Controller

Controller

About The Position

Spalding DeDecker is an employee-owned surveying, planning, and civil engineering firm of 170+ employees. Since 1954, we've thrived because of our dedicated employees and the exceptional service we deliver to our clients. We hire skilled, professional, and innovative individuals who will add expertise and integrity to our team, and we provide an exemplary place to work. We are a dynamic organization that believes in rewarding strong performance; each member of our team can grow as far as each of their abilities will take them Spalding DeDecker is seeking a Controller to join our Rochester Hills office as part of our Administrative Department.

In this position, the Controller is a key member of the firm's leadership team and is responsible for directing all accounting, financial reporting, and internal control.

This role oversees day-to-day accounting, project financial performance processes, the month-end close cycle, and compliance activities. The Controller ensures the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial information used for strategic decision-making and supports leadership in driving strong financial performance and Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) value growth.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in accounting or finance required.
• CPA preferred.
• 7 to 10+ years of progressive accounting experience required.
• 3 to 5+ years in an engineering, architecture, consulting, or professional services firm preferred.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, project accounting, project-based revenue recognition, and WIP management.
• High proficiency working with ERP systems and Excel.
• Knowledge of public-sector billing structures, indirect cost rates, and labor multipliers.

Skills

• Must lead by example, be approachable, and mentor accounting team.
• Strong servant leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Hands-on and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Ability to translate financial data into actionable, understandable insights.
• High attention to detail and process discipline, seeking continuous improvement.
• Strong judgment and discretion with confidential information.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Lead and manage the full-cycle accounting function, including general ledger, AP/AR, payroll, fixed assets, and project accounting.
• Oversee month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes; prepare accurate financial statements in accordance with GAAP.
• Produce dashboards and management reports (utilization, realization, margin analysis, overhead trends, cash flow forecasts).
• Prepare reporting packages for the President, Directors, and Project Managers.

Project Accounting & Operational Support

• Oversee project setup, revenue recognition, WIP, job cost reporting, and project closeout.
• Partner with Project Managers to interpret job cost data, profitability, backlog, and billing performance.
• Monitor KPIs such as DSO, utilization, effective multiplier, backlog, write-ups/downs.
• Ensure alignment with Deltek Vantagepoint.

Billing & Cash Flow

• Supervise client invoicing processes, ensuring accuracy and compliance with contract terms.
• Oversee AR collections and maintain strong cash flow forecasting.
• Support leadership on pricing strategies and fee proposal assumptions.

Internal Controls & Compliance

• Maintain internal controls to safeguard assets and ensure clean audits.
• Manage annual financial, benefit plan, and FAR audits, ESOP valuation requests, insurance renewals, and tax filings.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, including FAR and DOT guidelines when applicable.

ESOP & Corporate Governance

• Support annual ESOP valuation process.
• Support participant distributions and cash flow planning.
• Maintain corporate records, banking relationships, and insurance documentation.

Budgeting & Strategic Planning

• Lead annual budgeting.
• Support strategic planning, scenario modeling, and capital investment analysis.

Team Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing accounting team.
• Provide training to project managers on financial literacy and best practices.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, process consistency, and continuous improvement.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Individuals must be willing to:

• Work in an office environment on a daily basis.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Other Details

Job Type: Full-time, in-office position.

Schedule: Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types: Bonus pay

Language: English (Required)

Work Location: Rochester Hills office

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Health savings