Assistant Financial Controller Jobs in Chester, NJ

Location: Flexible Across Summit Drilling's Eastern U.S. Footprint (New Jersey, Charlotte, Tampa)
Reports To: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About Summit Drilling

Summit Drilling is a leading environmental and geotechnical drilling contractor providing drilling, geophysics, remediation, and specialty construction services throughout the Eastern United States. Following significant strategic growth and multiple acquisitions, Summit continues to expand its footprint while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, operational excellence, and customer service.

As the organization enters its next phase of growth, we are seeking an experienced Controller to help build and scale the financial infrastructure needed to support a multi-entity, project-based business operating across multiple regions.

Position Summary

The Controller will serve as a key financial leader within the organization, reporting directly to the CFO and overseeing all accounting operations across Summit's growing portfolio of entities. This individual will lead financial reporting, month-end close, job costing, fleet and fixed asset accounting, internal controls, cash flow management, and acquisition integration efforts.

The ideal candidate combines strong technical accounting expertise with operational partnership, systems optimization experience, and the leadership skills necessary to develop scalable processes that support continued growth.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations

• Lead all accounting functions, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, general ledger, cost accounting, revenue recognition, and financial reporting.

• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes across multiple entities, ensuring timely reconciliations and accurate financial results.

• Prepare and distribute monthly financial statements and management reporting packages.

• Maintain quality control over financial transactions and reporting processes.

• Coordinate annual budgeting and forecasting activities in partnership with operational and regional leadership teams.

• Analyze financial performance and provide actionable insights regarding budget-to-actual variances.

• Prepare and maintain weekly 13-week cash flow forecasts.

• Partner with the Collections Manager to improve cash collections and reduce Days Sales Outstanding (DSO).

Job Costing & Operational Finance

• Oversee work-in-progress (WIP) reporting, project accounting, revenue recognition, and contract profitability analysis.

• Partner closely with operational leaders to evaluate project margins, labor productivity, equipment utilization, and material costs.

• Develop reporting and analytical tools that improve visibility into project performance across multiple service lines.

• Ensure accurate tracking and reporting of fleet assets, capital expenditures, equipment utilization, and depreciation schedules.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Systems Integration

• Lead the financial integration of acquired companies, ensuring consistency in accounting policies, procedures, and reporting standards.

• Drive standardization across entities while supporting operational flexibility where needed.

• Partner with leadership to optimize GoldFinch (Salesforce-based ERP) and related financial systems.

• Improve processes for multi-entity consolidations, intercompany accounting, project costing, and financial reporting.

Compliance, Controls & Audit Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local reporting requirements.

• Manage annual financial statement audits and serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors.

• Coordinate lender reporting and financial covenant compliance.

• Design, implement, and continuously improve internal controls, accounting policies, approval workflows, and close procedures.

• Maintain a strong control environment that supports both growth and operational efficiency.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Partner with executive and operational leadership to provide financial guidance and strategic decision support.

• Translate complex financial information into actionable business insights for stakeholders across the organization.

Qualifications

Required Experience

• 8–12+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.

• Minimum of 3 years in a Controller, Assistant Controller, or senior financial leadership role.

• Strong experience managing accounting operations within a project-based environment.

• Proven success leading month-end close, financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting processes.

• Multi-entity accounting and consolidation experience.

• Experience managing external audits and lender reporting requirements.

Preferred Industry Experience

Direct experience within one or more of the following industries is strongly preferred:

• Environmental Services

• Drilling

• Construction

• Geotechnical Services

• Heavy Civil Construction

• Specialty Contracting

Technical Expertise

• Deep understanding of project accounting, job costing, WIP reporting, and revenue recognition.

• Experience integrating accounting systems and teams following mergers and acquisitions.

• Advanced Excel skills, including financial modeling and reporting.

• Experience with construction or project-based ERP systems.

• Familiarity with Salesforce-based systems is a plus.

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration required.

• Active CPA designation strongly preferred.

• CCIFP (Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional) designation is highly desirable.

Leadership Competencies

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

• Ability to influence operational leaders through financial insight and data-driven decision-making.

• Strategic mindset with a hands-on approach to execution.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

EEOC Statement: We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.