Controller (CFO track)

Job Description

Job Description

Controller (CFO Track) Construction ·

Reports to: President and ownership

Status: Full-time, exempt

Location: Arizona-based; office environment with occasional project/site travel

Growth path: Designed to grow into a CFO role as the company scales

Position Summary

The Controller (CFO Track) owns the day-to-day financial operations of the Corporation, a heavy civil and general construction contractor delivering federally funded infrastructure for clients, and partners with ownership on the financial analysis that supports company decisions. This is a hands-on role with a clear path to broader financial leadership: it runs the full construction accounting cycle from project setup through close-out, maintains rigorous federal-grant compliance, and progressively takes on planning, forecasting, and advisory responsibilities as the role and company grow.

The ideal candidate brings solid construction job-cost and progress-billing experience, a strong grasp of internal controls and federal compliance, and the ambition to develop into a CFO over time.

Financial Operations & Reporting

• Own month-end, quarterly, and year-end close, account reconciliations, and journal entries.

• Prepare timely, accurate financial statements and management reports for ownership.

• Maintain the work-in-progress (WIP) schedule, tracking over- and under-billings, percentage-of-completion, and costs to complete.

• Monitor project costs versus budgets and flag variances to project managers and leadership.

• Maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls appropriate to the company’s size, and strengthen them as it grows.

Planning & Analysis

• Support budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow planning at the company and project-portfolio level.

• Provide financial analysis to inform bidding, equipment, and operational decisions, including lease-versus-own evaluations.

• Help prepare the financial reporting required to maintain and grow surety/bonding capacity.

• Assist in managing banking relationships, lines of credit, and equipment financing.

• Coordinate with external CPAs on tax filings and tax planning.

• Take on increasing strategic and advisory responsibility as the role progresses toward CFO.

Federal Grant & Regulation Compliance

• Ensure financial compliance with 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance) and applicable federal program requirements.

• Support indirect cost rate development (NICRA) and proper allocation of direct and indirect costs.

• Manage grant drawdowns, federal financial reporting, and cost allowability determinations.

• Maintain audit and Single Audit readiness and coordinate with external auditors.

• Keep project and financial documentation organized and defensible for federal review.

Multi-Entity Coordination

• Maintain the financial records and cost allocations between Lenea and the affiliated Center for Tribal Transportation (CTT), ensuring inter-entity transactions are documented at arm’s length.

• Apply the shared-cost allocation methodology between the for-profit and nonprofit entities, escalating questions to leadership and counsel as needed.

Construction Accounts Receivable & Invoicing

• Prepare and issue construction invoices, including progress billing, percentage-of-completion billing, time and materials (T&M), and change orders.

• Track receivables by project and customer; manage collections and follow up on outstanding balances.

• Ensure invoices align with contracts, schedules of values (SOVs), and approved change orders.

• Manage lien waivers and required billing documentation.

Construction Accounts Payable

• Process vendor and subcontractor invoices, ensuring proper coding to jobs, phases, and cost categories.

• Track subcontractor compliance documents (W-9s, insurance certificates, lien waivers).

• Manage payment schedules in accordance with contract terms and retainage requirements.

• Reconcile vendor and subcontractor statements and resolve discrepancies.

Job Costing & Bookkeeping

• Maintain accurate job cost records in QuickBooks by project, cost code, and phase.

• Reconcile bank and credit card accounts and post journal entries as needed.

• Support project managers with financial data related to budgets, forecasts, and performance.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field (or equivalent experience).

• 6–10 years of accounting experience in the construction industry, including job costing and progress billing.

• Strong hands-on experience with QuickBooks (Online or Desktop).

• Working knowledge of WIP, retainage, lien waivers, and subcontractor accounting.

• Familiarity with federal grant accounting or a demonstrated ability to learn 2 CFR Part 200 / Uniform Guidance compliance.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.

• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and discretion with confidential information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Progress toward or completion of CPA and/or CCIFP (Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional).

• Experience with retainage, lien waivers, and construction compliance requirements.

• Exposure to surety/bonding, banking relationships, or financial reporting for a contractor.

• Experience with federal contracting and Single Audit.

• Familiarity with multi-entity or nonprofit fund accounting, sales/use tax, and construction payroll coordination.

• Knowledge of GAAP as it applies to construction and percentage-of-completion accounting.

• Experience supporting multiple concurrent construction projects.

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills

• High level of accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality

• Ability to work independently in a deadline-driven environment

• Effective communication with ownership, project managers, vendors, and auditors

• Initiative and a drive to grow into broader financial leadership

• Strong follow-through and accountability

Salary Range : DOE

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, and talk or hear. The employee must use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

Work Environment: Office.

Summary of Benefits

• Competitive salary and employee bonus program.

• Medical, Vision, and Dental insurance.

• 401K plan with match.

• PTO policy

• Educational tuition reimbursement program (if applicable).

• Professional private & group coaching provided.