Project Controller

Headfarmer; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Headfarmer, based in Phoenix, seeks a Project Controller to manage financial performance for multiple construction projects from inception to completion. The role partners with project managers and leadership to monitor costs, forecast results, and drive profitability.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in construction accounting, strong analytical skills, and experience with job cost, budgets, and WIP. This position emphasizes accurate reporting and close collaboration with operations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of accounting or financial analysis experience, preferably within the construction industry.
• Experience with job cost accounting, project budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of WIP schedules, percentage-of-completion accounting, retainage, and change orders.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to identify variances and risks.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial performance across multiple construction projects, including budgets and forecasts.
• Monitor job costs, labor, materials, and subcontractor expenses.
• Review budgets, change orders, and cost-to-complete estimates for variances.
• Partner with project managers to develop forecasts and track margins.
• Analyze WIP schedules and revenue recognition for accurate reporting.
• Ensure timely project financial reporting and variance analysis for leadership.
• Support month-end close, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Assist with accounts payable, subcontractor billing, and invoicing.

Skills

Job Cost Accounting

Forecasting

Financial Reporting

WIP Schedules

Excel

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting

Finance

Tools

Construction accounting software

Job description

The Project Controller is responsible for overseeing the financial performance, accounting, and reporting of construction projects from inception through completion. This role partners closely with project managers, operations leadership, and executive management to monitor project costs, manage budgets, analyze financial results, and identify potential risks or opportunities.

The ideal candidate has a strong background in construction accounting, job cost management, project forecasting, and financial analysis, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights that support project profitability and operational success.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee financial performance across multiple construction projects, including budgets, forecasts, actual costs, and projected profitability.
• Monitor job costs, labor, materials, subcontractor expenses, equipment, and other project-related expenditures.
• Review project budgets, commitments, change orders, and cost-to-complete estimates to identify variances and potential overruns.
• Partner with project managers to develop accurate forecasts, track project margins, and implement corrective actions when needed.
• Analyze work-in-progress (WIP) schedules, percentage-of-completion accounting, and revenue recognition.
• Ensure accurate and timely project financial reporting, including job cost reports, margin analysis, cash flow projections, and variance analyses.
• Review monthly project financial results and provide reporting to leadership on project performance.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including accruals, reconciliations, revenue recognition, and project cost adjustments.
• Assist with accounts payable, subcontractor billing, customer invoicing, retainage, and payment applications.
• Maintain compliance with company accounting policies, internal controls, and applicable accounting standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field.
• 5+ years of accounting or financial analysis experience, preferably within the construction industry.
• Demonstrated experience with job cost accounting, project budgets, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Knowledge of construction accounting practices, including WIP schedules, percentage-of-completion accounting, retainage, and change orders.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify cost variances, project risks, and margin improvement opportunities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and construction accounting or project management systems.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate with both finance and operations teams.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.