Assistant Controller at KPFF Consulting Engineers in Seattle, WA, United States

Job description

• The Assistant Controller is a senior member of the Accounting and Shared Services team, partnering closely with the Controller and VP of Finance to support accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, regulatory compliance, and efficient accounting operations.
• This role provides hands-on oversight of general ledger activity, reconciliations, tax compliance, audits, and financial reporting while reviewing work prepared by others and providing technical guidance across the accounting team.
• The Assistant Controller will also help streamline manual processes and expand the team’s capacity as KPFF continues to grow and navigate increasing financial and regulatory complexity.

Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations
• Support and provide oversight for monthly and fiscal year-end close processes, including reviewing journal entries, general ledger reconciliations, and supporting schedules for accuracy, completeness, and GAAP compliance.
• Review the work of accounting team members, resolve complex or unusual items, and ensure issues are addressed before financial information is finalized.
• Review journal entries, reconciliations, and financial statements for accuracy and GAAP compliance.
• Analyze financial results, investigate unusual variances, and communicate key findings to leadership.
• Maintain general ledger integrity and provide oversight for complex accounting areas, including leases across KPFF’s multi-location portfolio, fixed assets, accruals, prepaids, and intercompany activity.
• Partner with Finance and operational leaders on budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting.
• Compliance, Controls & Audit
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls, accounting policies, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate and support recurring financial and indirect cost rate audits, including reviewing documentation, managing time-sensitive requests, responding to auditor questions, and helping resolve findings.
• Support state, local, and project-specific audits that may arise throughout the year.
• Research and implement new accounting standards and reporting requirements.
• Oversee and review federal, state, and local tax compliance activities across KPFF’s multi-location operations, including business, use, personal property, and other applicable taxes.
• Coordinate with external tax advisors, prepare and review supporting documentation, monitor filing requirements and deadlines, and stay current on regulatory changes affecting KPFF’s locations and operations.
• Support compliance activities associated with operations in Canada, U.S. territories, and other jurisdictions as the firm’s geographic footprint evolves.
• Leadership, Collaboration & Process Improvement
• Provide technical guidance, education, and mentorship to accounting team members and Project Cost Accountants across the organization.
• Serve as an escalation point for complex accounting questions and close-related issues.
• Promote consistent accounting practices, documentation, and knowledge sharing across KPFF’s decentralized organization.
• Partner across Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Benefits, and Data on shared priorities and organizational initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to streamline manual accounting and tax processes through improved workflows, Excel-based tools, third-party software, or other technology solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Typically 10 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including meaningful responsibility for general ledger accounting, financial reporting, close processes, audits, and tax compliance.
• Experience reviewing accounting work and providing technical guidance to other team members. Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and the ability to explain technical accounting concepts clearly to different audiences.
• Experience supporting a complex, multi-location organization with tax, lease, and reporting requirements across multiple jurisdictions.
• Proficiency with Excel, ERP or accounting systems, and financial reporting tools.
• Experience improving accounting processes, controls, documentation, or systems.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage recurring deadlines, audit requests, and competing priorities.
• CPA or substantial equivalent technical accounting and audit experience.
• Experience supporting financial audits, indirect cost rate audits, government contracting, or federally funded project work.
• Experience with multistate tax compliance, including business, use, or personal property taxes.
• Experience in AEC, professional services, project-based accounting, or another similarly complex environment.
• Experience evaluating or implementing accounting automation, third-party tax tools, or process improvements.

Skills

Required

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP
• Proficiency with Excel
• Strong organizational skills

Preferred

• CPA
• Experience with accounting automation
• Experience with third-party tax tools

Benefits

• At KPFF, we're not just coworkers; we're a vibrant community fueled by collaborative creativity, offering you the stage to leave a lasting mark through:
• Impact: Your work elevates the employee experience and ensures scalable, compliant operations.
• Autonomy + Support: Enjoy independence within a stable environment and collaborative team.
• Growth: Experience learning opportunities and the freedom to engineer better processes and solutions.
• Community: Be part of a purpose‑driven firm that invests in people and the communities we serve.
• We are passionate about supporting our employees through flexible and comprehensive Benefits:
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contribution
• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life insurance
• KPFF Paid Family Leave
• Short-term and Long-term disability insurance
• Paid Holidays (including two Floating Holidays)
• Paid Time Off (vacation, sick, jury duty)
• Subsidized ORCA bus/transit pass
• The base salary for this role is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and skills. The expected range for a qualified candidate with at least 10 years of experience is $125,000 – $140,000. Additionally, we offer performance-based bonuses to recognize and reward outstanding contributions in each Reporting Center. During the interview process, we'll address any questions you may have about the overall compensation package and benefits.