Assistant Controller — North Denver Metro, CO, Colorado | Pacific Executive Search

Assistant Controller

(Job ID: 2083)

North Denver Metro, CO, Colorado

Hybrid

Direct Hire

Construction and Engi

$160,000 – $180,000 base

Apply Now

Overview

This newly established Assistant Controller position will oversee financial operations for a specialized construction and engineering firm known for delivering complex mechanical and plumbing systems in landmark commercial projects. Situated within a corporate setting yet requiring a hybrid presence at a critical operational office, this role demands expertise in advanced financial systems and hands-on leadership of multiple business units. Candidates with a background in accounting management and proficiency in enterprise resource planning software will find a challenging environment to apply their skills in budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.

Title: Assistant Controller
Industry: Mechanical and Plumbing Construction
Location: North Denver Metro, CO

Responsibilities

Manage and streamline financial processes for the Mission Critical and Services divisions, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
Lead month-end close activities, including general ledger reconciliations and preparation of financial statements in compliance with GAAP.
Oversee budgeting and forecasting efforts, collaborating with operational teams to align financial plans with business objectives.
Implement and maintain controls within the IFS system to support efficient accounting workflows and data integrity.
Coordinate audit procedures and support external auditors during financial reviews and tax compliance assessments.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives in accounting operations to enhance accuracy and reduce cycle times.
Provide financial analysis and insights to senior leadership to inform strategic decision-making.

Qualifications

Must-Have:
- Proven experience in accounting management within construction, engineering, or related industries.
- Hands-on expertise with the IFS financial system or similar ERP platforms.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, month-end close processes, and financial statement preparation.
- Demonstrated ability to lead budgeting, forecasting, and audit coordination.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to work on-site and collaborate across departments.
Nice-to-Have:
- CPA certification or equivalent professional accounting designation.
- Experience supporting multiple business units or divisions within a corporate finance function.
- Familiarity with construction project accounting and cost control methodologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do Accounting Manager hires fail?
Because companies hire for close execution when the real need is issue ownership and team leadership. Many candidates can manage a checklist. Far fewer can stabilize the function under pressure, improve weak processes, coach staff, and hold the line during audit, turnover, or reporting stress.
What are strong Accounting Manager candidates evaluating during the interview process?
They are usually trying to understand whether they are walking into a stable environment, a cleanup situation, or an under-resourced function. Strong candidates do not just evaluate title and compensation. They assess whether success is realistically achievable and whether leadership understands what the accounting team actually needs.
Why are SaaS accounting and finance roles different from general corporate roles?
Because recurring revenue models create different pressure points around revenue recognition, deferred revenue, forecasting, metrics, and scale. Even strong general accounting or finance candidates can struggle if they have not operated in an environment where recurring revenue and growth-stage process discipline matter.
Is the CPA really required for roles like this?
Sometimes yes, and often functionally yes even when the posting says "preferred." At leadership levels especially, the CPA frequently acts as a credibility signal for hiring managers, auditors, lenders, investors, or boards. There are exceptions, but in many accounting searches it remains one of the clearest markers of technical foundation.
How do strong candidates typically evaluate opportunities like this?
Strong candidates rarely evaluate a role based on title alone. They look at what the position actually owns, how the function is viewed internally, whether the environment is stable or in transition, and what success will realistically look like in the first 6 to 12 months. Many first discover a role through a posting, but the strongest career decisions usually come from understanding the context behind the opportunity, not just the job description. In accounting and finance hiring, that level of context is often what separates a lateral move from a meaningful one. Learn more about how strategic accounting and finance searches differ from transactional recruiting.