Job Title: Finance Manager
Status: Full-Time Exempt
Hours: Monday through Friday (8:00am - 5:00pm)
Supervisor: Company Vice President
Location: Santa Maria, CA (100% in office)
Pay Range: $110,000 - $150,000 annually, DOE
Position Summary:
At Joseph Engineering, we are proud to be a family-owned and operated small business. In recent years, we have experienced strong, intentional growth and continue to scale our operations. As we look ahead, we are expanding our team to ensure we have the right people and structure in place to support our next phase of growth, while maintaining our core values: Be Safe, Be Honest, and Do the Right Thing, the First Time!
The Finance Manager serves as the senior financial leader of Joseph Engineering and a key business partner to the Vice President and Ownership Team. This position is responsible for all accounting, financial reporting, treasury management, payroll, internal controls, and human resources administration. The role ensures accurate GAAP financial reporting, and aligns financial tracking with day-to-day operations while maintaining clear separation between accounting and operations.
Working closely with the Contracts & Business Services Manager, the Finance Manager provides the financial infrastructure, reporting, and analysis necessary to support profitable growth and informed decision-making. While the Contracts & Business Services Manager focuses on contract administration, revenue capture, compliance coordination, and operational support, the Finance Manager owns the financial integrity of the business through accurate reporting, effective cash management, strong internal controls, and financial leadership.
This role is ideal for a construction accounting professional who enjoys building processes, implementing scalable systems, and serving as a trusted advisor within a growing entrepreneurial organization. The successful candidate will be highly self-directed, comfortable establishing best practices, and capable of operating as a senior finance professional within the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
Finance
- Own the monthly close process and prepare GAAP financial statements and management reports
- Maintain the general ledger, account reconciliations, and internal controls (including separation of duties)
- Lead annual budgeting and ongoing forecasting/reforecasting; manage cash flow planning and liquidity
- Manage relationships with the company’s bank(s) and bonding company, including required reporting and financial documentation
- Oversee accounts payable, purchasing/payment controls, and payment timing aligned to cash planning
- Maintain job costing accuracy, including the Construction Work in Progress (WIP) schedule; ensure costs are coded correctly
- Oversee accounts receivable, including contract billing and time & material billings; ensure invoices are accurate and timely
- Maintain and provide supporting documentation required by customer contracts (e.g., backup for labor, materials, change orders, and other billable items)
Human Resources & Payroll
- Perform day-to-day HR administration, maintain employee records, and manage core HR processes
- Coordinate onboarding and offboarding paperwork and maintain personnel files
- Manage benefits enrollment/changes and coordinate directly with vendors and brokers
- Manage recruiting coordination and hiring documentation, and handle employee relations matters
- Perform weekly payroll and related items; review daily work reports/timecards and coordinate hours, classifications, and supporting details with contract and time & material billings; prepare quarterly and annual payroll tax reports/filings (including certified payroll/prevailing wage as applicable)
- Ensure compliance with employment and labor requirements, including required postings and record retention
Reporting & Analysis
- Track job profitability and cost trends; partner with Contracts & Business Services to align job costs with billing and field activity
- Ensure compliance with tax and regulatory requirements; coordinate the annual financial statement review and other audits as required
- Provide timely dashboards and clear financial insights to Ownership to support decision-making and planning
- Maintain financial systems and documentation; improve processes to increase accuracy, visibility, and efficiency
Qualifications:
- Minimum of 3 years construction accounting/job costing experience required
- Degree in Accounting or relevant field required, secondary education a plus (MBA, CPA, CMA)
- Strong understanding of GAAP accounting and reporting
- Payroll knowledge, including wage/labor compliance (certified payroll/prevailing wage a plus)
- Working knowledge of HR administration (onboarding, records, benefits coordination)
- Public works and/or federal contract financial requirements preferred
- Knowledge of accounting software specific to construction (Foundation a plus)
- Able to explain and interpret financial information to internal and external associates
- Spanish language skills a plus
Physical Requirements:
- Sedentary Posture: Ability to sit or remain stationary for the majority of the workday.
- Dexterity & Typing: Fine motor skills to frequently use a keyboard, mouse, and other office equipment.
- Lifting & Carrying: Occasional, light lifting of up to 10-15 pounds (e.g., reams of paper, files, or laptops).
- Communication: Ability to read documents, view computer screens, and hear/speak during phone or video calls.
About Us:
Joseph Engineering is a premier SBA 8(a) Certified/CA DBE, A- & B-licensed general engineering and building contractor based on California’s Central Coast. Founded in 2005 by Brian and Chrystal Joseph, the firm represents a partnership forged in 2003—one built "in the trenches" and tested through every economic cycle since. What began with a single machine and a bold vision has evolved into a powerhouse team of 40 professionals and an advanced fleet specializing in traditional open-cut excavation, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), hydro-excavation, and full-service underground utilities.
Driven by the core values—"Be safe, be honest, do the right thing the first time, and One Team, One Dream"—Joseph Engineering is committed to leaving every job better than they found it. By blending traditional grit with modern trenchless technology, they provide surgical, high-precision solutions for the region’s most complex infrastructure challenges. At Joseph Engineering, we don’t just move dirt; we build results.
This job description is not all-inclusive. Joseph Engineering reserves the right to change job duties and essential job functions as required by business necessity. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis, without the need for sponsorship.
Joseph Engineering is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, disability, or any other status protected by federal, California, or local laws.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
Experience:
- accounting in a construction environment: 3 years (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Santa Maria, CA 93455 (Required)
Ability to Relocate:
- Santa Maria, CA 93455: Relocate before starting work (Required)
Work Location: In person
