Industrial Division Financial Controller

Yates Construction; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Yates Construction in Birmingham, AL is seeking a Division Controller to lead the division's financial performance, overseeing forecasts, actuals, and operational metrics while partnering with operations to improve profitability.

The role requires a CPA/CMA or equivalents, 5–10 years of accounting/financial analysis, and construction industry experience. Strong Excel/ERP skills and leadership of finance staff are essential for GAAP compliance and accurate reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, or Accounting from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) to ten (10) years of professional experience in accounting and financial analysis
• Five (5) plus years of experience in a construction environment preferred
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or equivalents
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and working ability in all Microsoft Office Professional Suite software

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate profit plans, strategic plans, monthly forecasts, goals & objectives, financial reconciliations, reports, and analysis for management, including variance analysis and cost control reporting and recommendations.
• Advise and counsel the division manager on financial implications of operating strategies, cost control actions, and decisions.
• Manage, analyze, evaluate, and interpret financial forecasts and operating results.
• Inform management of results and recommend corrective actions to address unfavorable variances.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate financial data and information for accuracy, consistency, and transparency.
• Maintain integrity of financial reports.
• Interpret, implement, and monitor corporate policies and procedures; ensure financials are reported in compliance with GAAP and local statutory requirements.
• Utilize budgeting and financial reporting systems to provide timely and relevant information to region/division, corporate management, and cost control.
• Control and maintain adequate product costing systems for valuation and cost estimating activities.
• Own account reconciliation process to maintain integrity of general ledger and its supporting sub-systems.
• Assess adequacy of reserves and overall financial reporting.
• Ensure adequate training and oversight is provided to all finance personnel to ensure account reconciliations meet our requirements.
• Establish, monitor, and maintain a system of internal controls that safeguards company assets and provides for integrity and propriety of financial transactions and activities.
• Compliance with corporate policy.
• Manage hiring, training, and development of financial staff.
• Establish a work environment that encourages individual career development and growth to provide adequate and qualified financial professionals opportunity for advancement.
• Detailed Job Cost Projections with Operations Teams.
• Review all job cost reports every week and assist project teams with issues such as change orders, billings, setup, etc.
• Produce and review billings and submit them to Owners/Clients. Reconcile non-lump sum job billings to job cost each month.
• Accounts Receivable: Cash flow should be managed very closely, starting with timely outgoing billings.
• Develop relationship with counterpart on Owner’s side to assist with timely collections.
• Month End Close: Calculate and input all estimated profits and costs to complete in the accounting system.
• Prepare executive monthly financial packages.
• Travel & Entertainment & Purchasing Cards
• Review and Approve T&E Reports.
• Approve & allocate P-Card transactions.
• Provide Detailed Reports: Conduct subcontractor surveys.
• Financial analysis as needed: Claims, Job Cost Analysis, Monthly G&A Analysis, Monthly T and E Analysis, Prepare and distribute monthly Job Cost Report Schedules
• Demonstrate Yates Core Values and Principles
• Follow Yates Code of Conduct
• Safety Responsibilities and Expectations: ...

Skills

Financial analysis

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Cost control

Budgeting

GAAP knowledge

Leadership/management

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, or Accounting

CMA or CPA or equivalents

Tools

Microsoft Excel

ERP systems awareness

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Division Controller is a key member of the division finance team. This role is instrumental in managing the financial performance of the divisions, including analysis of forecasts, actual performance, and operational metrics.

Primary Duties:

