Job Posting: Director of Construction Finance & Accounting

Position Information

Position Title: Director of Construction Finance & Accounting

Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia

Job Summary: The Director of Construction Finance and Accounting holds key responsibility for financial reporting, planning & analysis, financial accounting services (A/R, A/P, Payroll), treasury, and general accounting for Design Build Solutions Ltd. and its manufacturing supply-based subsidiaries. This pivotal role demands strong leadership qualities, exceptional financial expertise, and the adept deployment of processes and internal controls.

Serving as the primary liaison between the leadership team and stakeholders, this role is charged with presenting comprehensive financial and non-financial data, identifying risks, offering insights, and delivering recommendations that drive forward-looking decision-making. The focus lies on optimizing operational and financial performance, enhancing efficiency, and productivity.

Integral to the position is the development and management of financial models, methodologies, strategies, reports, and systems geared towards achieving long-term organizational growth objectives. Fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement, you harness your team’s capabilities and cultivate relationships with Senior Leadership to closely monitor project and company financial performance. This involves executing strategic financial decisions aligned with our business plan to successfully meet all financial targets.

Required Education and Experience

Education:

University degree in accounting or equivalent.
CPA designation considered a strong asset.
Knowledge of accounting principles and practices.

Experience:

Minimum of 5-10 years of relevant experience in a accounting or finance role.

Job Duties

Assess construction project budgets, perform cost analyses, and ensure accuracy of accounts for construction projects through review of detailed budgets, overseeing supplier contracts, evaluating production costs, and verifying vendor statement
Lead project forecasting exercises with construction and development teams for preliminary and ongoing assessment of construction budgets, risks, and financial projections.
Analyze all transactions, working unforeseen costs into budget and advise the project team on the financial treatment and implications of project decisions in time to affect a change in direction if needed.
Oversee preparation and final review of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements including trial balance, income statements, balance sheets and cash flow statements to report results and position of the business to government, creditors, investors, and external parties.
Complete internal financial reporting package and present to internal operational leadership an accurate performance evaluation, analysis, and assessment of the impact to the current strategy, operating plans and resulting financial performance.
Oversee reporting of inventory including raw materials, work-in-progress, and finished goods.
Define accurate cost of goods sold and inventory valuation using Accounting Standards for Private Enterprises (ASPE).
Working closely with the President, evaluate the feasibility of construction projects and the proforma criteria for each, including completing preliminary construction estimates needed for project go/no go decision to be made.
Help managers understand the costs of running a business. Using standard costing and variance analysis, marginal costing and cost volume profit analysis, budgetary control, uniform costing, industry comparison, etc.
Support the VP Finance in negotiations for mergers, acquisitions, and the establishment of new divisions within the company
Establish the conversion rate of raw material into finished goods through use of both life-cycle and activity-based cost accounting methods.
As part of capital budgeting of major investment projects, conduct net present value assessments and cost/benefit analyses to provide vital feedback on the quality of those investments.
Oversee and update compliance management activities and procedures and identify opportunities for compliance improvement across all facets of the business including internal controls, policies and procedures, and disclosures.
Develop and maintain financial controls and systems to manage the company’s finances effectively and efficiently including reviews all expenditure processes and tracking of progress and cost overruns on a consistent basis.
Utilizing variance analysis, break down the variation between actual cost and standard costs into various components (volume variation, material cost variation, labor cost variation, etc.) so managers can understand why costs were different from what was planned and take appropriate action to correct the situation.
Examine the relationship between selling prices, sales, production volumes, costs, expenses and profits to aid in in establishing sales prices, in the product mix selection to sell, in the decision to choose marketing strategies, and in the analysis of the impact on profits by changes in costs.
Oversee cashflow management and initiate project funding applications.
Apply revenue recognition using method of percentage complete for longer-term projects
Develop protocols for governance and audit to allow for accurate understanding of issues that may result in significant legal, safety, cost, or reputational losses.
Establish and maintain adequate risk management processes and methods and controls to identify, evaluate and manage critical risks.
In participation with Senior Leadership Team, identify and reduce the impact of risks that are inevitable and nontransferable, ensuring the documentation and follow through of the risk mitigation plan.
Hire, coach, and actively develop a team of construction accounting professionals with a focus on growing each team member for a successful long-term career.

Job Capabilities/Performance Standards

Advanced proficiency in construction accounting and an understanding of manufacturing cost accounting along with related financial procedures including job costing, revenue recognition, forecasting and budget risk mitigation.
Demonstrates a strong understanding of the construction industry, contract management, planning and scheduling, budgets, building products, and relevant technology.
Display excellent construction business acumen and the ability to minimize production costs through efficient accounting.
Key competencies are building trusting relationships, commitment and follow thru, direct and clear communication, conflict management, managing for results, presentation skills, and coaching & mentoring.
Remain up to date on trends in the industry with respect to construction accounting methods and technology, methods of construction and materials, construction costs, wages and related costs, productivity rates, and working rules.
Uses transparency, flexibility, and creative problem solving to build trust with internal and external stakeholders.
Strong Analytical Skills, quantitative and project planning skills.
Demonstrates the ability to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and collaborative environment while maintaining focus on successful completion of organizational milestones.