Job Summary We are a premier, rapidly growing $30M commercial landscape maintenance, construction, and snow management company looking for a sharp, hands-on Financial Controller to lead our accounting and finance team. We have five branches and our corporate office is just south of the Illinois/Wisconsin border. Our business requires a blend of complex construction-style project accounting (work-in-progress/percentage-of-completion) and rapid-response winter snow management logistics. As the Controller, you will oversee all financial operations, optimize our cash flow, and ensure seamless financial tracking by bridging our day-to-day green-industry operations software (Aspire) with our core accounting system (Sage). In this pivotal role, you will oversee all accounting functions, manage compliance with regulatory standards, and guide the finance team toward achieving accurate and timely financial statements. Your expertise will drive strategic decision-making, optimize cash management, and uphold the highest standards of financial integrity across our organization. This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence our financial health while working within a collaborative and innovative environment.

Key Responsibilities System Optimization & Financial Management System Integration:

Act as the primary financial administrator overseeing the synchronization and workflows between Aspire (estimating, purchasing, scheduling, production tracking) and Sage (general ledger, payroll, AP/AR).

WIP & Project Accounting:

Manage and oversee Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules and Percentage of Completion accounting and AIA pencil draws for major commercial landscape installation projects, (+- 25/year).

Job Costing & Profitability:

Pull data from Aspire and Sage to analyze real-time job costing. Partner with Account Managers and Project Managers to track labor burden, equipment utilization, and material costs to maximize project margins.

Budgeting & Forecasting:

Lead the annual budgeting process and manage rolling cash flow forecasts, accounting for the heavy seasonality of northern Illinois/southern Wisconsin operations.

Financial Reporting:

Prepare, analyze, and present accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements to executive leadership out of Sage.

Accounting Operations & Leadership Team Leadership:

Supervise and mentor a small, dedicated accounting team responsible for Accounts Receivable (including complex AIA billing), Accounts Payable, and Payroll processing.

Compliance & Regional Regulations Multi-State Compliance:

Oversee sales tax, payroll tax, and multi-state compliance requirements for field crews operating fluidly across both Illinois and Wisconsin borders.

Audits & Insurance:

Manage the annual financial review/audit and serve as the primary lead for complex annual workers' comp and general liability insurance audits (critical for high-exposure landscape/snow industries).

Qualifications & Skills Experience:

5+ years of progressive accounting experience, with at least 2+ years as a Controller or Accounting Manager. Experience with commercial landscaping and/or snow removal would be a plus.

Software Proficiency:

Direct, hands-on experience using Aspire and Sage is highly preferred. Advanced Excel skills (pivots, VLOOKUPs, data modeling) are mandatory.

Green Industry Knowledge:

Deep understanding of WIP tracking, percentage-of-completion accounting, conditional/unconditional lien waivers, and AIA billing formats.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required. CPA, CMA, or CCIFP designation is a strong plus.

Leadership Style:

A hands-on leader who enjoys diving into the system details while maintaining a strategic view. Excellent communication skills are required to break down financial data for non-financial operations managers.

Benefits & Compensation Base Salary:

$125,000 - $140,000 (commensurate with experience).

Bonus:

Performance-driven, incentive-based bonus structure (+- 20% of base wage if targets are achieved).

Health:

We have a comprehensive healthcare package with options for Dental and Vision.

Retirement:

401(k) retirement plan.

Time Off:

Paid Time Off (PTO) and paid holidays.

Pay:

$125,000.00 - $140,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Disability insurance Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person