• Develop and coordinate profit plans, strategic plans, monthly forecasts, goals & objectives, financial reconciliations, reports, and analysis for management, including variance analysis and cost control reporting and recommendations.
• Advise and counsel the division manager on financial implications of operating strategies, cost control actions, and decisions.
• Manage, analyze, evaluate, and interpret financial forecasts and operating results.
  • Inform management of results and recommend corrective actions to address unfavorable variances.
• Review, analyze, and evaluate financial data and information for accuracy, consistency, and transparency.
• Maintain integrity of financial reports.
• Interpret, implement, and monitor corporate policies and procedures; ensure financials are reported in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and local statutory requirements.
• Utilize budgeting and financial reporting systems to provide timely and relevant information to region/division, corporate management, and cost control.
• Control and maintain adequate product costing systems for valuation and cost estimating activities.
• Own account reconciliation process to maintain integrity of general ledger and its supporting sub-systems.
• Assess adequacy of reserves and overall financial reporting.
• Ensure adequate training and oversight is provided to all finance personnel to ensure account reconciliations meet our requirements.
• Establish, monitor, and maintain a system of internal controls that safeguards company assets and provides for integrity and propriety of financial transactions and activities.
• Compliance with corporate policy.
• Manage hiring, training, and development of financial staff.
• Establish a work environment that encourages individual career development and growth to provide adequate and qualified financial professionals opportunity for advancement.
• Detailed Job Cost Projections with Operations Teams.
• Review all job cost reports every week and assist project teams with issues such as change orders, billings, setup, etc.
• Produce and review billings and submit them to Owners/Clients. Reconcile non-lump sum job billings to job cost each month.
• Accounts Receivable:
  • Cash flow should be managed very closely, starting with timely outgoing billings.
  • Develop relationship with counterpart on Owner’s side to assist with timely collections.
• Month End Close:
  • Calculate and input all estimated profits and costs to complete in the accounting system.
  • Prepare executive monthly financial packages.
  • Travel & Entertainment & Purchasing Cards
  • Review and Approve T&E Reports.
  • Approve & allocate P-Card transactions.
• Provide Detailed Reports:
  • Conduct subcontractor surveys.
  • Financial analysis as needed:
  • Claims
  • Job Cost Analysis
  • Monthly G&A Analysis
  • Monthly T and E Analysis
  • Prepare and distribute monthly Job Cost Report Schedules
• Demonstrate Yates Core Values and Principles
• Follow Yates Code of Conduct
• Safety Responsibilities and Expectations:
  • Responsible for refusing unsafe work and for carrying out all work in accordance with the established Yates Safety Procedures and Work Practices
  • Report all incidents, near hits and hazards to management.
  • Required to wear and maintain personal PPE.
  • Advise fellow employees of hazardous situations.
  • Participate in workplace inspections.
  • Comply with statutory requirements, including duty of care.
  • Participate in required and/or assigned training.
  • Provide suggestions to improve Safety.
  • Present a mature approach to working safely.
  • Attend prestart and Safety meetings and contribute.
  • Assists with administering the site safety program as required and ensuring Trade Partner compliance with OSHA standards and Yates Site Specific Requirements and all applicable safety codes and regulations.
• Other related duties as needed and assigned by the Manager in support of the successful completion of the project.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Business Administration, or Accounting from an accredited institution.
• Five (5) to ten (10) years of professional experience in accounting and financial analysis
• Five (5) plus years of experience in a construction environment preferred
• Certified Management Accountant (CMA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA), or equivalents
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and working ability in all Microsoft Office Professional Suite software

Requirements:

• Must have a strong construction accounting background and a solid understanding of financial accounting systems
• Solid working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Continuously re-assesses the organization’s skills, competencies, and abilities to meet the business needs and drive results
• Effectively leverages functional and cross-functional resources to solve problems, improve processes and meet objectives
• Previous leadership/management of people experience highly preferred
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of corporate financial policies, procedures, and systems
• Strong ERP and business process knowledge
• Superior analytical and thinking skills; intellectual rigor and curiosity; problem-solving capability
• Technical capability to prepare, analyze, and interpret financial and operations data/reports
• Demonstrated strategic thinking and business acumen.
• Acts as a business partner – sees the big picture
• Proven ability to lead and motivate a team of employees in a multi-tasking environment.
• Business acumen and strategic thinking skills
• Customer focus (internal and external customers)
• Must have a strong work ethic
• Must be well organized and a self-starter
• Detail-oriented, professional attitude, reliable
• Possess strong organizational and time management skills
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Ability to interact with employees and vendors in a professional manner
• Ability to work independently and with a team in a fast-paced and high-volume environment with emphasis on accuracy and timelines

Physical Demands/Essential Job Functions:

• Job description reflects an assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Physical requirements for this role may include but are not limited to walking, standing, operating tools/equipment, and lifting items (up to 25lbs). Tasks may also be carried out in varying weather conditions and environments as applicable to the position.

About Yates Construction

Ranked among the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the country by Engineering News-Record, Yates Construction is family-owned and provides a wide range of construction and building services. Incorporated in 1964 by William G. Yates Jr., we have steadily grown to become one of the top commercial and industrial construction companies in the nation. We are financially sound with a significant bonding capacity as well as vast personnel and equipment resources.

Our portfolio includes commercial and industrial projects from various sectors, including arts and culture, civil, commercial, education, entertainment and gaming, federal, healthcare, hospitality, manufacturing, municipal, retail, and technology. We work hard to understand our clients’ business needs and continually look for opportunities to provide additional value to our clients and their projects.

Our client relationships are the foundation of our success, and our primary goal is to help each of our clients achieve their vision. We do this by carefully managing the details and complexities of each project and communicating constantly with all team members.

Yates Construction provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal and state law requirements.

Yates complies with applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.