Controller, Accounting, Financial Reporting

Job Summary

A growing employee-owned design and professional services organization is seeking an experienced Controller for a direct hire opportunity in Santa Barbara, CA. This highly visible leadership role is ideal for an accomplished accounting and finance professional who enjoys leading teams, strengthening financial operations, and partnering with senior leadership to support strategic growth.

The Controller will oversee accounting operations across project accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, collections, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and internal process improvement. Reporting to executive leadership, this role offers the opportunity to influence business strategy, improve systems, and provide meaningful financial insight across the organization.

This is a strong opportunity for a collaborative financial leader who values a people-first culture, supportive leadership, professional development, and the ability to make a measurable impact. The work environment emphasizes teamwork, innovation, flexibility, respect, and shared success.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounting team across project accounting, payroll, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and collections.
• Oversee timely and accurate month-end and year-end close processes, financial statements, reporting, and accounting controls.
• Manage annual budgeting, business planning, cash flow analysis, forecasting, and financial planning activities.
• Partner with principals, market sector leaders, management, and senior leadership to support strategic business goals.
• Identify and implement improvements to accounting systems, processes, tools, internal controls, and operational efficiency.
• Provide financial insight, analysis, and guidance to support informed leadership decision-making.

• Direct hire opportunity.
• Salary range: $120,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on qualifications, skills, and experience.
• Flexible work environment.
• Support for professional development and continued growth.
• Employee-owned, people-first culture with the opportunity to contribute to and share in organizational success.

• Lead accounting operations and manage financial reporting, close processes, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing accounting team across multiple functional areas.
• Partner with senior leadership and business leaders to support strategic planning and financial performance.
• Improve accounting systems, processes, controls, and operational efficiency.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• Approximately 5 to 6 years of Controller-level experience.
• Experience with project accounting.
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and reporting skills.
• Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop accounting teams.
• Excellent organizational, problem-solving, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively with executive leadership and provide clear financial guidance.

• CPA certification.
• Experience in an ESOP or employee-owned organization.
• Knowledge of AEC industry accounting, FAR requirements, or prevailing wage environments.
• Experience with Unanet.
• Previous experience within architecture, engineering, surveying, landscape architecture, planning, or related professional services environments.

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