Project Manager’s Guide to Accounting Practices, Cost Controls & Financial Reports

This course is designed for project management professionals who want to bridge the gap between field operations and accounting practices. By the end of this course, participants will walk away with the tools and insights to:

• Understand Project Financials.
  Clarify financial roles and improve team accountability.
• Navigate Industry-Specific Challenges
  Identify common construction risks, contract types, and operational hurdles.
• Read and Interpret Financial Reports
  Understand revenue and cost accruals—and how they impact financial statements.
• Forecast Cash Flow & Equipment Acquisition Planning
  Strengthen cash flow management, receivables strategies, and fixed asset planning.
• Comprehend Generally Accepted Accounting Principles - GAAP
  Get comfortable with accounting terms and the core principles of GAAP.
• Control Labour Costs & Boost Productivity
  Address productivity issues, and tackle labour shortages head-on.
• Recruit Smarter
  Explore inclusive hiring practices to attract youth, women, and newcomers.
• Reduce Overhead & Manage Risk
  Learn cost-control techniques and how to leverage and risk-reduction.
• Streamline Project Close-outs
  Improve forecasting, close projects efficiently and evaluate final costs.

This course is ideal for construction professionals who play a key role in project performance, financial oversight and strategic decision making. It is specifically designed for:

• Project Managers & Coordinators – seeking to better understand financial reports and improve project profitability.
• Construction Superintendents & Site Foremen – who want to align field operations with financial targets and improve cost control.
• Estimators & Planners – looking to reduce profit leaks and improve cost accuracy.
• Controllers & Accountants – who need deeper insight into project operations to strengthen financial reporting and cash flow management.
• Department Heads & Division Managers – responsible for labour, equipment and operating budgets.
• Company Owners & Senior Executives – aiming to reduce overhead, boost productivity and improve company-wide financial health.

This course is a spin-off of the Finance and Accounting for Non-Financial Managers and was requested by a large general contractor to include issues directly applicable to Project Managers. As such, there are some duplications of content and thus attendance at both this course and the Finance and Accounting course is not recommended. 

Webcams and a computer/laptop are mandatory. This course involves on-screen interaction with your instructor and classmates, reading/viewing on-screen content like slides or videos, and interacting via typing with questions or responses. For this reason, cell-phones or tablets may not be adequate.

Access information and the course manual will be provided to you by your association via email in advance of the training.

Wayne Newell

Wayne Newell has over 35 years financial and operational leadership in the construction, service and manufacturing sectors across Canada, the U.S., and the Caribbean. A CMA since 1972, Wayne has trained and mentored more than 4,000 professionals in the past 20+ years. His courses are known for their clarity, practical relevance, and focus on results—helping contractors enhance performance and boost profitability.