Job Title: Controller (Construction)
Status: Full-Time Exempt
Hours: Monday through Friday (8:00am - 5:00pm)
Supervisor: Company Vice President
Location: Santa Maria, CA (100% in office)
Pay Range: $110,000 - $150,000 annually, DOE
Position Summary
At Joseph Engineering, we are proud to be a family-owned and operated small business. In recent years, we have experienced strong, intentional growth and continue to scale our operations. As we look ahead, we are expanding our team to ensure we have the right people and structure in place to support our next phase of growth, while maintaining our core values: Be Safe, Be Honest, and Do the Right Thing, the First Time!
The Controller serves as the senior accounting leader of Joseph Engineering and a key business partner to the Vice President and Ownership Team. This hands-on position is responsible for both the strategy and day-to-day execution of accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, payroll, internal controls, and human resources administration. The Controller personally performs the full close and prepares GAAP financial statements, Construction Work in Progress (WIP) schedules, budgets, and forecasts, while overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable, and payroll activities.
Working closely with the Contracts & Business Services Manager, the Controller provides the financial infrastructure, reporting, and analysis necessary to support profitable growth and informed decision-making. The Contracts & Business Services Manager owns contract administration, revenue capture, customer billing documentation, contract compliance coordination, and operational support. The Controller owns the accounting records, close, financial reporting, cash management, internal controls, payroll processing, and financial planning and analysis. In addition, the Controller validates that billing and contract activity is accurately reflected in the financial records without assuming ownership of contract administration.
This role is ideal for a construction accounting professional who enjoys performing detailed accounting work, building processes, implementing scalable systems, and serving as a trusted advisor within a growing entrepreneurial organization. The successful candidate will be highly self-directed, comfortable establishing best practices, and capable of balancing hands-on accounting responsibilities with strategic planning and analysis.
Key Responsibilities
Finance
- Personally perform and own the entire monthly close process, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules; prepare GAAP financial statements and management reports
- Maintain the general ledger, account reconciliations, and internal controls (including separation of duties)
- Personally prepare the annual budget and ongoing forecasts/reforecasts; manage cash flow planning and liquidity
- Manage relationships with the company’s bank(s) and bonding company, including required reporting and financial documentation
- Oversee accounts payable processing, payment controls, cash disbursements, and payment timing aligned to cash planning; partner with Contracts & Business Services on operational validation of vendor invoices
- Personally prepare and maintain accurate job costing and the Construction Work in Progress (WIP) schedule; investigate coding errors, missing costs, and discrepancies
- Oversee the financial accuracy of accounts receivable, cash application, aging, and collections; partner with Contracts & Business Services, which owns contract billing preparation and supporting documentation
- Ensure accounting records and reconciliations support contract billing and audit requirements; coordinate with Contracts & Business Services to resolve differences involving billings, retainage, change orders, and other contract activity
Human Resources & Payroll
- Perform day-to-day HR administration, maintain employee records, and manage core HR processes
- Manage benefits enrollment/changes and coordinate directly with vendors and brokers
- Supports with the employment lifecycle, from recruiting and onboarding to handling sensitive issues and maintaining personnel files, in partnership with outside HR Consultant
- Perform weekly payroll and related accounting; review timecards, hours, job and cost-code allocation, labor classifications, deductions, taxes, and required filings; partner with Contracts & Business Services on certified-payroll and prevailing-wage documentation needed for contract compliance
- Ensure compliance with employment and labor requirements, including required postings and record retention
Reporting & Analysis
- Track job profitability and cost trends; partner with Contracts & Business Services to reconcile job costs, billing activity, and field information while maintaining Accounting ownership of the financial records and WIP reporting
- Ensure compliance with tax and regulatory requirements; coordinate the annual financial statement review and other audits as required
- Provide timely dashboards, clear financial insights, and strategic recommendations to Ownership to support decision-making, planning, and sustainable growth
- Maintain financial systems and documentation; independently identify and implement process improvements that increase accuracy, visibility, efficiency, and scalability
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of hands-on construction accounting and job costing experience
- Degree in Accounting or relevant field required, secondary education a plus (MBA, CPA, CMA)
- Demonstrated ability to personally complete the full accounting close and prepare GAAP financial statements, WIP schedules, budgets, forecasts, and cash flow analyses
- Payroll knowledge, including wage/labor compliance (certified payroll/prevailing wage a plus)
- Working knowledge of HR administration (onboarding, records, benefits coordination)
- Public works and/or federal contract financial requirements preferred
- Knowledge of accounting software specific to construction (Foundation a plus)
- Able to explain, interpret, and present financial information to internal and external associates and translate results into practical recommendations
- Spanish language skills a plus
Physical Requirements
- Sedentary Posture: Ability to sit or remain stationary for the majority of the workday.
- Dexterity & Typing: Fine motor skills to frequently use a keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
- Lifting & Carrying: Occasional, light lifting of up to 10-15 pounds (e.g., reams of paper, files, or laptops).
- Communication: Ability to read documents, view computer screens, and hear/speak during phone or video calls.
About Us
Joseph Engineering is a premier SBA 8(a) Certified/CA DBE, A- & B-licensed general engineering and building contractor based on California’s Central Coast. Founded in 2005 by Brian and Chrystal Joseph, the firm represents a partnership forged in 2003—one built "in the trenches" and tested through every economic cycle since. What began with a single machine and a bold vision has evolved into a powerhouse team of 40 professionals and an advanced fleet specializing in traditional open-cut excavation, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), hydro-excavation, and full-service underground utilities.
Driven by the core values—"Be safe, be honest, do the right thing the first time, and One Team, One Dream"—Joseph Engineering is committed to leaving every job better than they found it. By blending traditional grit with modern trenchless technology, they provide surgical, high-precision solutions for the region’s most complex infrastructure challenges. At Joseph Engineering, we don’t just move dirt; we build results.
This job description is not all-inclusive. Joseph Engineering reserves the right to change job duties and essential job functions as required by business necessity. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis, without the need for sponsorship.
Joseph Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by federal, California, or local laws.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Application Question(s):
- Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. h-1b visa status)?
- This position is 100% onsite in Santa Maria, CA. Should relocation be required, it will be at the expense of the applicant. Please provide information about your plans to relocate, if a factor. If not, please state "local, n/a".
Education:
Experience:
- construction accounting: 5 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
