Area Controller

Kleinfelder•San Diego, CA

22h•Onsite

About The Position

Kleinfelder is hiring an Area Controller for its Construction Services Area operations, based in San Diego, CA. This role provides financial support and strategic guidance across the Construction Services Area, acting as a key business partner to the Area Manager and Service Line Managers. The Area Controller will offer financial expertise and insights to support the Area’s strategic direction and achieve annual plans, working collaboratively with area and division leadership to optimize financial performance and reinforce best practices. Major responsibilities include finance, risk management, major bid support, contract pricing strategies, financial analysis and reporting, project and financial controls, unbilled and cash collections, and annual planning and forecasting. The role involves working independently or with leadership teams, utilizing industry knowledge and professional guidelines to achieve goals.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive and relevant finance commercial experience in the engineering/consulting/construction/architectural industry or a professional services firm with a project-based revenue model.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, economics, business, or other relevant background required.
Demonstrates professional excellence in a finance business partnering role.
People leadership and development experience.
Hands-on style with the ability to drive projects and initiatives to completion.
Proven track record in contracts, financial reporting, project and internal controls, forecasting, analysis, process management, and technical accounting knowledge.
Strong analytical skills, including the ability to make logical assumptions, draw conclusions from ambiguous data, to effectively reach a viable solution.
Lead project revenue recognition using estimate to complete (ETC) and other appropriate revenue recognition processes.
Ability to work in a cross functional environment and build organizational relationships.
Leadership with a service mindset.
Identify and champion financial efficiency improvements through process evaluations.
Ability to positively influence others with clear and concise analysis and presentations, including engaging in communication at the area, division and executive levels.
Capable of training area resources to raise the level of commercial and business acumen.
Strong attention to detail and a high level of organizational skills.
Exceptional communication and presentation skills.
Ability to manage and oversee multiple initiatives or assignments and prioritize projects and time effectively.
Excellent skills with MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Teams are required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree or other accredited finance certifications preferred.
Deltek Vision or similar software skills are preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as the key strategic business partner to the Area Manager and area leadership teams by providing thoughtful guidance and actionable recommendations for decision making purposes.
Collaborates with operations and functional teams to meet and exceed operational and financial objectives.
Understands multiple business functions and articulate and communicate the impact of financial results to both finance and non-finance audiences.
Lead compliance in revenue recognition through estimate to complete (ETC) processes and monthly project financial reviews to ensure revenue is appropriately recognized under GAAP standards and Kleinfelder policies.
Perform required month-end and year-end financial period close activities for the Area within the Division on behalf of Corporate Accounting within required deadlines.
Support all internal audits and year-end audits in support of Kleinfelder’s audit partner.
Manage the process for consistently tracking and reporting key performance indicators (KPIs) across the area to effectively drive improvements where needed.
Work with operational leadership to ensure employee utilization and project Net Revenue Multipliers are maintained in accordance with financial plans and periodic financial forecasts.
Advise division management on monthly financial results as measured against the annual budget and periodic forecasts; identify risks and opportunities and support risk mitigations where appropriate.
Perform analyses of business financial performance to provide insights into profit margin and efficiency improvements.
Use data and trends to drive business decisions and adjustments.
Perform financial analysis and evaluation of investments, including capital equipment and acquisitions, as necessary.
Participate in strategic discussions within the area leadership team to develop and drive accurate forecasts and budgets consistent with the direction of Kleinfelder and the markets served.
In conjunction with the Division Business Manager, direct the detailed annual planning process covering the overall operational P&L, manpower, working capital, and capital expenditures.
Identify deviations from the annual budget through the completion of short-term and long-term financial forecasts and communicate recommendations for corrective actions to achieve the annual budget.
Responsible to work with the Working Capital team, including AR Specialists, division, and area management to ensure unbilled balances are invoiced timely and outstanding accounts receivables balances are collected in accordance with contractual terms.
Implement process improvements in support of timely invoicing and collections to ensure DSO targets are achieved.
Financial, commercial, and strategic input to major pursuits.
Conduct client proposal pricing reviews for all contracts to optimize project profitability.
Oversee the disclosure and dissemination of financial information in response to RFPs.
Evaluate subcontractor agreements to ensure compliance with client contract terms and conditions (e.g., flow down provisions) and company policies.
Ad hoc financial reporting and analysis for area, division and executive leadership as needed.
Ensure company policies and procedures are understood and consistently adhered to.
Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement changes that are consistent with the area and division leadership’s goals and objectives.