Controller

Controller – Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI)

1. Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on, and detail-oriented Controller to independently manage all financial, accounting, and regulatory compliance operations for our Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) operations based in Fort Myers, FL. This position operates on a flexible hybrid schedule, balancing collaborative in-office work with productive remote periods.

The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in project cost accounting and state infrastructure government contracting, with a specific, hands-on understanding of Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reimbursement models, overhead rules, and audit frameworks. The Controller will directly execute annual FAR overhead audits, precise project profitability tracking, month-end closes, and resource utilization using Unanet A/E. Additionally, this multi-functional role will independently handle full-cycle payroll, employee insurance benefits administration, corporate insurance procurement assistance, vehicle fleet monitoring, and general human resources support functions.

2. Core Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Hands-On Accounting

• Financial Closures: Drive and execute the complete monthly, quarterly, and fiscal year-end closing cycles to compile accurate, GAAP-compliant commercial financial statements.
• Full-Cycle Accounting Tasks: Directly perform daily tactical accounting operations, including accounts payable entry, billing generation, collections tracking, and certified multi-project payroll allocation.

FDOT Compliance & FAR Audits

* FAR Overhead Management: Monitor and provide information to external CPA for the firm's annual Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR Part 31) overhead rate in strict accordance with the AASHTO Uniform Audit & Accounting Guide.

Project Accounting & Revenue Recognition

* Contract Management: Oversee and execute the complete project financial lifecycle across complex FDOT contract structures, Lump Sum, and multi-year Task Work Orders.

Payroll & Human Resources Administration

• Payroll Processing: Personally execute full-cycle, multi-project payroll allocation, ensuring precise labor costing, withholding compliance, and timely tax filings.
• Employee Benefits Management: Administer employee insurance benefits programs, managing open enrollment, processing plan additions/changes, reconciling monthly insurance billings, and handling employee benefits inquiries.
• HR Oversight: Manage onboarding/offboarding workflows, personnel file compliance, and serve as the primary point of contact for internal HR administrative needs.
• Timekeeping Compliance: Monitor labor laws and certified payroll submission timelines for active government infrastructure projects.

Corporate Risk Management & Insurance Procurement

• Commercial Quotes Assistance: Assist executive leadership in sourcing, evaluating, and compiling data to obtain competitive commercial company insurance quotes (e.g., General Liability, Professional Liability/Errors & Omissions, Workers' Compensation).
• Policy Maintenance: Maintain accurate records of all active corporate policies, track renewal timelines, and coordinate the distribution of certificates of insurance (COIs) as required for infrastructure project bids.

Vehicle Fleet Monitoring

• Fleet Management: Oversee tracking, utilization, and maintenance schedules for the corporate vehicle fleet assigned to field engineers and inspectors.
• Expense Management: Audit fuel card programs, vehicle stipends, insurance policy assignments, and related travel cost allocations across various active projects.

3. Qualifications & Technical Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related business field is mandatory.
• Credentials: Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA) credential is highly preferred.
• Experience: 7 to 10+ years of progressive professional accounting experience inside an Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) firm.
• Role Structure Fit: Proven capability to operate efficiently in an autonomous, hands-on capacity, successfully managing both high-level financial strategy and daily administrative/transactional tasks without a supporting accounting staff.
• Expanded Scope Experience: Demonstrated experience handling employee health insurance enrollment and assisting with commercial risk/liability insurance renewal processes.
• Software Systems: Hands-on experience with Unanet A/E (formerly Clearview) or highly comparable AEC-specific project accounting platforms (e.g., Deltek Vantagepoint/Vision) is strongly preferred and considered a major advantage.