Controller Jobs in Riverside, CA

Project Accountant

The Project Accountant serves as the financial operations controller for an assigned Area, supporting multiple concurrent projects. This role ensures structured financial setup, disciplined cost tracking, organized billing, compliant payroll reporting, and reliable cash flow coordination across all active projects.

As Mendoza Companies transitions from a family-operated construction company into a structured, multi-business-unit organization under Mission 2040, strong financial systems are essential to scalability. The Project Accountant plays a key role in installing and maintaining those systemsprotecting margin, compliance, and liquidity while supporting operational execution.

This role will work in close coordination with the incoming Director of Construction Finance and will help establish structured financial operating procedures during this growth phase. As financial leadership infrastructure expands, collaboration rhythms and submission workflows may evolve.

This is not a clerical role. It is a structured accounting position embedded within operations, responsible for financial accuracy, documentation control, and organized reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Education & Experience

Minimum Qualification Requirement (One of the Following Required):

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

OR

• Recognized accounting certification demonstrating formal training in accounting principles (see below)

Professional Certifications (Acceptable in lieu of Degree):

• Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP)
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) active or in progress
• Accredited Accounting Certificate (community college or university-based)
• Construction Accounting Certificate Program
• Prevailing Wage / Public Works Compliance Certification (paired with accounting coursework)
• Experience alone does not qualify for this position.

Required Experience

• Minimum 35 years in construction accounting or project financial administration.
• Direct involvement in job cost systems and cost code management.
• Experience supporting or preparing Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules.
• Exposure to billing cycles, lien documentation, and certified payroll processes.

Accountability Roles

1. Project Financial System Setup & Budget Control

The Project Accountant establishes the financial foundation of each project by entering original budgets, loading cost codes, and ensuring system setup accurately reflects estimate structure provided by Estimating. Approved change orders are entered and validated for accuracy to maintain budget alignment. Proper setup ensures downstream cost tracking, forecasting, and billing accuracy.

2. Job Cost Management & Variance Monitoring

The Project Accountant maintains accurate job cost records across multiple concurrent projects within the assigned Area. Labor, materials, subcontractors, and equipment costs are properly coded, reconciled, and reviewed in a timely manner. Weekly cost reports are reviewed against budget and committed cost projections. Variances exceeding defined tolerance thresholds are documented and escalated within 48 hours.

3. Billing Administration & Revenue Protection

The Project Accountant prepares contract-compliant billing packages and compiles all required supporting documentation prior to submission. Change order logs and extra-work documentation are tracked to prevent revenue leakage.

This role monitors outstanding billings, supports collection follow-up in coordination with Project Managers, and assists in preparing stop notices or mechanic's lien documentation when required. Upon approval from the Director of Construction Finance, submits billing packages to general contractors (when acting as subcontractor) or directly to owners (when acting as general contractor) in accordance with contract requirements.

4. Accounts Payable & Subcontractor Compliance Coordination

The Project Accountant processes vendor and subcontractor invoices, verifies cost coding, and prepares the weekly accounts payable check run package for review and approval by the Director of Construction Finance. Insurance and compliance status are confirmed prior to payment inclusion.

This role also coordinates subcontractor lien releases and maintains organized release documentation to protect the company's financial and legal position.

5. Payroll Labor Compliance & Certified Reporting

The Project Accountant reviews timecards and labor classifications to ensure payroll accuracy and prevailing wage compliance. Certified payroll reports are prepared and submitted for company labor, and subcontractor certified payroll documentation is reviewed for compliance requirements.

On rare occasions requiring clarification, the PA coordinates with Payroll and HR to resolve labor compliance matters, supporting regulatory integrity on public works projects.

6. Purchase Order & Commitment Administration

The Project Accountant issues purchase orders in the system following Project Manager approval and ensures proper cost code assignment. Committed costs are maintained accurately to support reliable reporting and WIP preparation. Structured PO management supports disciplined financial visibility across all assigned projects.

7. WIP Preparation, Documentation Control & Financial Cadence

The Project Accountant prepares monthly WIP draft support data across all assigned projects within the Area and ensures financial records are complete and organized prior to review meetings. Forecast interpretation and margin validation remain under the authority of the Director of Construction Finance.

This role maintains audit-ready documentation, serves as a structured financial contributor in Area meetings, and may coordinate limited union dispatch requests to support labor cost visibility and payroll alignment.

Core Responsibilities

• Enter project budgets and load cost codes based on estimating data.
• Maintain accurate job cost records across multiple projects.
• Issue purchase orders after PM approval and assign proper cost codes.
• Enter approved change orders and validate calculations.
• Prepare and submit contract-compliant billing packages and compile billing documentation.
• Monitor outstanding billings and support collection follow-up.
• Assist in preparation and coordination of stop notices and mechanic's lien documentation under the direction of the Director of Construction Finance or Executive leadership.
• Process vendor and subcontractor invoices.
• Prepare weekly accounts payable check run packages.
• Verify compliance status prior to payment inclusion.
• Coordinate subcontractor lien releases.
• Review certified payroll and subcontractor compliance documentation.
• Support union dispatch coordination as needed.
• Prepare monthly WIP draft support data.
• Identify and communicate early cost variances.
• Maintain audit-ready financial documentation.
• Participate in Area financial review meetings.
• Attend quarterly workshops, leadership sessions, and training initiatives.
• Serve as financial recorder and Secretary, as needed, in Area D ML10 meetings

Use of the AI in the Hiring Process

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support certain stages of our hiring process, such as application review or initial screening. These tools are intended to improve consistency and efficiency, but they do not replace human judgment.

All hiring decisions are ultimately made by people. In some cases, qualified candidates may be invited to speak directly with leadership early in the process.