What are the responsibilities and job description for the Experienced Controller with CPA background Preferred 5+Yrs Exp Req'd position at Bailey Plumbing Inc?
Job Title: Controller
Company: Bailey Plumbing Inc
Location: Morgan Hill, CA
Reports To: Owners / President
Company Size: ~$7M annual revenue, growing
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Controller to lead the financial operations of our growing plumbing company. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate financials, managing cash flow, overseeing job costing, and providing actionable financial insight to ownership. The ideal candidate has strong experience in construction or skilled trades and can translate numbers into clear business decisions.
A CPA background is strongly preferred.
Key Responsibilities Financial Management & Accounting
- Oversee all accounting functions including AP, AR, payroll, and general ledger
- Ensure timely and accurate monthly close (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow)
- Maintain clean, audit-ready financial records
- Supervise internal or outsourced bookkeeping staff
Cash Flow & Working Capital
- Manage weekly and monthly cash flow forecasting
- Monitor job cash cycles (deposits, progress billing, final payments)
- Optimize vendor payment timing while protecting relationships
- Coordinate with banks on credit lines, loans, and equipment financing
- Ensure sufficient cash for payroll, materials, and seasonal slowdowns
Job Costing & Margin Control
- Track job-level costs including labor, materials, permits, and subcontractors
- Analyze estimated vs. actual margins by job and department
- Identify and flag margin erosion, labor overruns, and pricing issues
- Partner with sales and install management to improve profitability
Financial Reporting & KPIs
- Prepare monthly management reports and dashboards including:
- Gross margin by department (service vs install)
- Labor efficiency and overtime analysis
- Revenue per technician
- Truck and department profitability
- Provide department-level P&Ls and trend analysis
- Deliver clear, actionable financial insights to ownership
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Build and manage the annual operating budget
- Develop rolling forecasts and scenario modeling
- Analyze financial impact of hiring, pricing changes, and capital purchases
- Support strategic planning for growth from $7M to $10M
Tax, Compliance & Risk Management
- Work closely with external CPA and tax advisors
- Assist with tax planning, depreciation strategies, and bonus planning
- Ensure compliance with payroll taxes, sales/use tax, and regulatory filings
- Prepare for workers’ compensation audits and insurance reviews
- Maintain financial documentation for banks, bonding, and potential acquisitions
Leadership & Ownership Support
- Act as a trusted financial advisor to ownership
- Translate financial data into plain-English recommendations
- Support decision-making around pricing, hiring, expansion, and investments
- Help prepare the company for scale, acquisition, or exit if desired
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- CPA designation preferred
- 5 years of accounting or controller experience
- Experience in construction, plumbing, HVAC, or skilled trades strongly preferred
- Strong job costing and labor analysis experience
- Proficiency with accounting and operational systems (QuickBooks, ServiceTitan, Sage, or similar)
- Advanced Excel skills
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
Pay: $108,000.00 - $144,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $108,000 - $144,000