CFO - Construction Firm

Wainwright Talent Partners; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Performance incentives

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

Wainwright Talent Partners seeks a seasoned Chief Financial Officer in Boston to lead financial strategy, planning, and governance for a dynamic, project-driven construction environment. You will partner with the CEO and operations teams to optimize profitability, manage risk, and ensure strong financial controls across projects and corporate operations.

You will oversee budgeting, forecasting, cash management, WIP, and revenue recognition while guiding strategic decisions and capital planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably in construction or project-based industries.
• Strong knowledge of construction accounting principles including percent-of-completion, WIP, job costing, and revenue recognition.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with growth objectives.
• Serve as advisor to CEO and executive leadership.
• Provide financial insights to support operational, investment, and expansion decisions.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning.
• Analyze performance, identify risks and opportunities, and drive improvements.
• Oversee project accounting, WIP reporting, and revenue recognition.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, banking and surety relationships.
• Develop scalable financial processes and reporting systems.
• Partner with operations to monitor job costs and profitability.
• Support risk mitigation and internal controls.

Skills

Leadership

Financial modeling

Strategic thinking

Executive partnership

Communication

Education

MBA or CPA preferred

Bachelor's in Finance/Accounting

Tools

Viewpoint

CMiC

Sage 300 CRE

Job description

The CFO serves as a strategic financial leader responsible for overseeing the financial health, performance, and long-term financial strategy of the company. This role partners closely with executive leadership and operations teams to support profitable growth, manage risk, and ensure strong financial controls across projects and corporate operations.

The CFO will lead financial planning, accounting, project financial oversight, cash management, and reporting functions while helping guide business decisions in a dynamic, project-driven construction environment.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with company growth objectives.
• Serve as a key advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team.
• Provide financial insights to support operational, investment, and expansion decisions.
• Participate in strategic planning, acquisitions, and capital planning initiatives.
• Lead annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning.
• Analyze company and project performance, identifying risks and opportunities.
• Develop financial models related to backlog, revenue forecasting, and capacity planning.
• Monitor KPIs including profitability, cash flow, working capital, and overhead performance.
• Partner with operations leaders to monitor job cost reporting and project profitability.
• Oversee Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting, revenue recognition, and cost forecasting.
• Ensure accurate project accounting and financial visibility across the organization.
• Support project teams in financial decision-making and risk mitigation.

Accounting & Compliance

• Oversee accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and financial reporting.
• Ensure compliance with GAAP and construction industry accounting standards.
• Manage external audits, tax planning, and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls and financial governance practices.

Cash Management & Banking Relationships

• Manage cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning.
• Oversee bonding capacity, lines of credit, and lender relationships.
• Work closely with sureties, banks, and insurance partners.
• Optimize working capital across projects and operations.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and develop finance and accounting teams.
• Build scalable financial processes and reporting systems.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration between finance, operations, and business development.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field (MBA or CPA preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably within construction, engineering, or project-based industries.
• Strong knowledge of construction accounting principles including:
  • Percentage-of-completion accounting
  • WIP reporting
  • Job cost accounting
  • Revenue recognition standards
• Experience managing banking, bonding, and surety relationships.
• Demonstrated success supporting operational leaders with financial insights.
• Advanced financial modeling and analytical capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and strategic thinking skills.

Preferred Experience

• Experience in general contracting, construction management, or specialty trades.
• Familiarity with ERP systems such as Viewpoint, CMiC, Sage 300 CRE, or similar platforms.
• Experience supporting growth, acquisitions, or geographic expansion.
• Background working in privately held or family-owned construction firms.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and operational finance leadership
• Cash flow and risk management
• Executive partnership and influence
• Process improvement and scalability

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and includes base salary, performance incentives, and a comprehensive benefits package, which may include: