Established architecture firm (~40 employees) serving 8 market sectors across DFW. We maintain ~20 active projects at any time.

Position Summary

The Controller will own project accounting, billing, and firm financials end-to-end using Deltek Ajera as the system of record. This role works closely with sector leaders, executive leadership and project managers and leads a small accounting/operations team.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Project Accounting & Ajera

•             Serve as Ajera power user and system administrator

•             Manage project setup, billing workflows, WIP, AR, and revenue recognition

•             Review consultant invoices and process pass-throughs

•             Perform monthly WIP cleanup and enforce billing discipline

•             Train and support Project Managers on Ajera and project financials

Firm Accounting & Finance

•             Manage AR, AP, cash management, and bank reconciliations

•             Prepare monthly close and financial statements

•             Oversee payroll (third-party administered)

•             Lead budgeting, forecasting, and KPI dashboard development

•             Coordinate audits and ensure compliance

Contracts, Risk & AIA

•             Prepare and manage AIA agreements (B101, B103, C401, G-Series)

•             Align contract terms with billing and revenue setup

•             Review lender consents and contract modifications

•             Coordinate with insurance broker and legal counsel

Leadership

•             Lead small accounting/operations team

•             Manage long-tenured staff with respect and clarity

•             Improve processes without disrupting trust

Qualifications

Required:

•             15+ years experience in architecture or A/E firms

•             Experience in firms with 20–100 employees

•             Deep Ajera experience (setup, billing, administration—not just reporting)

•             Hands-on ownership of billing, WIP, AR, and project accounting

•             AIA contract familiarity

•             Prior people management experience

Preferred:

•             Low-ego, detail-oriented leadership style

•             Confident yet humble demeanor

Not Required:

•             CPA or formal degree—experience matters more

Disqualifying Factors

•             No Ajera experience or surface-level use only

•             Large-corporate-only background

•             Prefers to delegate details rather than engage hands-on

Interview Focus Areas

•             End-to-end financial controller experience.

•             Ajera experience - Project setup from contract to first invoice

•             Handling AIA terms in billing and revenue recognition

•             Leading long-tenured teams

•             Willingness to roll up sleeves

Email resume to jhyer@babich.com