The Finance Manager will be based in Ottawa and fully embedded within the Project Delivery team, acting as a key business partner to project leadership. This role is responsible for ensuring strong financial control, visibility, and performance across assigned projects.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Planning & Cost Control
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Ensure projects remain within approved financial targets
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Develop and maintain project budgets (baseline and revisions)
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Monitor actual costs vs. budget, including variance analysis
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Track commitments (subcontracts, purchase orders) against approved budgets
Forecasting & Financial Visibility
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Provide forward-looking financial insights and early warning indicators
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Prepare monthly Cost-to-Complete (CTC) and Estimate at Completion (EAC)
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Update project margin forecasts
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Identify risks and opportunities impacting profitability
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Support scenario analysis (best case, downside, stress scenarios)
Cash Flow & Liquidity Management
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Prepare and continuously update project cash flow forecasts
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Monitor client billing, cash collections, and supplier/subcontractor payments
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Optimize working capital, including receivables (DSO) and payables (DPO)
Financial Reporting & Compliance
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Ensure accurate reflection of project performance in financial statements
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Apply revenue recognition methodology (percentage of completion – POC)
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Validate earned value and progress measurement with operations teams
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Ensure compliance with IFRS/GAAP standards and internal policies
Margin Protection & Commercial Support
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Analyze financial aspects of contracts (pricing, escalation, penalties)
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Track and value variations, change orders, claims, and backcharges
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Support the commercial team in negotiations
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Ensure all changes are reflected in budgets, forecasts, and revenue recognition
Risk Management
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Identify financial risks, including cost overruns, delays, and market fluctuations
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Quantify and track risk provisions
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Maintain risk registers with probability and financial impact assessments
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Support development and execution of mitigation strategies
Reporting & Stakeholder Communication
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Produce monthly project financial reports, including cost vs. budget, EAC, margin analysis, and cash flow
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Participate in project review meetings and executive/board reporting
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Maintain strong audit trails and high-quality documentation
Pre-Commitment Financial Controls
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Validate financial aspects of subcontracts and purchase orders prior to commitment
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Ensure alignment with budgets and forecasts
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Track committed vs. incurred costs
Systems & Data Integrity
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Ensure accurate and effective use of ERP systems (Microsoft D365) for cost tracking, revenue recognition, and commitments
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Maintain data integrity and coding structures
Business Partnership
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Act as a trusted advisor to the Project Director and operational teams
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Challenge assumptions related to productivity, schedule, and costs
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Support key decision-making (e.g., make-or-buy, acceleration strategies, claims approach)
Team Leadership
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Lead and mentor cost accountants and related support roles
Qualifications & Experience
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Recognized accounting designation or degree in Finance or a related field
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8–10 years of progressive experience in financial management within large-scale construction projects
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to develop actionable solutions
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Solid understanding of financial reporting, audit processes, and quality assurance practices
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Proven ability to assess complex financial data, identify risks, and recommend mitigation strategies
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Strong leadership and influencing skills, with the ability to drive adherence to financial controls across stakeholders
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Experience with governance frameworks, risk management, and financial controls in project environments
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Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey financial concepts clearly and concisely
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Strong interpersonal skills, with a track record of building collaborative relationships across operational and support teams
