Fractional Construction Controller; WIP​/Costing Focus

Company Overview

We are a growing general contracting firm performing both residential and commercial construction , with current annual revenue between $3M and $10M . Our average project size is approximately $350,000 , with larger projects up to $3M+ .

We are seeking an experienced fractional Construction Controller to own our financial operations related to job costing, WIP accounting, cash flow visibility, and system alignment as we scale.

This is not a bookkeeping role and not a CFO position . This is a hands-on, owner-facing controller role focused on execution, accuracy, and clarity.

The Fractional Construction Controller will be responsible for ensuring accurate work-in-progress (POC) accounting , reliable job cost reporting , and cash-flow forecasting , while maintaining clean alignment between Buildertrend and Quick Books .

You will work closely with the owner and project team to ensure financial data supports informed decision-making and sustainable growth.

• Prepare and maintain Work-In-Progress (WIP) schedules using percentage-of-completion accounting

• Produce over/under billing and retainage tracking reports

• Review job cost performance and flag margin variances early

• Ensure proper revenue recognition , including change orders and contract modifications

• Maintain clean job costing and cost code discipline

• Oversee monthly financial close , completed by the 10th of each month

• Reconcile Buildertrend project data with Quick Books financials

• Prepare 60–90 day cash flow forecasts tied to active projects and draw schedules

• Support year-end tax preparation and coordination with external CPA

• Serve as the financial owner of Buildertrend ↔ Quick Books integration

• Establish and enforce accounting procedures for:

  • Contract setup

  • Change orders

  • Draw schedules

  • Retention

• Improve reporting accuracy without adding unnecessary complexity

• Provide clear, actionable financial insight to the owner

• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience in the construction industry

• Demonstrated experience producing WIP schedules and job cost reports

• Strong understanding of:

  • Percentage-of-completion accounting

  • Retainage and draw-based billing

  • Fixed-price and cost-plus contracts

• Hands-on experience with Buildertrend and Quick Books (or similar construction PM/accounting systems)

• Comfortable working directly with ownership

• Self-directed and able to operate with minimal oversight

• 12–20 hours per month

• Flexible schedule

• Remote or hybrid acceptable

• Long-term fractional relationship preferred

• $125 – $175 per hour , depending on experience

• Expected monthly engagement: $2,000 – $3,000

• Initial 3-month trial period , with opportunity to extend or expand scope as the company grows

• Experienced construction controllers or senior project accountants

• Professionals seeking fractional / part-time work

• Individuals who enjoy building systems and improving financial clarity

• Bookkeepers

• Entry-level accountants

• Fractional CFOs seeking strategic-only engagements

• Candidates without hands-on construction WIP experience

Please include:

• A brief overview of your construction accounting experience

• Your experience with WIP / POC accounting

• Familiarity with Buildertrend and Quick Books

• Desired hourly rate and availability

Must-Have (Non-Negotiable)

• 5+ years of accounting or finance experience in the construction industry

• Proven experience preparing Work-In-Progress (WIP) schedules using percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting

• Demonstrated responsibility for job costing , including cost code setup and margin variance analysis

• Hands-on experience with retainage ,
  draw schedules , and over/under billings

• Direct experience working with general contractors (not accounting firms only)

• Ability to independently close monthly books and deliver reports by the 10th business day

• Experience working directly with business owners or executive leadership

• Advanced proficiency with Quick Books (Online or Desktop)

• Working knowledge of Buildertrend or comparable construction project management platforms

• Strong Excel or Google Sheets skills for WIP schedules, forecasts, and analysis

• Ability to reconcile project management data with general ledger financials

• Solid understanding of:

  • Fixed-price and cost-plus contracts

  • Change order accounting and revenue recognition

  • Percentage-of-completion vs. completed-contract methods

  • Cash flow forecasting in a draw-based environment

• Familiarity with construction tax considerations (retainage timing, job-level revenue recognition)

• Self-directed and able to work effectively with minimal supervision

• Comfortable challenging assumptions and flagging issues early

• Clear written and verbal communication with non-financial stakeholders

• High attention to detail with strong follow-through