Controller
Engineering Resources, Inc.
Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Controller will lead the accounting function for a mid-sized consulting engineering firm of approximately 65 employees. This role is responsible for day-to-day accounting operations, financial reporting, project accounting, billing oversight, cash flow management, compliance, and financial analysis in a project-driven professional services environment.
The Controller will serve as the firm’s financial anchor, combining hands-on accounting leadership with strategic financial support for the firm’s principals. The role requires strong project-based accounting knowledge, and the confidence to improve systems, reporting, controls, and financial discipline across the firm.
Key Responsibilities
Accounting Operations and Financial Reporting
- Own the monthly and year-end close processes.
- Prepare and review financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, cash flow reports, and management reporting packages.
- Maintain the general ledger and ensure accuracy, consistency, and timely reporting.
- Develop and improve accounting policies and internal controls.
- Coordinate with external CPA firm and other financial partners.
Project Accounting, Billing, and Revenue Recognition
- Oversee project accounting for time-and-materials, lump-sum, cost-plus, and milestone-based engineering contracts.
- Assist in monitoring the work-in-progress, percent complete, budget-to-actual performance, contract value, earned revenue, and billing status.
- Review project labor multipliers, effective billing rates, utilization, and write-offs.
- Support accurate revenue recognition in accordance with engineering contracts.
- Ensure timely, accurate client billing and strengthen processes to reduce unbilled work, billing delays, and collection issues.
Cash Flow, Budgeting, and Forecasting
- Manage cash flow forecasting, working capital, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and collections reporting.
- Prepare annual budgets and forecasts in collaboration with firm principals.
- Analyze financial trends and provide insight into profitability, backlog, staffing levels, utilization, and overhead.
- Develop reporting tools that help firm principals make timely financial and operational decisions.
Compliance, Controls, and Systems
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local tax, payroll, reporting, and regulatory requirements.
- Assist in providing information to external CPA firm preparing FAR audit.
- 401k compliance responsibility and coordination with provider.
- Serve as the internal accounting systems leader for Unanet ERP system.
- Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual work, improve controls, and increase reporting accuracy.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- Minimum of 8 years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in a controller, assistant controller, accounting manager, senior project accountant, or similar leadership role.
- Experience managing daily accounting workflows.
- Strong understanding of GAAP, financial statement preparation, month-end closing, reconciliations, internal controls, and financial reporting.
- Demonstrated experience with project-based accounting, preferably in engineering, professional services, or another billable-hours environment.
- Strong Excel and reporting skills, with the ability to translate financial data into clear business insight.
Preferred Qualifications
- CPA designation preferred.
- Prior experience within an engineering firm or other professional services firm.
- Experience with Unanet ERP or other project-based accounting systems.
- Experience with government contract accounting, state DOT work, FAR overhead rates, or allowable and unallowable cost classifications is a plus.
Compensation and Benefits
- Competitive compensation package based on education and experience.
- Comprehensive benefits including 401k with company match, health care, dental, paid time off and holidays.
