Accounting Manager

Industry: Heavy Civil Construction | Public Works Infrastructure

Elevate Studio | Peak Experience is representing an opportunity for an Accounting Manager with a privately held, employee-owned heavy civil contractor supporting major public works infrastructure projects across Southern California.

This is a strong fit for an accounting leader who understands construction accounting, payroll, AP, AR, collections, cash flow, monthly close, and the importance of keeping operational accounting moving with accuracy and consistency.

The company operates at significant scale, with approximately $600M in annual revenue, hundreds of active projects, and a workforce that includes both non-union employees and craft labor. The environment is fast-moving, collaborative, and built around trust, accountability, and long-term employee ownership.

The Accounting Manager will oversee day-to-day corporate accounting operations and help lead a team responsible for payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, cash flow, and monthly close.

This person will report to the Controller and work closely with accounting leadership, supervisors, staff accountants, and operational stakeholders to keep accounting workflows accurate, timely, and well-managed.

The right candidate is not overly heads-down. This role requires visibility, communication, follow-through, team support, and the ability to bring structure without creating friction.

• Oversee day-to-day accounting operations across payroll, AP, AR, collections, cash flow, and monthly close.
• Manage and support accounting supervisors, including AP and payroll leadership.
• Provide direction and support to staff accountants responsible for monthly close activity.
• Partner with the Controller and leadership team to keep operational accounting running smoothly.
• Maintain visibility with the team and stay engaged with workflow, priorities, and issue resolution.
• Help build consistency across accounting processes, timelines, and communication.
• Support accurate and timely monthly close processes.
• Identify process improvement opportunities across payroll, AP, close, reporting, and team coordination.
• Help strengthen accountability, communication, and team effectiveness.
• Support labor compliance and related accounting coordination as needed.
• Potentially take on expanded oversight of fixed assets and equipment accounting over time.
• Step in where needed to support the team and keep priorities moving.

• 5+ years of accounting experience.
• Construction accounting experience preferred.
• Strong payroll experience is required.
• Experience managing, mentoring, or supporting accounting staff.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and core accounting principles.
• Bachelor’s degree preferred, though flexibility may be considered for strong accounting experience.
• Comfortable working across payroll, AP, AR, collections, cash flow, and close.
• Practical “jack-of-all-trades” accounting mindset.
• Able to lead through trust, accountability, and clear communication.
• Strong follow-through and ability to keep accounting workflows moving on time.
• Comfortable in a fast-paced environment with decentralized operations.
• Willingness to be onsite and engaged with the team.

• Heavy civil, public works, infrastructure, or construction industry experience.
• Experience with union and non-union payroll environments.
• Experience supporting accounting operations in a company with multiple business units or active project volume.
• Experience managing supervisors or senior accounting staff.
• Exposure to fixed assets, equipment accounting, or labor compliance is a plus.
• Experience in an ESOP or employee-owned company environment is a plus.

• Open to other construction accounting software experience.
• Microsoft Excel and standard accounting tools.
• Ability to learn internal systems, reporting workflows, and team processes.

This is a fully onsite role based in Brea, CA.

The team works onsite five days per week. There is some flexibility for personal needs, but this is NOT a remote / hybrid position.

Overtime is minimal but may be required during heavier accounting deadlines…