracts, budgets, labor categories, billing rules, and general ledger coding.
• Troubleshoot accounting system issues, support users, and document standard procedures and controls.
• Identify and implement practical improvements that reduce manual work, improve data quality, and shorten reporting cycles.

Functional Oversight and Work Coordination
• Provide day-to-day work direction, technical guidance, and quality review for assigned accounting staff or shared-service resources.
• Assign and prioritize recurring accounting activities, monitor completion, and address workflow or capacity issues.
• Train team members on accounting procedures, engineering project accounting, systems, and internal controls.
• Review work for accuracy and provide timely coaching and corrective feedback.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, performance feedback, and development planning when assigned staff are part of the function.
• Manage working relationships with banks, auditors, tax advisors, software providers, and other financial vendors.
• Serve as a collaborative financial resource to project managers, engineers, department leaders, and executive leadership.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

Controller-Specific Capabilities

• Adhere to Carroll Daniel’s Core Values: RISE.
• Strong technical accounting, analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of project-based professional services or engineering accounting.
• Ability to interpret project financial data and explain it clearly to non-financial leaders.
• Knowledge of revenue recognition, work-in-progress, labor costing, billing, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger accounting.
• Ability to independently perform detailed accounting work while also coordinating the work of others.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate, timely, and complete deliverables.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and changing priorities with limited supervision.
• Ability to establish clear expectations, review work, and provide practical coaching to staff.
• Continuous-improvement mindset with the ability to strengthen processes, controls, and reporting.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build effective relationships across engineering, operations, and finance.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and accept feedback and constructive criticism.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field required.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive accounting experience required.
• Engineering, architecture, construction consulting, or other project-based professional services accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with project accounting, revenue recognition, WIP, billing, and project profitability analysis strongly preferred.
• Experience providing work direction or supervision to accounting staff preferred.
• Experience with audits, financial statement preparation, tax coordination, and multistate reporting preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, financial statements, and federal and state accounting requirements required.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and experience with accounting, ERP, or project-management software required.
• CPA or CMA certification preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
• The majority of work is performed in an office setting.
• The position requires extended periods of computer work and frequent interaction with project teams and company leadership.
• Occasional travel, including overnight stays, may be required.
• The employee must possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities necessary to perform each duty proficiently.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals requiring special consideration.