Masterclass Training: Understanding the Numbers in Construction

A practical, real-world training course for construction professionals who want to improve project execution and strengthen financial results. Learn how to manage budgets, track costs, control productivity, reduce risk, and lead more successful projects—from field to financials.

Understanding construction costs and estimates is critical for all roles. Project managers use it to control costs, accounting and admin teams rely on it for budgeting and reporting, and G&A leaders need it to manage overhead and guide strategic decisions. When everyone understands the numbers, the whole operation runs smoother—and profitably.

This course takes participants through the real-world lifecycle of a construction project—from concept and estimating to closeout and financial wrap-up. Whether your projects are under $1 million or over $100 million, mastering operations and financial controls is key to reducing costs, improving productivity, and protecting profits.

Whether you work in operations, supervision, estimating, accounting or executive leadership, Masterclass will help you bridge the gap between field execution, finance and strategy to improve coordination, reduce costs and increase profits.

Participants will learn to:

• Efficiently manage project lifecycles
• Build robust cost controls and job costing processes
• Connect estimating with field execution and financial reporting
• Manage contracts and change orders to protect cash flow and margins
• Key principles to improve labour productivity and site logistics
• Minimize the misleading effects of revenue and cost accruals on financial reports
• Identify the costs and underlying causes of productivity gaps

Masterclass is ideal for anyone responsible for delivering profitable work: project managers, estimators, supervisors, accounting staff, and company executives

Bonus Tools Included:

• Checklists for cash management, cost control & productivity
• Tables for forecasting and reporting
• Change order and risk management guides
• Real case studies: budget overruns, non-use of accruals, phantom deliveries, bonding

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 being clear, relevant and results-focused, helping contractors improve performance and profitability.