Vice President- Controller

Description

Collins is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Vice President—Controller to join our team in our Chicago, Illinois, office. As a growing and multi-disciplined civil engineering and professional services firm, Collins is a great place to grow your career and advance your passion. Collins Engineers, Inc. provides design and analysis services coupled with field experience to the transportation, marine, construction, and land development industries.  As an ENR Top 500 Design Firm, Collins makes its people and culture a top priority. We pride ourselves in fostering collaboration and an environment where each employee is an integral part of the team.

The Vice President—Controller leads the company’s accounting department, ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of financial statements, and adherence to GAAP standards, FAR, and company policies. This position is responsible for maintaining fiscal records, preparing financial reports and budgets, and providing financial insights to senior leadership. The Vice President—Controller directs and has overall supervisory responsibility for the accounting department, project and cost accounting, client audit responses, budgetary controls, and travel functions. This role reports to the Chief Operating Officer while regularly interacting with other executive C-suite roles. The Vice President­—Controller will provide financial insight, adopt technological advancements, and develop and implement strategies for the growth of the company.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Leads and manages the accounting department, including maintaining accounting principles, practices, and procedures.
• Directs general accounting responsibilities, including quarterly/annual financials, annual budgeting, annual insurance reporting, ad hoc reports, ERP review and maintenance, developing reports, and reviewing work processes for efficiency.
• Maintains proper controls to prevent fraud.
• Manages FAR compliance reporting, including indirect cost report submissions and subsequent public agency auditor follow-up during the audit review process.
• Coordinates with operating units to administer annual budgets.
• Appraises company’s financial position and issues monthly, quarterly, and yearly financial and operating reports.
• Oversees the month-end close process, general ledger review, and revenue recognition.
• Presents financial information to senior management.
• Interprets operating results as they affect the financial aspects of the firm and makes specific recommendations resulting in operating efficiencies.
• Consults with project leadership on project profitability through monthly revenue review and project review meetings.
• Compiles and files required external reports and compliance with associated regulations.
• Coordinates with external consultants to provide financial information for annual filings, e.g., state taxes, overhead rates, etc.

Qualifications

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• Professional certification, e.g., CPA, preferred
• Experience in professional services, particularly the AEC industry, with public agency work, preferred
• FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) experience required
• Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint and Concur preferred
• Minimum of 10 years of related experience.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee frequently is required to talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.