Project Analyst

Job Description Job Description Thornton Construction is a construction management firm headquartered in Miami, Florida. With over 25 years of experience, we specialize in bringing top-quality institutional, commercial, and residential projects to life. From new construction to renovations, we deliver personalized, professional, and cost-effective services that exceed our clients’ expectations.

The Project Financial Analyst supports the financial success of construction projects through cost analysis, forecasting supporting, reporting, subcontractor payment administration, and financial performance monitoring. Reporting through the Accounting department, this role partners closely with Operations, Project Managers, and Project Executive to evaluate project performance against budgets, analyze cost trends and commitments, identify financial risks and opportunities, and support accurate cost-to-complete forecasting throughout the project lifecycle. This position serves as a strategic financial resource to Operations by providing timely analysis, financial oversight, and actionable insights that support informed project decisions and improved profitability.

Overall Focus Support accurate project forecasting and cost-to-complete reporting through analysis of actual costs, commitments, and projected expenditures. Partner with Operations and Project Management teams to evaluate project financial performance and identify cost risks, variances, and opportunities. Monitor project financial activity to ensure alignment between budgets, forecasts, commitments, and ERP system data.

Review monthly project costs and commitments to verify all forecasted costs have been captured and variances are identified and explained. Support proactive financial decision-making by providing timely reporting, analysis, and actionable insights. Ensure subcontractor payment applications are entered accurately, processed timely, and meet compliance requirements prior to payment.

Promote consistency and accuracy in project cost coding, financial reporting, and subcontractor documentation. Serve as a financial resource to Operations while supporting collaboration between project teams and Accounting. Contribute to continuous improvement of financial controls, forecasting accuracy, and project reporting processes.

Support a professional, collaborative, and solutions-oriented work environment. Maintain confidentiality of financial and operational information. Project Financial Management & Forecasting Monitor project financial performance against established budgets, commitments, and cost projections.

Analyze actual project costs, labor productivity, commitments, and cost trends to support accurate forecasting and cost-to-complete reporting. Partner with Project Managers to evaluate monthly project performance and validate forecast accuracy based on current costs, commitments, and projected expenditures. Review monthly project costs to ensure alignment with Project Manager forecasts and verify that projected costs and commitments have been accurately entered into the ERP system.

Investigate and explain cost variances between forecasted and actual project performance, identifying financial risks and opportunities for corrective action. Review subcontract commitments, change orders, and financial impacts to ensure alignment with project financial objectives. Ensure monthly subcontractor payment applications are entered accurately and timely within the ERP system and meet all compliance requirements prior to payment processing.

Coordinate with project teams and accounting to ensure subcontractor compliance documentation, billing requirements, and payment processes are properly maintained. Support forecast updates based on current project performance, field conditions, commitments, and pending cost impacts. Assist in maintaining accurate financial data and reinforcing cost control best practices across assigned projects.

Financial Analysis & Risk Prepare and present financial reports, forecast updates, and variance analyses for project teams and executive leadership. Translate financial data into meaningful insights and actionable recommendations. Support scenario planning and financial decision-making through detailed project analysis.

Identify financial risks early and recommend solutions to improve project profitability and reduce exposure. Assist leadership with project-level financial performance analysis and strategic planning support. Collaboration & Operational Support Partner closely with Operations, Project Managers, and Project Executives to support accurate project forecasting and financial performance monitoring.

Serve as a financial liaison between Accounting and Operations to ensure project financial data accurately reflects field activity, commitments, and forecasted costs. Review monthly project costs and commitments to ensure alignment with Project Manager forecasts and verify all projected costs have been entered into the ERP system. Investigate, analyze, and explain variances between forecasted and actual project costs.

Ensure monthly subcontractor payment applications are entered accurately and timely within the ERP system and meet all compliance requirements prior to payment processing. Coordinate with project teams to ensure subcontractor compliance documentation, billing requirements, and payment processes are complete and properly maintained. Support accurate cost coding and financial data integrity across project and accounting systems.

Provide financial reporting and analysis to support operational decision-making and project profitability. Respond to requests and inquiries from project teams and leadership in a timely and professional manner. Maintain confidentiality of financial and operational information.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or a related field. 2–5 years of experience in construction accounting, project controls, financial analysis, or a related construction finance role. Strong understanding of construction cost tracking, forecasting, budgeting, subcontractor management, and financial reporting. Experience working with ERP/accounting systems; Acumatica experience preferred.

Familiarity with construction management and payment platforms such as Procore and GCPay preferred. Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required. Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.

Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across departments. Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.

Experience with paperless workflow software such as Timberscan is a plus. Ability to travel to project jobsites as needed. Attributes for Success Candidate must possess Thornton’s Core Values: Safety, Community, Empowerment, Quality and Service, Professionalism, and Accountability.

Must be customer service oriented, both internally and externally. Effectively manage one's time and resources to ensure that work is completed efficiently. Strong organizational skills; must be detail-oriented and accurate.

Behavior and conduct exhibit a positive attitude and outlook on work, business relationships, goals/objectives, and expected performance. Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, multi-task, and prioritize to meet deadlines by thorough problem-solving. Due to the independent nature of work, must be a self-starter, dependable on attendance and work schedules.

Able to exhibit a high level of confidentiality. Ability to prioritize tasks, work effectively under stress, meet short deadlines and take direction. Direct Manager: Senior Project Accountant Department: Administrative Direct Reports: None