Controller

Overview

Stepping into a pivotal leadership role within a private equity-backed specialty services firm headquartered in Southern California, this Controller position offers direct partnership with the CFO to oversee a complex, high-volume job-cost accounting environment. The company, serving sectors from data centers to aerospace, is navigating rapid growth fueled by acquisitions and expanding project scopes, demanding a seasoned finance professional adept at percentage-of-completion accounting and financial reporting. This role combines operational rigor with strategic influence, managing a team while collaborating closely with field and operations leaders to drive financial clarity and control.

Title: Controller
Industry: Industrial Cleaning Services
Location: South Orange County, California

Responsibilities

• Direct the full spectrum of accounting operations, including general ledger management, accounts payable and receivable, payroll, and cash flow forecasting within a project-driven framework.
• Lead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate financial statements that reflect job cost and revenue recognition in accordance with percentage-of-completion standards.
• Coordinate and manage external audits, maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements and internal controls to safeguard assets and financial integrity.
• Partner with operations and project managers to align financial tracking with job progress, budgets, and forecasts, identifying and addressing variances proactively.
• Develop and mentor a finance team of six to seven professionals, delegating responsibilities effectively to enhance efficiency and scalability.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and cross-functional departments such as HR and IT to integrate financial processes and support organizational growth initiatives.
• Implement and refine financial systems and controls to support rapid expansion and private equity reporting demands.

Qualifications

• Must-Have:
  • Minimum 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including leadership roles within private equity-backed or project-based companies.
  • Proven expertise in job cost accounting and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition in environments with diverse and sizable projects.
  • Strong background in financial reporting, audit coordination, budgeting, and month-end close processes.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA designation strongly preferred.
  • Experience managing and developing accounting teams, with a demonstrated ability to delegate and empower staff.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Dynamics GP (Great Plains) or similar ERP systems; knowledge of UKG and CRM platforms is advantageous.
  • Exceptional communication skills, capable of translating complex financial data for non-finance stakeholders, including field and operations personnel.
• Nice-to-Have:
  • MBA or advanced degree in a related field.
  • Experience in industrial services, construction, or manufacturing sectors with high-volume project accounting.
  • Exposure to private equity reporting cadence and investor relations.
  • Knowledge of U.S. Export Control Laws compliance within financial operations.