Controller
Motive Companies • Costa Mesa, CA • Full Time • $175,000–$250,000 / year
Posted on Wed, Sep 2, 2026
The Controller is responsible for overseeing accounting, financial reporting, project accounting, internal controls, and financial operations for a growing construction organization. This role leads the accounting team while ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with U.S. GAAP, effective project cost management, and timely month-end and year-end close processes.The ideal candidate is a Certified Public Accountant with deep experience in construction accounting, Work-in-Progress reporting, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, project accounting, and Microsoft Dynamics. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, manage multiple competing deadlines, and partner effectively with operations and executive leadership.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Oversee general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, fixed assets, cash management, and related accounting operations.
- Prepare and review timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
- Lead month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, with clear calendars, ownership, and review controls.
- Develop, document, and maintain accounting policies, procedures, reconciliations, and internal controls.
- Prepare all documentation in a timely manner as requested for annual audits.
Construction & Project Accounting
- Oversee project accounting across multiple construction projects and legal entities, as applicable.
- Review project budgets, job cost reports, cost allocations, commitments, and project profitability analyses.
- Ensure accurate accounting for change orders, retainage, subcontractor billings, project accruals, and estimated costs to complete.
- Partner with project managers and operations leaders to monitor financial performance and identify project risks.
- Analyze contract terms and their financial impact throughout the project lifecycle.
Work-in-Progress & Revenue Recognition
- Prepare and review monthly Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules.
- Ensure accurate percentage-of-completion revenue recognition and accounting for long-term construction contracts.
- Analyze contract value, costs incurred, estimated costs to complete, earned revenue, billings, overbillings, and underbillings.
- Identify and communicate margin erosion, forecast deviations, loss contracts, and other project performance risks.
- Facilitate disciplined monthly project reviews with operations and project management to maintain reliable forecasts.
Team Leadership & Development
- Lead, mentor, and develop accounting personnel, including project accounting, general accounting, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll resources.
- Set clear performance expectations, assign responsibilities, and hold the team accountable for accuracy and deadlines.
- Balance hands-on execution with effective delegation, coaching, succession planning, and cross-training.
- Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, and high-performance culture.
Systems & Process Management
- Serve as the accounting leader and subject-matter expert for Microsoft Dynamics.
- Improve ERP utilization, financial reporting, project controls, data integrity, and workflow efficiency.
- Partner with IT and operational stakeholders on system enhancements, integrations, access controls, and automation.
- Drive continuous improvement while maintaining appropriate documentation and change management.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local financial reporting requirements.
- Maintain robust internal controls and support SOX-style documentation and control environments where applicable.
- Protect company assets and confidential information through effective financial controls and sound professional judgment.
Qualifications
Required
- Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) license required.
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Minimum 8 to 10 years of progressive accounting experience, including significant construction industry experience.
- At least 5 years of experience leading and managing accounting teams.
- Demonstrated expertise in project accounting, job costing, WIP reporting, percentage-of-completion accounting, and revenue recognition for long-term contracts.
- Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics ERP systems.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial statement preparation.
- Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel and financial analysis skills.
Preferred
- Experience with a project-based contractor generating $200 million or more in annual revenue.
- Experience with multi-entity or multi-location organizations.
- Familiarity with construction bonding, surety requirements, and bank covenant reporting.
- Experience leading accounting process improvements, ERP enhancements, or system implementations.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
- Ability to translate complex financial information into clear, actionable business insights.
- Strong leadership, coaching, communication, and team development capabilities.
- Ability to partner cross-functionally with project management, operations, executive leadership, lenders, auditors, and sureties.
- Results-oriented mindset with a consistent focus on accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound judgment, and remain composed under tight deadlines.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary and annual performance bonus opportunity.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) plan with company match.
- Paid time off and company holidays.
- Professional development and CPA continuing education support.
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal Controller is a hands-on accounting leader who understands both the financial and operational dimensions of a construction business. This individual brings deep expertise in WIP reporting, percentage-of-completion accounting, project financial management, and Microsoft Dynamics, while successfully leading teams in a fast-paced environment with competing deadlines and evolving business needs.Pay: $175,000-$250,000
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