Job Description

Job Title: Controller

Charleston Grounds Management - North Charleston, SC

Full-time | In-office position

About Us

Charleston Grounds Management is a growing, locally owned commercial landscaping company based in Charleston, SC. We provide landscape maintenance, enhancements, irrigation, aquatics, and turf/plant health programs to HOA/POA communities and commercial properties.

As a local business, our vision is to become the leading landscape management company in the Southeast while building a strong, team-driven culture. Our mission is simple: advance our team, produce high-quality work, and deliver excellent customer service every day.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Controller to own all accounting and financial operations while also being hands-on with daily accounting tasks. This is not a "sit back and manage" role -- our Controller will actively process transactions, pay bills, reconcile accounts, and prepare reports, while also strengthening our financial systems and processes.

This position reports directly to ownership and works closely with operations leadership.

The ideal candidate has strong accounting expertise, proven experience with ERP/CRM/accounting systems (Aspire Landscape Software experience a plus), and background in construction, landscaping, or other service-based industries where job costing and gross profit tracking are critical.

Key Responsibilities

1. Accounting & Transactions

Manage Accounts Payable (A/P): process vendor invoices, schedule and pay bills. Manage Accounts Receivable (A/R): post payments, monitor collections, track aging reports. Oversee payroll entries and ensure accurate GL coding. Perform monthly bank and credit card reconciliations. Maintain the general ledger and ensure accurate journal entries. Ensure timely and accurate contract renewals and billing.

2. Reporting & Financial Management

Lead month-end and year-end close with clean, accurate books. Take full ownership of Aspire closeouts and financial integration. Prepare and deliver monthly divisional P&L statements, balance sheets, and cash flow reports. Develop and maintain budgets, forecasts, and divisional financial reporting. Track and analyze gross profit margins, job costing, and branch/divisional performance. Provide dashboards and KPI reports for ownership and account managers. Deliver tax-ready financial packages to the external CPA and ensure compliance with tax, audit, and regulatory requirements.

3. Systems & Process Improvement

Own and manage Aspire Landscape Software financial modules (job costing, kits, budgets, reporting). Ensure Aspire and QuickBooks are aligned and reconciled. Implement and optimize ERP/CRM/Accounting systems and financial processes. Train managers and staff on proper financial use of Aspire. Continuously identify inefficiencies and implement process improvements to support scale.

4. Leadership & Growth

Build and enforce internal controls for approvals, spending, and cash management. Partner with ownership on growth planning, banking, and forecasting. Support leadership with financial analysis for acquisitions and capital investment. Manage, mentor, and eventually expand finance staff (Staff Accountant, AP/AR support). Act as a financial partner to operations and leadership, ensuring strong collaboration between finance and the field.

Qualifications

- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required (CPA or CMA a plus).
- 5-7+ years progressive accounting/finance experience, with at least 2 years in a Controller, Accounting Manager, or senior accounting role.
- Strong ERP/CRM and accounting system experience (Aspire, QuickBooks, NetSuite, Dynamics, or similar).
- Background in construction, landscaping, contracting, or service-based industries highly preferred.
- Proven ability to balance transaction-level detail with big-picture financial analysis.
- Hands-on, detail-oriented, and process-driven with excellent organizational skills.
- Strong communication and leadership skills.

Compensation & Benefits

- Competitive salary: $90,000 - $105,000 pending experience
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off (PTO) and holidays plus off all Christmas week
- 401(k) with company match
- Professional development, training, and advancement opportunities

Why Join Us?

- Be part of a local, growth-minded company making an impact in Charleston.
- Play a critical role in building financial systems and scaling operations.
- Collaborative, team-oriented environment with a focus on growth and excellence.

Job Type: Full-time

Base Pay: $90,000.00 - $105,000.00 per year

Benefits:

401(k) Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Vision insurance
Experience:

Controller: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:

North Charleston, SC 29418 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:

North Charleston, SC 29418: Relocate before starting work (Preferred)
Work Location: In person