1. Role Summary

The Operational / Project Financial Controller is responsible for end-to-end financial control and operational accounting for a services-based, project-driven organization operating under the Completed-Contract Method (CCM). The role bridges accounting rigor and service delivery execution, ensuring revenues, costs, prepayments, and margins are recognized accurately, timely, and in compliance with GAAP.
This is a hands-on leadership role. The Controller owns the financial integrity of client engagements and serves as the financial gatekeeper between operations and executive leadership.

2. Core Objectives

• GAAP-compliant completed-contract accounting • Prevention of premature revenue or cost recognition
• Real-time project-level financial visibility
• Margin, cash flow, and execution risk control
• Audit-ready documentation
• Elimination of post-completion surprises

3. Key Responsibilities

Project Accounting & CCM • Enforce completed-contract accounting
• Defer revenue and costs until completion
• Identify loss contracts early
Budgeting & Cost Control (Services)
• Project-level actual vs budget vs committed reporting
• Track original budget, change orders, revised budget
• Adjust budgets only for approved change orders
• Explain variance drivers, not just numbers
Prepayments & Deferrals
• Manage deferred revenue and prepaid expenses
Monthly Close & Reporting
• Own project accounting close
• Reconcile subledgers to GL
• Deliver executive-ready variance narratives
Controls & Audit Readiness
• Enforce contract, budget, and commitment controls
• Support audits
Systems & Process Improvement
• Own project accounting workflows

4. Required Skills

• Clear understanding of committed costs

• Completed-contract accounting experience
• Deferral and prepayment expertise
• Budget vs actual vs committed analysis
• Advanced Excel skills
• Professional backbone
• Strong internal control discipline

5. Required Monthly Project Reporting Package

Each active project must include: • Project overview
• Original budget, approved change orders, revised budget
• Actual costs, committed costs, cost-to-complete
• Variance analysis with written explanations
• Identified risks and corrective actions

6. Mandatory Variance Taxonomy

• Scope • Rate
• Hours / productivity
• Mix
• Timing
• One-time items

7. Change Order Accounting & Controls

• No budget revisions without approved change orders • Original budgets are never overwritten
• Change orders must quantify scope, revenue, cost, and margin
• Revised budgets must reconcile mathematically

8. Responsibility Split – Operations vs Finance

Operations owns scope, staffing, delivery, and operational explanations.
Finance owns financial integrity, budgets, committed costs, variance analysis, and escalation.
Disputes are resolved using facts, documentation, and GAAP.

Benefits

• Top salary
• Medical, dental plan
• Opportunity for career advancement
• Collaborative team environment that values multiple perspectives and fresh thinking
• Casual dress code