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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Field Controller

💰 $85,000 - $130,000

FinanceAccountingOperationsConstructionEnergyManufacturing

🎯 Role Definition

A Field Controller serves as the crucial financial anchor for our field operations, acting as a strategic business partner to Project Managers and regional leadership. This role is embedded within the operations, providing hands-on financial leadership, rigorous cost control, and insightful analysis directly at the project or plant level. The Field Controller is responsible for the integrity of project-related financial data, from initial budget to final close-out, ensuring profitability, compliance, and operational efficiency. You will be the go-to expert for all financial matters on-site, translating complex financial information into actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders and bridging the gap between field activities and corporate finance.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Project Accountant
  • Senior Financial Analyst (FP&A)
  • Cost Accounting Manager

Advancement To:

  • Regional Controller or Divisional CFO
  • Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)
  • Corporate Controller

Lateral Moves:

  • Operations Finance Manager
  • Internal Audit Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Direct and manage all financial and accounting activities for assigned projects or operational sites, including general ledger, job costing, and financial reporting.
  • Spearhead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close process for field operations, ensuring timely and accurate submission of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP.
  • Develop, maintain, and analyze project budgets, forecasts, and estimates at completion (EACs), providing detailed variance analysis and commentary to management.
  • Act as a key business partner to Project Managers and Operations Directors, providing financial guidance and decision support to drive project profitability and cost efficiency.
  • Implement and enforce robust internal controls at the field level to ensure compliance with corporate policies, SOX requirements, and regulatory standards.
  • Oversee the complete project lifecycle from a financial perspective, including contract review, cost tracking, change order management, and project close-out procedures.
  • Manage and forecast project cash flow, working capital, and capital expenditures (CapEx), optimizing financial resources and providing visibility to corporate treasury.
  • Prepare and present comprehensive monthly financial review packages to senior leadership, highlighting key performance indicators, financial trends, risks, and opportunities.
  • Analyze labor, material, and subcontractor costs, identifying opportunities for cost reduction and operational process improvements.
  • Oversee the accounting for project-specific assets, including inventory valuation, fixed asset management, and equipment utilization tracking.
  • Lead the financial review of bids and proposals for new projects, assessing profitability, risk, and cash flow implications.
  • Serve as the primary liaison between field operations and the corporate accounting/finance departments to ensure seamless information flow and alignment.
  • Analyze and interpret complex project contracts to ensure proper revenue recognition and billing procedures are followed consistently.
  • Drive a culture of financial accountability and discipline within the field operations team through training and continuous communication.
  • Perform detailed balance sheet reconciliations for project-related accounts, ensuring all entries are properly supported and documented.

Secondary Functions

  • Support internal and external audit requests by providing necessary documentation, explanations, and analysis for project-related inquiries.
  • Mentor and develop junior accounting or administrative staff located at the project site or within the region.
  • Participate in the implementation and enhancement of ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Viewpoint) and other financial software tools.
  • Lead ad-hoc financial analysis and special projects as requested by regional or corporate leadership to support strategic initiatives.
  • Assist in the financial due diligence and integration of any potential acquisitions or new business ventures within the region.
  • Develop and standardize financial reporting templates and dashboards for use across multiple projects to improve consistency and efficiency.
  • Evaluate the financial performance of vendors and subcontractors, providing feedback and recommendations to the procurement team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Advanced ERP Proficiency: Hands-on experience with large-scale ERP systems such as SAP (FI/CO modules), Oracle, J.D. Edwards, or industry-specific platforms like Viewpoint Vista.
  • Cost Accounting Expertise: Deep understanding of job costing, activity-based costing, variance analysis, and inventory valuation methods.
  • Financial Modeling & Excel: Expert-level proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, complex formulas, lookups, and building robust financial models for forecasting and analysis.
  • US GAAP & IFRS: Strong, in-depth knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and/or International Financial Reporting Standards, particularly concerning revenue recognition (ASC 606) and lease accounting.
  • Financial Reporting: Proven ability to prepare and analyze full financial statements (P&L, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow) for projects and business units.
  • SOX Compliance: Experience working in a Sarbanes-Oxley control environment, including performing and documenting control procedures.
  • Data Analysis & BI Tools: Competency with business intelligence tools like Power BI, Tableau, or Hyperion for creating dashboards and visualizing data.

Soft Skills

  • Business Partnership: Ability to build strong, collaborative relationships and influence non-financial leaders and operational teams.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to distill complex financial concepts into clear, concise information for diverse audiences.
  • Analytical & Problem-Solving: A strong analytical mindset with a proven ability to identify issues, analyze root causes, and develop effective solutions.
  • Leadership & Influence: Capable of leading by influence and driving financial discipline without direct operational authority.
  • Autonomy & Proactiveness: Highly self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a remote or field-based environment with minimal supervision.
  • Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough, ensuring accuracy and integrity in all financial data and reporting.
  • Adaptability: Flexible and able to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where project priorities can change quickly.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or Master's in Accounting.
  • Professional Certification such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Certified Management Accountant (CMA).

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Accounting
  • Finance
  • Business Administration

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 5-10 years of progressive experience in accounting or finance roles.

Preferred:

  • At least 3+ years of experience in a project-based industry such as construction, engineering, manufacturing, or energy.
  • Prior experience in a "plant controller," "project controller," or similar role with direct support to operations.
  • Experience in a multi-site or decentralized organizational structure is highly advantageous.
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