5 Traits Your A/E Firm Controller Must Have
Every architecture and engineering firm needs a strong controller. However, the right traits matter as much as technical skill. Below, you will find five qualities that set great A/E controllers apart. Moreover, each one directly supports your team and protects your bottom line.
1. Approachability
First, approachability drives everything. A department built on fear never succeeds. Therefore, keep a welcome sign on your open door. Support everyone equally, from the CEO to the intern engineer. In addition, treat each person with the same respect. Remember, revenue alone does not measure your value. Instead, you raise the utilization of the people you support.
2. Consistency
Next, consistency keeps the whole firm calm. In fact, monthly recurring duties fill roughly 95% of the controller role. Therefore, never stray from your processes, formats, or deadlines. After all, architects and engineers want to design, not analyze finances. As a result, steady routines help project managers find information faster. Consequently, they spend more time on billable, revenue-generating work.
3. Determination
Additionally, determination separates good controllers from great ones. Often, someone tells me, “Your predecessor said it can’t be done.” Sometimes they are right. However, focus and tenacity usually reveal a solution. Even better, hitting 90% of a request beats the old status quo. So, think outside the box. Furthermore, refuse to accept a $50,000 accounting system that hides pivotal data. Modern A/E platforms like Deltek can surface far more. In short, every A/E firm wants that information on its wish list.
4. Industry Knowledge
Furthermore, strong controllers understand their industry deeply. Whether your firm designs buildings, surveys foundations, or sells apple pies, revenue stages matter. Therefore, ask questions early. For example, ask what “50% complete on schematic design” truly means. Later, you will gain a reference point. Then you can ask why the SD budget already hit 100%. Ultimately, deep knowledge lets you call a bluff. For instance, a project manager says, “We’ll make it up in construction administration.” Trust me, they rarely make it up in CA.
5. Nothing Is Beneath Them
Finally, great controllers believe no task is beneath them. Certainly, you produce and analyze financial statements every month. However, never forget what those numbers required. So, revisit your past roles often. Learn to set up a project and build its billing terms. Then invoice it and record the payment. Meanwhile, respect your support team and the hours they save you. Eventually, a teammate will take vacation. Therefore, prepare yourself to keep the ball rolling.
Final Thoughts
In short, the best A/E controllers blend approachability, consistency, and determination. Moreover, they know the industry and respect every task. Together, these traits build trust and protect profitability. Start developing them today, and your firm will feel the difference.
