Job Description - Controller (Construction & Real Estate Industries)

Company Background

Vessel Advisors delivers financial clarity and operational certainty to growth-stage CEOs and their companies. We serve as an outsourced financial team with a focus on strategic finance, technology, and metrics. We provide a full accounting and finance team at a fraction of the cost, and we scale up or down with our clients as they do. We work primarily with dynamic, growth-stage business leaders who need to develop and implement strategic financial and operational plans. We get to serve as trusted advisors to dynamic business leaders and equip them with the financial information they need when they need it.

Position Summary

The Controller position at Vessel Advisors will support and report to the VP of Operations of Vessel Advisors and report to clients on a weekly and/or monthly basis as needed. The position will be responsible for providing financial expertise and guidance to clients, helping them improve their financial performance and achieve their business goals. This includes but is not limited to financial discovery assessments, process improvements, accounting clean-up, budgeting and forecasting, and real estate/construction accounting management.

Additionally, the position involves providing financial services to multiple clients concurrently in a fractional capacity. The Controller will take ownership of the client's existing financial processes and recommend and implement best practices. The Controller will oversee internal and external staff, as well as client staff, as needed. We are seeking an individual who takes extreme ownership over their responsibilities, seeks to provide fast responses in writing and by phone, and will do what it takes to serve and over-deliver to Vessel Advisors' clients.

Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Construction & Real Estate Expertise: Has experience as a Controller for growing companies with dynamic, ever-changing needs, specifically within the Construction and/or Real Estate Development industries (a hybrid of both is ideal). Do not apply without relevant Construction and/or Real Estate industry experience.
• Tech Savvy: The right candidate already knows how to use cloud-based software and is an expert in accounting software programs as well as Excel and Google Workspace (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, etc.). Ideally, the candidate has experience quickly learning and mastering new software. Knowledge in any of the following is beneficial: Sage (Sage Intacct / 100 / 300 CRE), Procore, Yardi, Buildium, QBO, Asana, LastPass, Zoom, DocuSign, BILL, Expensify, and Textura.
• Incredibly Proactive: Looks for things that need to be done and does them without waiting around to be directed.
• Obsessively Organized: Deeply organized, detail-oriented, and loves structured checklists.
• Flexible & Calm Under Pressure: Comfortable when plans change or complex project dynamics arise—maintains a cool head and a can-do attitude.
• Positive & Client-Focused: Brings energy and enthusiasm to building client relationships every day.
• Excellent Communicator: Superior written (Slack, email) and verbal skills. 95% of communication at Vessel Advisors is Slack, project tools, or email-based.
• Fast Learner: Able to quickly absorb context across multiple multi-entity construction, development, or property management clients.
• Remote Work Experience: Proven track record of operating effectively in a remote role prior to COVID-19.
• Discretion & Confidentiality: Maintains complete confidentiality and discretion with sensitive client data.
• Perfectionist Standards: Precision in managing large volumes of complex, detailed transactions, job costs, and entity reconciliations each month.

Controller Job Responsibilities

• Support the VP of Operations and other Vessel Advisors Controllers and/or CFOs by handling accounting questions, financial reporting needs, month-end close management, ad-hoc advisory requests, and client correspondence.
• Daily escalations of accounting questions, weekly management of client processes and procedures, and complete ownership of the month-end close schedules ensuring successful, on-time delivery of financial statements and advisory deadlines.
• Communicate quickly and effectively with various internal and external stakeholders, building trusted relationships with growth-stage CEOs, developers, and general contractors.
• Lead infrequent in-person or virtual Financial Discovery Assessments for new client engagements (travel expected 1x per month or less).

Controller Job Duties

• Job Cost & WIP Management: Review job costs and collaborate with client project managers to monitor budget-to-actual job performance, including monthly Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules, Percentage of Completion (PCM/POC) revenue recognition, over/under billing calculations, and AIA G702/G703 progress billings.
• Real Estate & Development Accounting: Oversee multi-entity real estate development financials, including acquisition/disposition accounting, lender draw package management, development loan requisitions, capital stacks, and NNN/CAM reconciliations.
• Financial Policies & Internal Controls: Guide client financial decisions by establishing, monitoring, and enforcing accounting policies, internal controls, and audit readiness.
• Treasury & Cash Management: Maximize cash return and manage liquidity through rolling cash flow forecasting, operating line-of-credit management, and capital call/bank draw coordination.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Prepare annual budgets, project pro formas, and long-range forecasts by collecting, analyzing, and consolidating operational and market data.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Deliver timely, accurate month-end consolidated financial statement packages, board decks, KPI dashboards, and variance narratives.
• Compliance & Reconciliations: Prepare fixed asset depreciation, intercompany eliminations, payroll/benefit liabilities, sales/use tax, and certified payroll filings, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local requirements.
• Audit & Lender Relations: Manage relationships and coordinate documentation with external CPAs, auditors, bonding agents, and commercial lenders.
• Team Leadership: Supervise, train, and mentor internal, client, and third-party accounting staff.

Controller Skills and Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience as a Controller, Director of Accounting, or Chief Accounting Officer in private business, with specific tenure in Construction and/or Real Estate Development.
• 8+ years of financial software experience (QuickBooks required; industry-specific platforms such as Sage Intacct / Sage 300 CRE, Procore, Yardi, CMiC, or Textura strongly preferred).
• Deep understanding of WIP schedules, AIA billing, Percentage of Completion accounting, certified payroll, construction draw management, and multi-entity real estate consolidations.
• Responsive, highly professional communication skills across all virtual channels.
• Proven capability to manage and own accounting processes across multiple concurrent client entities.
• Active CPA or CCIFP designation is a strong bonus.

Position & Location Details

• Type: Full-Time (40+ Hours per week)
• Location: USA – Fully Remote Working Arrangement. Standard working hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in your local time zone; MST or PST preferred).
• Ability to Travel Preferred: Infrequent (1x per month or less) for initial client discovery assessments or strategic team meetings.
• Compensation: Starting at $95,000+ per year (DOE).

Benefits

Benefits:

• PTO at 120hr per year (3 weeks)
• Health stipend
• 10 Company Paid Holidays
• Sick Time
• Performance Bonus