Controller – Architecture & Design (Ajera Required)

Controller

Location: New York City Metropolitan Area (Onsite)
Employment Type: Full-Time
Salary: $80,000 – $120,000 per year

About the Organization

A leading architecture and design firm is seeking an experienced Controller to oversee financial operations, accounting processes, and business reporting functions. The organization is looking for a detail-oriented finance leader with strong accounting expertise and hands-on experience supporting the financial needs of an architecture or design environment.

This role offers an opportunity to partner closely with leadership teams, project managers, architects, and designers to strengthen financial processes, improve reporting accuracy, and support long-term business growth.

Position Summary

The Controller will be responsible for managing the firm’s overall financial operations, including accounting, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and internal controls. The ideal candidate will have prior experience working within an architectural or design firm and possess hands-on experience with Ajera.

This role requires a strong understanding of project-based accounting, job costing, project billing, revenue recognition, and financial analysis within a professional services environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage annual budgets, financial forecasts, and variance analyses.
• Monitor financial performance and provide recommendations for improvement.
• Oversee all accounting operations, including:
• Accounts Receivable (A/R)
• Accounts Payable (A/P)
• Billing
• Revenue Recognition
• Cost Accounting
• General Ledger Management
• Manage payroll processes and ensure accurate employee compensation reporting.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Lead month-end and year-end closing activities.
• Conduct internal financial reviews and support external audit processes.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local financial regulations.
• Prepare required regulatory reports and financial filings.
• Develop and maintain strong internal controls, accounting policies, and procedures.
• Advise leadership on financial strategy, business planning, and regulatory updates.
• Support long-term financial planning and organizational growth initiatives.

Project Accounting Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Managers, Architects, and Interior Designers to support project financial management.
• Track project costs and profitability.
• Prepare monthly client progress billings.
• Generate detailed job cost reports and project financial analyses.
• Monitor project budgets, expenses, and financial performance.
• Provide additional financial reporting and analysis as requested by leadership.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA certification highly preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of accounting and financial management experience.
• Recent experience working within an architecture, engineering, or design firm is required.
• Hands-on experience with Ajera is mandatory.
• Strong knowledge of:
• Financial statements
• General ledger accounting
• Month-end and year-end close
• Budgeting and forecasting
• Financial reporting
• Project/job cost accounting
• Strong understanding of accounting systems and financial software.
• Excellent leadership, organizational, and administrative skills.
• Strong analytical ability with excellent attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with cross-functional teams.
• Comfortable learning and utilizing new technology and software platforms.

Preferred Candidate Profile

Ideal candidates will have:

• Current or recent Controller-level experience within an architecture or design firm.
• Strong familiarity with professional services/project-based accounting.
• Experience using Ajera for project accounting, billing, and reporting.
• Ability to communicate financial insights to non-financial stakeholders.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) Matching
• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Paid Time Off (PTO)

Important Hiring Criteria

Candidates with recent architecture/design firm experience and hands-on Ajera experience will be prioritized, as both qualifications are essential for success in this role.

Pay: From $98,865.12 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• He…