Controller

An established commercial equipment service, repair, installation, and parts provider serving Greater Philadelphia, South Jersey, and the surrounding region is seeking a hands-on, growth-minded Controller to lead its finance and accounting function. Recently acquired by a private equity sponsor, the company is transitioning from a highly profitable, metrics-driven family-owned business to a professionally managed platform positioned for organic growth and add-on acquisitions. The ideal candidate will bring service-industry accounting experience, a strong controls mindset, and the ability to build scalable financial processes, reporting, and systems in a lean, fast-moving environment. The candidate should also have a positive and collaborative attitude, be able to assimilate and have respect for, and the ability to lead, a company’s culture.

As the Controller, you will:

• Be a part of the executive leadership team

• Lead all accounting operations including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, job costing, and revenue recognition across all divisions (service, installation, and parts) throughout the region.

• Own the monthly, quarterly, and annual close; continue the disciplined close calendar that delivers accurate financials on a predictable, accelerated timeline

• Elevate financial reporting to the cadence and rigor expected by a private equity sponsor and lenders, including a monthly reporting package with division-level P&Ls, KPIs, and variance analysis for the CEO and Board

• Ensure integrity of the chart of accounts and that all balance sheet accounts are reconciled monthly

• Build job costing and margin visibility by division, service line (repair, planned maintenance agreements, installation, and parts), customer, and technician

• Track, reconcile, and recover manufacturer warranty claims and reimbursements (e.g., Rational and other OEM partners)

• Manage Billing team with an eye on daily metrics

• Design, implement, and continuously improve internal controls, accounting policies, and segregation of duties to support a scalable, audit-ready environment

• Manage lender and sponsor compliance, including covenant calculations, borrowing base reporting, and other required deliverables

• Oversee external audits and quality of earnings work, and ensure timely resolution of findings

• Partner with the CEO on the annual budget, forecasts, and cash management, including a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast

• Evaluate, optimize, and integrate accounting and field service management systems to support scalability and better operational data

• Support M&A activity including due diligence, integration of acquired businesses, and purchase accounting

• Evolve and mentor a high-performing accounting team

• Handle all HR including hiring/firing responsibilities, annual performance reviews, Bamboo HR time reporting, employee handbook, enhancement of company culture (including social media), etc.

• Other duties as assigned

Growth Opportunity / Expanded Scope

• Take ownership of FP&A, including budgeting, rolling forecasts, pricing analysis, and capital planning

• Evolve business intelligence and KPI reporting for leadership (e.g., technician utilization and billable hours, revenue per technician, first-time fix rate, contract attach and renewal rates)

• Lead the financial and back-office integration of add-on acquisitions as the platform grows

• Assume oversight of additional administrative functions as needed, such as HR and benefits administration, insurance and risk management, and IT

• Serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO and the executive team on growth initiatives

To be successful in the role, you must possess:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA strongly preferred)

• 8+ years of progressive accounting experience, including 3+ years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or similar leadership role

• Experience in a field service, facility services, mechanical/HVAC-R, or equipment service and distribution business

• Experience in a private equity-backed or lender-financed company, including sponsor reporting and covenant compliance

• Hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves approach; comfortable being both strategic leader and individual contributor in a lean team

• Expertise in job costing, service contract and project-based revenue recognition, and inventory accounting

• Demonstrated success designing and implementing internal controls and improving the financial close in a growing or transitioning organization

• Experience with accounting/ERP and field service management systems, including system selection or implementation

• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate financial results into actionable insights for operators

• Proven experience in adhering to and meeting deadlines

Preferred Skills

• Public accounting or audit background

• Familiarity with ASC 606 and other service-related accounting standards

• Familiarity with Sage accounting software

• M&A integration, purchase accounting, and multi-entity consolidation experience

• Experience helping a founder- or family-owned business transition to institutional ownership

• Advanced Excel capabilities; experience with BI and reporting tools (e.g., Power BI)

• Familiarity with the commercial foodservice equipment or HVAC/R service industry

• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, results-driven culture with high accountability

If you feel that you are a strong fit for this opportunity, please apply today!