Controller

CONTROLLER

At CKL Engineers, LLC, we are shaping the future of civil engineering by combining technical excellence with innovation and inclusion. For over 15 years, CKL Engineers, LLC has delivered trusted core services in Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) across highways, bridges, tolls, aviation, rail, and municipalities. We are proud of our Chicago roots and energized by our expansion into the Southeast. Today, CKL is transforming into a tech-focused engineering firm, while staying grounded in our mission of "Engineering Excellence Every Time." Our people are at the center of this transformation, and we believe that when our engineers thrive, our clients and communities thrive.

Joining CKL means joining a company that invests in your growth and values your leadership. Our culture is anchored in Leadership, Knowledge, Sustainability, Innovation, and Inclusion.

Note: Despite currently being a remote position, we require residence in the Chicagoland area.

ROLE SUMMARY

The Controller will lead all aspects of financial management, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and compliance across CKL Engineers' operations. This role is pivotal in safeguarding the company's financial health while supporting its growth initiatives in multi-state markets.

Unlike traditional corporate finance roles, CKL's Controller must bring an entrepreneurial mindset, balancing compliance with agility, driving creative cash flow solutions, and building scalable financial systems that support both day-to-day operations and long-term expansion.

EXPECTATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Reporting and Analysis

• Prepare and analyze monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Deliver executive-level reports with insights on profitability, trends, and variances.
• Implement dashboards and KPIs for divisional and project-level tracking.

Accounts Receivable & Collections

• Oversee invoicing, billing accuracy, and client collections.
• Maintain aging reports and escalate overdue accounts.
• Partner with project managers to improve payment cycles and resolve disputes.

Accounts Payable

• Manage vendor invoices, purchase orders, and timely disbursements.
• Ensure adherence to internal approval workflows and cost controls.

Compliance and Taxation

• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and municipal tax requirements.
• Partner with external accountants on audits and annual tax filings.
• Maintain knowledge of evolving tax legislation and industry standards.

Financial Planning

• Develop budgets and rolling forecasts aligned with corporate strategy.
• Support leadership with scenario planning and investment analysis.
• Partner with business development on bid pricing and project cost models.

Cash Flow Management

• Monitor daily cash balances and short-term liquidity.
• Forecast inflows/outflows tied to client payments and vendor obligations.
• Recommend and implement entrepreneurial working capital strategies that stabilize operations during client payment delays.

Loans/Lines of Credit

• Manage relationships with banks and financial institutions.
• Negotiate and maintain credit facilities, loans, and covenant compliance.
• Ensure accurate reporting to lenders and timely repayment schedules.

Payroll

• Supervise payroll processing to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Oversee benefits deductions, PTO, and expense reimbursements.
• Ensure compliance with labor regulations across jurisdictions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (Master's degree and/or CPA preferred).
• 7-10 years of progressive accounting/finance experience, including supervisory responsibility.
• Expertise in GAAP, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Proficiency with financial software (e.g., Unanet, QuickBooks, SAP, or similar ERP).
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate across operations and business development.

BENEFITS

CKL ENGINEERS, LLC provides a hybrid workplace environment while meeting client needs. We offer benefits that include medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance, as well as our 401k and PTO programs - which benefit employees both in the short and long term.

Build great infrastructure with #TeamCKL

THIRD PARTY ADVISORY

CKL Engineers will not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. CKL will assume the rights of any unsolicited resumes submitted to hiring managers or our leadership team, and we will have the right to hire that candidate without any compensation being owed to the recruiter, employment agency, or other third party.