Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Construction Industry
About the Company
Our client is a well-established, growing construction company headquartered in Indianapolis. We are seeking a strategic and hands-on CFO to lead the financial operations and support continued profitable growth in the construction sector.
Position Summary
As Chief Financial Officer (CFO), you will be a critical member of the executive leadership team. You will provide strategic financial direction, oversee all accounting and finance functions, and partner closely with the CEO and operational leaders to optimize profitability, manage project cash flows, and mitigate risks inherent in the construction industry. This role requires deep expertise in construction finance, including the ability to navigate project-based accounting cycles, surety bonding, and large-scale credit facilities.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Strategy & Planning: Lead the development and execution of the company s financial strategy, including annual budgets, forecasting, and long-range planning tailored to construction project pipelines and market conditions.
- Project Financial Oversight: Direct job-cost accounting, percentage-of-completion reporting, profitability analysis, WIP schedules, and cash flow forecasting for active and upcoming projects.
- Accounting & Compliance: Oversee full-cycle accounting, GAAP-compliant financial reporting, internal controls, tax planning, and construction-specific requirements including lien management, bonding, and regulatory compliance.
- Treasury & Credit Management: Manage treasury functions, optimize working capital, maintain strong banking relationships, and oversee large lines of credit and financing arrangements to support bonding capacity and project funding needs.
- Risk Management: Proactively identify and mitigate financial risks related to contracts, insurance, surety bonding, and economic fluctuations in the construction industry.
- Leadership & Team Development: Build, mentor, and lead the finance and accounting team while collaborating effectively with estimating, project management, operations, and field teams.
- M&A & Growth Support: Evaluate financial implications of potential acquisitions, joint ventures, or market expansions.
- Stakeholder Reporting: Prepare clear, actionable financial reports and insights for the CEO, Board of Directors, lenders, sureties, and other stakeholders.
- Process & Technology Improvement: Drive enhancements in financial systems, ERP platforms (e.g., Viewpoint, Procore Financials, Sage, or equivalent), and data analytics for better project visibility and decision-making.
Qualifications & Experience
- Education: Bachelor s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred.
- Experience: 10+ years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years in a CFO, Controller, or senior finance leadership role within the construction industry (general contractor, commercial, industrial, or heavy civil preferred).
- Critical Expertise:
- Strong background in construction accounting (percentage-of-completion, job costing, change orders, and retainage).
- Proven experience managing large lines of credit, banking relationships, and maintaining adequate bonding capacity.
- Hands-on knowledge of surety bonding requirements and construction lending practices.
- Proficiency with construction-specific ERP and financial systems.
- Leadership Skills: Demonstrated ability to serve as a strategic business partner to operations leadership, communicate complex financial concepts clearly, and drive results in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
- Personal Attributes: High integrity, analytical rigor, attention to detail, and the ability to thrive amid the cyclical nature of construction.