Project Controller

McKinstry Company; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 124,000 - 214,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with employer match and profit‑

Paid time off and holidays

Comprehensive medical, prescription, &

Vision with low deductibles

Job summary

McKinstry is seeking a highly seasoned Project Controller to serve as the financial lead on a major Seattle-based program. You will own cost control, budget management, cost-to-complete forecasting, and revenue recognition under ASC 606, coordinating with Legal, Tax, and F&A.

The role requires deep experience with complex contracts and executive-level reporting. Ideal candidates bring 15+ years in financial controls for large, long-cycle programs (>$200M), CPA preferred (MBA acceptable), and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA preferred; MBA considered in lieu for exceptional track records.

Responsibilities

• Own financial controls for a large program, including cost coding, budgets, cost-to-complete forecasting, and audit-ready documentation.
• Lead owner billing across complex contract structures to ensure timely invoicing.
• Manage large subcontractor AP, lien waivers, and payment controls.
• Interface with Legal, Tax, and F&A on multi-entity billing, ASC 606, and tax nexus.
• Present financial status and risk updates to executive leadership.
• Collaborate with FP&A on rate substantiation and milestone reporting.
• Review contracts and change orders to identify financial risk and inform leadership.
• Lead month-end WIP close and revenue recognition processes.
• Mentor project finance staff to improve cost control and billing processes.

Skills

Cost control

Forecasting

Revenue recognition

Billing

Financial controls

Excel

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Microsoft Dynamics

Procore

Job description

Build the future, spark innovation and align your career with purpose.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we're building a thriving planet

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We're making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we're going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

The Opportunity with McKinstry

McKinstry is looking to add a Project Controller to our growing team in Seattle, WA. This position will serve as the single point of financial accountability for McKinstry's most complex and high-value program engagements. This role provides senior-level financial stewardship - integrating project cost control, multi-stream revenue management, owner billing compliance, and executive-level reporting - while operating as a credible financial leader across delivery, legal, tax, and client-facing stakeholders. Additional responsibilities include:

• Own all financial controls for a single, dedicated program engagement - including cost coding, budget management, cost-to-complete forecasting, and audit-ready substantiation documentation across multiple revenue stream types (manufacturing/goods, professional services, construction, and commissioning).
• Lead owner billing compliance across complex, open-book contract structures; ensure invoice-to-cash discipline aligned with owner cost breakdown and reporting requirements, preventing payment cycle delays at scale.
• Manage large, active subcontractor accounts payable book - overseeing payment chain discipline, lien waiver compliance, and sub-tier financial controls; directly influence AP staff as volume warrants.
• Serve as the primary financial interface to Legal, Tax, and F&A - coordinating on multi-entity billing structure, revenue recognition policy under ASC 606, multi-state tax nexus, and contract terms with financial implications.
• Present financial status, cost control updates, and risk escalations directly to SVP- and C-suite-level leadership; represent McKinstry in owner financial meetings with clarity, credibility, and recommended resolution paths.
• Partner with FP&A on rate substantiation, cost-to-complete modeling, and executive financial reporting through all major program milestones.
• Conduct thorough reviews of contract language, change orders, and subcontract agreements to identify financial risk and billing requirements; advise project leadership proactively.
• Lead month-end WIP close, Write-Up/Down reporting, and earned revenue review; drive continuous improvement of financial controls and standard operating procedures for large-program delivery.
• Mentor project finance staff to help build more robust processes in cost control, billing compliance, and financial communication across all projects.

What You Need To Succeed At McKinstry

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• CPA strongly preferred; MBA with demonstrated technical accounting depth considered in lieu of CPA for candidates with exceptional program finance track records.
• 15+ years of progressive experience leading financial controls on large, complex, long-cycle programs ($200M+). Qualifying backgrounds include construction, capital projects, manufacturing, real estate development, energy, or infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience as the primary financial owner on high-visibility engagements with direct executive and C-suite accountability.
• Deep expertise in cost control, cost-to-complete and milestone forecasting, multi-stream revenue recognition under ASC 606, and audit-ready financial documentation.
• Strong command of subcontractor or vendor AP management at scale, including payment chain oversight and compliance documentation.
• Demonstrated executive presence - comfortable presenting complex financial data to C-suite and owner representatives, escalating risk with recommended solutions, and influencing across Legal, Tax, F&A, and Operations without direct authority.
• Proven ability to build financial processes in ambiguous, first-of-kind environments; learning agility to master new systems, contract structures, and program-specific requirements without a defined playbook.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel and ERP financial systems; familiarity with owner-directed project management and billing platforms.

Preferred:

• Experience in commercial or industrial construction, or design-build environments.
• Experience managing open-book, cost-reimbursable, or GMP-equivalent contract structures where cost transparency to the client or owner is required.
• Familiarity with construction accounting principles: WIP accounting, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, job cost accounting, and lien waiver management.
• Knowledge of construction contract types (GMP, lump sum, T&M) and associated billing and change order processes.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Dynamics, or Procore.

PeopleFirst Benefits

When it comes to the basics, we have you covered:

• Competitive pay
• 401(k) with employer match and profit‑sharing plan
• Paid time off and holidays
• Comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision with low or zero deductible options and low out of pocket maximums

People come first at McKinstry, and we go beyond the basic benefits with:

• Family formation benefits, including adoption and IVF assistance.
• Up to 16 weeks paid parental leave.
• Transgender inclusive benefits
• Commuter benefits
• Pet insurance
• "Building Good" paid community service time.
• Learning and advancement opportunities via McKinstry University.
• McKinstry Moves onsite gyms or reimbursement for remote workers.

See benefit plan documents for complete details.

If you're driven by our vision to build a thriving planet together, McKinstry is the place to build your career.

The pay range for this position is $123,570 - $214,100 per year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. A bonus may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the position offered. Base pay information is based on market location.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug‑free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre‑employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.

Applicants for this role will only be considered if they possess current US Work Authorization, and do not require employer-sponsored VISA support to begin or remain in this role.