Executive search
Interim Controller for Contractors
No postings. No stacks of resumes. No chasing. You choose from a short list of people who have done this before.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Interim Headhunters starts with the work behind this request: Construction firms demand an interim controller who understands the mechanics of WIP schedules and percentage-of-completion accounting from day one. These experts handle complex revenue recognition without needing basic training on how job costs flow into the general ledger.
This is what we do all day: place interim executives, interim managers and contract professionals.
Need someone now? Call 305-306-4829.
- No upfront fee
- 2 to 3 vetted consultants per assignment
- Matched to your industry
- You choose
- Interim plus permanent search
Technical Proficiency in Construction Accounting
Construction firms demand an interim controller who understands the mechanics of WIP schedules and percentage-of-completion accounting from day one. These experts handle complex revenue recognition without needing basic training on how job costs flow into the general ledger. We evaluate candidates on their ability to reconcile labor, material costs, and subcontractor payables against original estimates. A true expert finds the discrepancies that hide in aging project reports and adjusts them before the audit phase begins. They must be comfortable working in your specific ERP environment to extract data, generate precise schedules, and explain financial variances to project managers. This technical clarity ensures your leadership team understands exactly where every project stands regarding profit margins and cash flow expectations before the month closes.
Operational Financial Management and Oversight
The interim role involves more than just oversight of daily transactions; it requires a focus on project-specific financial risks like bonding capacity and retainage management. Our screening process verifies whether a candidate has managed the financial administration of large-scale infrastructure or commercial projects under tight reporting deadlines. They must identify how change orders affect the bottom line and ensure that your accounts receivable process keeps up with progress billing cycles. We verify their history in implementing internal controls that protect the firm from scope creep and unbilled expenses. You need a leader who manages the financial details of field operations while providing a clear picture of project profitability to the executive team. They provide immediate structure to your finance department by cleaning up historical accounting errors and establishing clean reporting standards.
Targeting Experienced Industry Controllers
We source interim talent from active roles within engineering and construction firms where they currently manage complex financial workflows. These professionals are not browsing for new employment because they are busy handling the daily fiscal demands of active construction projects. We reach out to them directly to assess their current availability and their specific experience with the challenges your firm faces today. By avoiding generic candidate databases, we connect you with individuals who already know how to handle the nuances of project-based revenue and job cost analysis. We confirm that their background matches the size and complexity of your company. This ensures that the experts presented are ready to take on the unique operational challenges of your projects without a lengthy onboarding period or significant learning curve.
Immediate Objectives and Financial Cleanup
When an interim controller arrives, the immediate goal is stabilization and audit readiness. The first tasks involve auditing the current WIP schedule and identifying any accounting cleanup needed to provide a true financial picture. They quickly establish a reporting rhythm that keeps project managers accountable for their financial data while ensuring that bank requirements and bonding limits are met. We focus on individuals who can prioritize high-impact accounting fixes that provide the most transparency for your leadership team. They must provide immediate visibility into cash projections and project margins. This work is critical for firm owners who need an objective view of their financial health during periods of transition, growth, or unexpected staffing changes in the accounting department.
Defining Engagement Boundaries and Authority
We help you define the scope of the engagement to ensure the interim leader has the necessary authority to make financial decisions. You choose how much autonomy the controller has over reporting changes, staff supervision, and project financial audits. We ensure the mandate remains focused on clear, actionable items like streamlining the month-end close or remediating gaps in the general ledger. By setting these boundaries early, we prevent ambiguity in the reporting hierarchy and ensure the controller integrates smoothly with your existing team. The interim leader acts as a functional extension of your operations, focusing on the tasks that improve fiscal discipline. This clarity allows your staff to continue their work while the interim controller manages the specific accounting initiatives you need to complete during their assignment.
Our Direct Selection Process
Our search methodology provides you with multiple vetted options for review, ensuring you have the ability to select the person who fits your needs. We conduct interviews to verify their proficiency with your specific software and their understanding of construction-specific accounting issues. You maintain complete oversight of the hiring process, and you decide which candidate will join your firm. Fees are only applicable if you decide to move forward and engage someone we present. We do not use automated software for matching; we personally evaluate the technical qualifications and industry experience of every candidate we suggest. This model allows for a transparent and objective search experience, connecting you with experienced professionals who focus on solving your immediate accounting challenges with minimal administrative burden.
What shapes this assignment
Percentage-of-completion close, WIP schedule, project accounting cleanup
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Related
Questions
How does the search for an interim controller start?
We discuss your specific financial accounting requirements and project scope before reaching out to potential candidates. You review multiple vetted options and decide who to interview.
Are your candidates already working?
Yes, we headhunt experienced people currently managing construction project finance. We verify their interest and availability before presenting them to you.
What is the fee structure for this service?
There is no fee unless you engage one of the candidates we present. All terms and fees are agreed upon in writing before any engagement begins.
Can I keep the search confidential?
Yes, we handle these requests with strict discretion. We agree on what information can be shared and with whom before discussing your firm with anyone.
What happens if a candidate is not a good fit?
If none of the vetted candidates meet your requirements, you owe nothing. We will discuss the feedback to adjust the search criteria if you wish to continue.
What replacement terms apply?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
How are recruiting fees agreed?
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present. We scope the assignment before quoting; the fee page explains our model.
How soon can we see options?
Availability depends on the assignment and the people who fit it. We qualify interest and commitments rather than promising a shortlist date before the search is scoped.
What if the scope grows?
Discuss new responsibilities before adding them to the engagement. Agree the priorities and record any change to the brief and terms.
Can we extend an engagement?
Discuss what remains unfinished and whether the same responsibility is still needed. Extensions depend on the person's commitments and the agreed engagement terms.
Can the appointment become permanent?
A permanent move can be discussed if both sides want it. Review the future role and the applicable agreement instead of assuming that temporary coverage automatically converts.
How is a confidential search handled?
Tell us what can be disclosed and whom we must not contact. We agree those boundaries before approaching people; do not send sensitive records with an initial brief.
What are the replacement terms?
We offer a candidate replacement guarantee on standard search agreements. The applicable period and exact terms are set out in the signed client recruiting agreement.
What do you not do?
We do not sell job-board reposting as a search or bill hourly for recruiting work. We do not take a retainer unless expressly agreed, and an introduction does not authorize an engagement.
Tell us the seat
No upfront fee. You pay only if you hire. Share the title, the situation and the timing. A person reads it.
The Six-Step Search
What do you get at each step of the search?
We agree what the person must own before contacting anyone. You see how the search is scoped and which backgrounds we pursue. We speak with candidates about the work before presenting them. The Six-Step Search gives you useful written notes and support through interviews, rather than a pile of applications.
- 01
Scope call
We talk through the seat, the business and what has to change.
You get: A one-page role brief you approve before we search.
- 02
Market map
We work out where people who have done this job actually sit.
You get: A short note on the pool and how we plan to reach it.
- 03
Direct outreach
We approach people who are not looking at job boards.
You get: Progress updates so you are never chasing us.
- 04
Screening
We interview every candidate on the work, not the resume.
You get: Written notes on fit, availability and terms for each person.
- 05
Shortlist and interviews
You meet a short list. We handle the scheduling.
You get: Several vetted options and a debrief after each interview.
- 06
Offer and start
You choose. We help settle terms and the start date.
You get: Confirmed terms, a start date and check-ins after day one.
Tell us who you need.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.
Send us the seat. We will take it from there.
No upfront fee. You pay only if you engage someone we present.