Construction Assistant Controller

Department: Finance & Accounting
Reports To: Controller / CEO
Location: Chicago, IL
Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

GMA Construction Group is seeking a Construction Assistant Controller to support the Controller and Finance team in managing the company’s accounting operations, financial reporting, and project-level financial controls. This role will be responsible for helping maintain accurate financial records, monitoring construction project financial activity, supporting month-end close, and ensuring accounting processes are completed accurately and timely.

The ideal candidate will have experience in construction accounting, job-cost accounting, financial reporting, and general ledger management and understands the unique financial requirements of a general contractor.

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Financial Operations

• Assist the Controller with the day-to-day accounting operations of the company.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes.
• Review and maintain general ledger accounts and account reconciliations.
• Prepare and review journal entries, accruals, and adjusting entries.
• Assist with preparation of monthly financial statements and management reports.
• Monitor accounts payable, accounts receivable, cash activity, and other accounting functions.
• Help establish and maintain effective accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.

Construction & Project Accounting

• Monitor project financial activity and job-cost reporting.
• Review project budgets, committed costs, actual costs, and projected costs.
• Work closely with Project Managers and project teams to ensure accurate cost coding and financial reporting.
• Review subcontractor commitments, change orders, invoices, and payment applications for accuracy and proper accounting treatment.
• Assist with WIP (Work-in-Progress) reporting, percentage-of-completion calculations, and revenue recognition.
• Analyze project variances and identify unusual or unexpected costs.
• Support project closeout and final accounting activities.
• Help ensure project financial information is accurately reflected in the company’s accounting system.

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Prepare financial reports and analysis for leadership.
• Assist with cash flow forecasting and monitoring.
• Analyze gross profit, project margins, overhead, and other key financial metrics.
• Identify trends, discrepancies, and opportunities for improved financial performance.
• Provide financial information and analysis to management to support business decisions.

Compliance & Controls

• Assist with internal and external audits.
• Support tax, insurance, bonding, and other financial reporting requirements.
• Maintain appropriate documentation and records for financial transactions.
• Help ensure compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and applicable regulations.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen financial controls and accounting processes.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Work closely with the Controller, Project Accountants, Project Managers, Estimating, Operations, and other departments.
• Provide guidance to accounting staff as needed.
• Assist with improving accounting workflows, systems, and processes.
• Serve as a financial resource to project teams and help educate staff on job-cost and financial processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, Construction Management, or a related field preferred.
• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, preferably within the construction industry.
• Strong understanding of construction accounting and job-cost accounting.
• Experience with WIP schedules, percentage-of-completion accounting, project financial reporting, and job-cost analysis.
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting and financial statement preparation.
• Experience with construction accounting software/ERP systems preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Preferred Experience

• General contracting or construction management experience.
• Experience supporting $20M–$50M+ ground-up construction projects.
• Experience with project forecasting and cost-to-complete analysis.
• Experience working with subcontractors, vendors, Project Managers, and Superintendents.
• Experience with bonding, insurance, retainage, lien waivers, and construction-related financial requirements.
• CPA or progress toward CPA is a plus.

What We’re Looking For

GMA is looking for someone who can operate beyond traditional bookkeeping and accounting functions and understands how financial performance connects directly to construction operations. The Assistant Controller should be comfortable analyzing project financials, asking questions when numbers do not align, partnering with project teams, and helping leadership understand the financial health of the business.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $110,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Physical Setting:

• Office

Application Question(s):

• Do you have "Cost Reporting" experience? Explain.
• Do you have "Bank Reconciliation" experience? Explain.
• Do you have experience in Construction as a Controller?

Experience:

• Construction Accounting/Controller: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person