Controller/CPA-Construction in Chicago, Illinois at PCG International Inc

Controller / CPA – Construction

Location: Chicago, IL – Primarily Onsite
Employment Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $140,000–$170,000 annually, depending on experience

PCG Consulting Group is recruiting an experienced Controller / CPA on behalf of a well-established and successful Chicago-area construction company generating approximately $50 million in annual revenue.

This is a hands-on Controller position. We are looking for someone who enjoys staying close to both the financial operation and the business itself not someone who wants to manage accounting entirely from a distance. The company operates with a lean, experienced team where people collaborate, take ownership, and step in when something needs to get done.

The successful candidate will be equally comfortable reviewing financial statements and cash flow as they are digging into a reconciliation, investigating a job-cost issue, resolving a billing question, or improving an accounting process.

For a CPA who enjoys understanding how a business actually operates and wants to work directly with company leadership, this is an opportunity to take ownership of an established accounting function and play an important role in the company's continued success.

• Oversee the company's accounting and financial reporting functions
• Lead and actively participate in month-end and year-end close activities
• Prepare and review financial statements and management reporting
• Maintain accurate general ledger activity, account reconciliations, and supporting documentation
• Oversee cash flow, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and related accounting activities
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and ongoing financial analysis
• Partner directly with ownership and operational leaders to understand financial performance and business needs
• Monitor project costs, margins, profitability, and other financial information important to the construction business
• Review and support job costing, project accounting, billing, and work-in-progress reporting as applicable
• Coordinate with outside accounting, tax, banking, insurance, and other financial partners
• Maintain appropriate accounting controls, policies, and processes
• Identify opportunities to improve financial reporting, accounting processes, and visibility into company performance
• Research and resolve accounting discrepancies and financial issues
• Support accounting systems and process improvements
• Remain personally involved in the accounting function and step into detailed accounting issues when needed

This is a successful construction business, not a formal corporate headquarters environment.

Company leadership is actively involved in the day-to-day business and values direct communication, accountability, responsiveness, and people who are willing to pitch in when something needs attention.

The Controller will work closely with ownership and operational leadership and will be expected to understand not only the financial statements, but also the business activity driving the numbers.

This position is primarily onsite in Chicago. There may be occasional flexibility to work from home when company leadership is traveling or when business needs allow; however, candidates should consider this an onsite position rather than a remote or regularly scheduled hybrid role.

The right person for this opportunity will:

• Enjoy being close to the business and the people operating it
• Be equally comfortable discussing financial performance and digging into detailed accounting
• Take ownership of problems and follow them through to resolution
• Be willing to step into an accounting issue personally rather than simply delegate it
• Understand that no reasonable accounting task is "beneath" the Controller
• Communicate financial information in practical, understandable business terms
• Thrive in an entrepreneurial and collaborative environment
• Be comfortable working with a lean accounting and leadership team
• Value accuracy, responsiveness, accountability, and follow-through
• Prefer being an active part of the business over working within a highly layered corporate structure

This is an opportunity to step into an established and important position within a successful Chicago construction company. With the longtime Controller retiring, the incoming Controller will have the opportunity to build upon an existing accounting operation while developing strong relationships with company ownership and leadership.

For someone who enjoys hands-on accounting, financial leadership, construction or project-based businesses, and working directly with decision-makers, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful long-term impact.

PCG Consulting Group is managing this search on behalf of its client.

• Active CPA designation
• Strong accounting and financial reporting background
• Experience leading or significantly supporting month-end and year-end close
• Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation
• Demonstrated ability and willingness to remain hands-on with accounting activities
• Strong Microsoft Excel and financial systems skills
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders
• Experience working directly with company ownership, executives, or operational leadership
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage priorities independently in a lean, fast-moving environment
• Must be able to work primarily onsite in the Chicago area

• Accounting experience within construction, heavy civil, engineering, contracting, or another project-based business
• Previous experience as a Controller, Assistant Controller, Accounting Manager, Senior Accounting Manager, or comparable accounting leader
• Experience with job costing, WIP reporting, project accounting, percentage-of-completion accounting, and/or construction billing
• Experience working within a privately held, entrepreneurial, or owner-led organization
• Experience supporting an organization with approximately $25 million–$100 million in annual revenue
• Familiarity with construction accounting software or ERP systems
• Experience partnering closely with project management and operations teams
• Understanding of project margins, cost-to-complete analysis, and construction financial reporting