Assistant Controller

Job Description

Salary: DOE

Assistant Controller

The Assistant Controller will support the Controller in overseeing the financial operations of the construction companies, ensuring the integrity of financial controls and accurate reporting of project budgets, costs, and financial statements. This role is integral to assisting in managing accounting operations, compliance, financial reporting, cost accounting, and cash management. The Assistant Controller will also provide guidance to the accounting staff, assist in audits, and ensure that financial information aligns with both company goals and regulatory standards.

Essential Functions:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Accounting Operations:

Accounts Payable:

Assist in managing subcontractor payments, ensuring timely and accurate disbursements.

Support the monitoring of subcontract risk management, including bonding and lien waivers.

Ensure material supplier payments are accurate and timely, with proper documentation.

Help manage agreements, change orders, and vendor resolution.

Payroll:

Assist in overseeing employee payroll, ensuring timely and accurate processing.

Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal labor laws.

Assist in labor production reporting and any employee benefit-related queries.

Owner Contract Management:

Work with project managers and legal teams to ensure that any contract changes or amendments are accurately documented and reflected in the projects financial records.

Billing/Accounts Receivable:

Ensure timely owner billing and follow up on collections as per established procedures.

Assist in managing accounts receivable, ensuring payments are received according to contractual terms.

Assist with the cash management process and ensure adequate cash flow for the business.

Financial Reporting:

Assist in the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements (balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements) including the analysis of General & Administration budgets and Work in Progress (WIP).

Provide financial reports to senior management, offering analysis of trends and highlighting areas for potential cost-saving.

Support in the general ledger and fixed asset management.

Assist in the reclassification of labor burden and job estimating reclassification.

Provide support in equipment cost analysis and owned equipment charge allocation to jobs.

Budgets/Projections:

Help in preparing the annual budget and assist in developing project backlog projections.

Aid in the generation of financial projections and reports for various stakeholders.

Cost Accounting:

Assist in ensuring accuracy of cost tracking by project.

Help in providing detailed financial reports for project teams and attending cost meetings.

Risk Management:

Support risk management activities, including owner bonding and insurance requirements.

Assist with subcontractor prequalification and coordinate with estimating and purchasing departments.

Compliance:

Help in managing internal and external audits, including IRS, workers compensation, and general liability audits.

Provide support for legal compliance on owner, subcontractor, vendor, and employee-related issues.

Assist with payroll tax coordination and gross receipts tax tracking and reporting.

IT & Administration:

Assist in maintaining the accounting software, (Sage 300 & Timberscan) ensuring data security and functionality.

Participate in training for accounting staff on system upgrades and functionality.

Support the implementation of IT projects, including document imaging solutions.

Assist in developing, implementing and updating accounting policies and procedures.

Core Competencies

Strong interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Multitasking and prioritization a must

Strong team player with a positive attitude

Supervisory Responsibility

The Assistant Controller will supervise and mentor junior accounting staff, providing guidance on daily accounting functions and professional development.

Ensure that staff meet deadlines and maintain high-quality standards for all accounting and financial processes.

Foster a collaborative and positive work environment to encourage team performance, development, and engagement.

Assist in the hiring and onboarding of new accounting team members as needed.

Travel

Ability to travel within the USVI territory and US Mainland as needed.

Required Education and Experience

A bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

A minimum of 5 years of experience in an accounting or financial management role, ideally within the construction industry.

Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial analysis, and reporting.

High ethical standards, with an emphasis on transparency, accountability, and confidentiality in handling financial data.

Ability to prepare and analyze financial statements, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.

Knowledge of how to allocate costs to specific projects (labor, materials, overheads) and monitor financial performance against project budgets is highly desirable.

Understanding of construction contracts, including subcontractor agreements, owner contracts, change orders, and cost-plus contracts, and ensure these are properly reflected in the companys financial records.

Ability to manage, mentor, and lead accounting staff, ensuring deadlines are met, accuracy is maintained, and the team remains motivated.

Strong ability to collaborate across teams, especially with project managers, procurement teams, and senior leadership, to align financial and operational objectives.

Ability to ensure precise and timely entry of financial data, as well as reconciliation of accounts and records.

Ability to focus on ensuring the company's financial practices are compliant with laws and regulations and implementing internal controls to protect against fraud and errors.

Proficiency in using construction-specific accounting software such as Sage, QuickBooks, or Procore, as well as general accounting tools (Excel, Word, etc.).

Familiarity with project management tools that integrate with financial systems, enabling effective tracking of project budgets and costs.

Ability to effectively and efficiently adjust to changing / multiple priorities, new regulations, software systems, or industry trends as they arise in the construction and finance sectors.

Comfort with using spreadsheets and financial analysis tools to manipulate large sets of data for insights into financial performance.

An Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

J. Benton Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status.