Controller - Clean Energy & Renewable Energy
AlphaHire · Santa Cruz
We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead accounting and financial operations for a growing project-based contractor. This role requires a strong construction accounting background, hands-on experience with union and prevailing-wage payroll compliance, and a proven ability to lead ERP implementations and build scalable financial processes.
The ideal candidate is comfortable managing a broad range of accounting functions, improving financial controls, and partnering with project managers and executive leadership to support profitability and business growth. Experience in clean energy or renewable energy is preferred but not required.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead core accounting operations, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, project billing, account reconciliations, month-end close, and financial reporting.
- Oversee construction accounting, including job costing, work-in-progress (WIP) schedules, percentage-of-completion accounting, cost-to-complete analysis, and project margin tracking.
- Manage union and prevailing-wage payroll compliance, including certified payroll submissions, fringe benefit reporting, and multi-union wage requirements.
- Review financial performance by analyzing financial statements, investigating variances, identifying financial risks, and communicating findings to leadership.
- Manage intercompany accounting across affiliated entities, including transaction tracking, reconciliations, and elimination entries.
- Lead ERP implementations and accounting system transitions, including migration planning, data conversion, testing, system integration, and post-launch improvements.
- Develop and strengthen financial processes by establishing accounting policies, internal controls, reporting standards, and efficient workflows.
- Prepare budgets and forecasts, including cash-flow projections and financial models to support business planning and decision-making.
- Partner with project managers and operations leaders to monitor project costs, billing, cash flow, margins, and overall profitability.
- Provide financial analysis and recommendations to help management make informed operational and strategic decisions.
- Identify opportunities for improvement in reporting accuracy, internal controls, and accounting efficiency.
- Build scalable accounting systems and processes to support the company's continued growth while maintaining ownership of core financial functions.
Requirements
- 5+ years of progressive accounting or finance experience in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or comparable senior accounting role.
- Required: Direct accounting experience with a construction company or contractor.
- Strong knowledge of construction job costing, WIP reporting, and percentage-of-completion accounting.
- Hands-on experience with union and prevailing-wage payroll compliance, including certified payroll, fringe benefit reporting, and multi-local wage requirements.
- Proven experience leading an ERP implementation, accounting system migration, conversion, or consolidation.
- Experience developing or improving accounting processes, financial controls, and reporting systems.
- Demonstrated ability to manage intercompany transactions, reconciliations, and elimination entries.
- Strong financial statement analysis skills, including the ability to identify discrepancies, investigate variances, and explain financial performance.
- Experience working in a small-to-midsized business and the ability to work independently across a broad range of finance responsibilities.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with project managers, operations teams, and executive leadership.
Preferred Experience
- Experience in clean energy, solar, EV infrastructure, microgrids, renewable energy, or related infrastructure sectors. This experience is beneficial but not required.
Benefits
- Competitive salary based on experience.
- Health insurance and retirement plan options.
- Paid time off and company-sponsored benefits.
- Opportunity to build, improve, and lead a growing finance function.
- Direct involvement in strategic financial planning and operational decision-making.
- Exposure to complex construction, infrastructure, and clean-energy projects.
- Professional development and long-term career advancement opportunities.
- Collaborative environment within a growing clean-energy and infrastructure business.
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