Project Controller

Dashiell; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Dashiell's Houston office seeks a Project Controller to oversee the financial performance of construction and EPC projects, ensuring budgets, forecasts, and reporting align with project goals. You will partner with Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Finance to deliver insights and support informed decision-making across the project portfolio.

Based at 12031 Kurland Dr, Houston, TX 77034, this role emphasizes cost control, variance analysis, and timely financial reporting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience (4+ years) in related field.
• Minimum 3 years in project controls, construction finance, project accounting, or cost control.
• Experience in job cost accounting for construction, EPC, or heavy industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of construction accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Experience with project cost control structures, financial reporting, and internal controls.
• Proficiency with financial and project controls systems; advanced Excel required.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills for multiple projects.
• Effective written and verbal communication with stakeholders.
• Driving is not required.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and forecast project budgets including labor and materials.
• Track costs vs budgets and provide variance analyses and earned value reporting.
• Prepare weekly and monthly project financial reports and EAC updates.
• Support change orders, contract compliance review, and progress billing processes.
• Identify financial risks on active projects and suggest mitigations.
• Analyze subcontractor and vendor cost performance to support decisions.

Skills

Project controls

Cost control

Budgeting & forecasting

Financial reporting

Excel proficiency

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Multitask across projects

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field

Equivalent professional experience 4+ years

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Financial/project controls systems

Job description

Primary Function

The Project Controller is responsible for overseeing the financial performance of Dashiell’s construction and EPC projects, ensuring budgets, forecasts, and reporting align with project goals. This position partners closely with Project Managers, Construction Managers, and Finance to deliver accurate financial insights, manage cost risk, and support informed decision-making across the project portfolio. The position will be based in our Houston, Texas office located at 12031 Kurland Dr, Houston, TX 77034 and will report to Dashiell’s Senior Director, ERP Process and Controls.

Duties & Responsibilities

Employee may be called upon to perform any or all of the following functions:

Project Financial Management

• Develop, manage, and forecast project budgets including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor costs for high-voltage substation and EPC projects.


• Track actual costs against budgets and provide variance analysis, trend analysis, and earned value reporting to project leadership.


• Maintain accurate and timely financial data in project controls and financial systems


• Prepare weekly and monthly project financial reports including cost forecasts, cash flow projections, and estimate-at-completion (EAC) updates.


• Support change order evaluation, contract compliance review, and progress billing processes.

Risk & Cost Control

• Identify financial risks on active projects and support the development of mitigation strategies in coordination with Project Managers.


• Monitor project cost trends and flag deviations from approved budgets; recommend corrective actions to maintain financial targets.


• Analyze subcontractor and vendor cost performance to support procurement and negotiation decisions.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare, examine, and analyze project accounting records, financial statements, and cost reports for internal and client-facing use.


• Develop financial models, forecasts, and ad hoc analyses to support project and executive decision-making.


• Participate in monthly job cost reviews and project performance meetings with Project Managers, Construction Managers, and senior leadership.


• Produce executive-level dashboards and KPI reporting on project financial health across the portfolio.

Accounting & Compliance

• Manage journal entries and reconcile project accounts for monthly and annual closing processes.


• Participate in internal and external audits; ensure compliance with company financial policies, construction accounting standards, and applicable contractual obligations.


• Ensure all project financial activities adhere to Dashiell’s internal controls and approval authority thresholds.


• Perform special projects and complete other duties as assigned or requested.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Enable Project Managers and senior leadership to make confident, data-driven decisions by delivering accurate, timely financial reporting and forecasting across the project portfolio.


• Protect project margins and company profitability through disciplined cost tracking, early identification of variances, and proactive risk communication.


• Strengthen Dashiell’s project controls capability by maintaining high-quality financial data and contributing to continuous improvement of reporting processes and tools.


• Support successful project execution from award through closeout by ensuring budgets, forecasts, and change orders are managed with precision and transparency.


• Serve as a trusted financial partner to project teams, bridging the gap between field operations and corporate finance.

Minimum Qualifications / Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or a related field; equivalent professional experience of 4 or more years may be considered in lieu of a degree.


• Minimum of 3 years of experience in project controls, construction finance, project accounting, or cost control.


• Prior job cost accounting experience in a construction, EPC, or heavy industrial environment.


• Strong knowledge of construction accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting, and cost control systems.


• Experience with established project cost control structures, financial reporting processes, and internal controls.


• Proficiency with financial and project controls systems; advanced Microsoft Excel skills required.


• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills with the ability to manage financial oversight across multiple concurrent projects.


• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to present financial information clearly to project and executive stakeholders.


• Driving is not required for this position.

Preferred

• Experience supporting large or complex EPC, high-voltage substation, or power delivery construction projects.


• Experience with InEight project controls platform strongly preferred.


• Familiarity with earned value management (EVM) methodology.


• CPA, CMA, or other relevant professional certification.


• Experience with Primavera P6 or other project scheduling tools.

Physical Requirements

LEVEL 2 – Office Professional (Light Mobility)

• Ability to sit for extended periods during computer-based work.


• Ability to stand and walk intermittently throughout the workday.


• Occasional lifting of up to 20 pounds.


• Occasional travel to other offices or meeting locations.

Environmental Conditions

• Primarily climate-controlled office environment.


• Occasional exposure to field or industrial environments during site visits.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions as defined by Company policy.