Location: Canton, Mississippi
Employment Type: Full-time / Contract / On-Site 4 days per week
Position Overview
We are seeking a highly skilled and resilient Business Unit Finance Manager / Controller to support a complex, project-driven construction business. This role has significant visibility across both finance and operations, requiring a strong technical accounting foundation, commercial acumen, and the ability to influence stakeholders across the organization.
The position is critical to the financial health of the business unit, with primary responsibility for project-level P&L oversight, financial analysis, and strategic partnership with operations. Given the complexity of the business and customer contract structures, this role requires a hands-on leader with deep experience in long-term contract accounting.
Key Responsibilities
- Project-Based Financial Oversight
- Own and manage P&L performance at the project level, including detailed margin analysis and variance reporting
- Analyze project profitability, identify risks, and provide actionable insights to improve financial outcomes
- Revenue Recognition & Technical Accounting
- Apply expertise in long-term contract accounting, including percentage of completion (POC) methodologies
- Interpret and account for T&M (time and materials) contracts with "not-to-exceed" provisions
- Evaluate and properly recognize project losses, including situations where costs exceed contractual limits
- Business Partnership
- Act as a key finance partner to operations, providing guidance and challenging assumptions where necessary
- Demonstrate a "strong backbone" in driving financial discipline across operational teams
- Collaborate effectively with finance peers across multiple business units
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Prepare monthly EBITDA calculations and deliver detailed insights to business leadership
- Perform margin analysis by project, including drivers of profitability and cost overruns
- Support executive reporting, including presentations to the Business Unit President
- Cash Flow & Billing
- Oversee project billing processes and ensure alignment with contract terms
- Develop and manage cash flow forecasts with a focus on construction project timing
- General Accounting
- Prepare and review journal entries and support the month-end close process
- Partner with shared services for AP, payroll, and balance sheet management (not directly responsible)
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA preferred)
- Extensive experience in utilities, construction or project-based industries required
- Strong expertise in:
- Long-term contract accounting
- Percentage of completion (POC) revenue recognition
- T&M and not-to-exceed contract structures
- Proven track record of working in project-level financial environments
- Demonstrated ability to influence and challenge operational leadership
- Advanced analytical skills with strong attention to detail
- Experience working in complex, fast-paced environments with evolving business needs
About Korn Ferry
Korn Ferry unleashes potential in people, teams, and organizations. We work with our clients to design optimal organization structures, roles, and responsibilities. We help them hire the right people and advise them on how to reward and motivate their workforce while developing professionals as they navigate and advance their careers. To learn more, please visit Korn Ferry at www.Kornferry.com
