AGENDA

7:00 am - 8:15 am

7:30 am - 9:30 am

Representative Heidi Boe, VP from CFMA National attending

By invitation only

8:15 am - 9:30 am

Presented by: Claire Wilson, Siteline

Session Overview:

Construction is one of the slowest-paying industries globally. The billing process is notoriously stressful and can strain the relationship between subcontractors and general contractors. In this session, Claire Wilson will facilitate an open discussion between GCs and subs on how we can work together to improve the billing process, resolve change-order issues, and get paid faster.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the main causes of payment delays and actionable solutions to address them.

• Recognize billing red flags and learn how to address them before they escalate.

• Understand both GCs’ and subcontractors’ perspectives to foster better communication and collaboration.

• Gain concrete strategies to improve billing processes and strengthen relationships, both internally and with clients.

Level: Basic

1.5 CPE Credits in Business Management & Organization

8:15 am - 9:30 am

Presented by: Yvette Aubin, EBSARY Foundation Company

Session Overview:

We will cover three critical topics to manage your company’s equipment fleet whether large or small:  

1. Costing methods to effectively allocate your equipment costs to projects

2. Key Performance Indicators

3. How to use those KPI’s to Benchmark your fleet and identify trends.

Establishing effective and appropriate methods for charging equipment costs to jobs is critical in accounting for contract costs. We will review different strategies and methods for equipment costing and allocation. We will explore best practices in aligning your estimating, budgeting, and accounting methods for equipment costs. CFMA and AEMP (Association of Equipment Maintenance Professionals) have partnered to develop the Heavy Equipment Comparator(HEC). The HEC is a valuable tool that tracks 29 KPIs in nine different categories to follow a company’s fleet results. It can be used to benchmark your company’s results against other companies in the Heavy Construction space and identify areas to improve your fleet management.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify appropriate cost methods and options to allocate equipment costs to jobs and repairs.

• Recognize the economics of equipment costing and alignment throughout the project life cycle.

• Understand how to utilize the Key Performance Indicators & the Heavy Equipment Comparator to evaluate, benchmark, and improve your fleet’s performance.

• Gain insights on how to use KPI’s to benchmark your fleet.

Level: Intermediate

1.5 CPE Credits in Specialized Knowledge

9:30 am - 10:00 am

10:00 am - 10:50 am

Presented by: Bill Hughes, Wipfli Advisory LLC

Session Overview:

Strong cash flow is the lifeblood of every construction company, yet many contractors struggle despite profitable projects on paper. In this interactive session, Bill Hughes, uses humor, real-world examples, and role-playing to walk through the full project lifecycle — from preconstruction and contract negotiation through billing, collections, and retainage release.  Bill draws on decades of experience as a contractor CFO, consultant, and construction CPA to share proven strategies that improve billing accuracy, accelerate collections, and avoid the common pitfalls that silently drain working capital. The session emphasizes shared accountability across project managers, operations, and finance, because cash flow is everyone's job.  Attendees will leave with actionable tools to build a more predictable, profitable cash flow process and stronger financial performance for the long haul.            

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the key phases of the construction cash flow lifecycle and explain how decisions at each stage, from preconstruction through collections and retainage release and impact liquidity and risk.

• Apply best practices for billing accuracy, customer prequalification, schedule of values design, and collections follow-up to reduce underbilling, late payments, and margin erosion.

• Recognize warning signs of cash flow distress and develop practical strategies, including team accountability and technology-enabled tracking to support long-term financial health.

• Review ancillary activities and structures to ensure the business is positioned for sustainable, long-term cash flow health and financial resilience.
  

Level: Intermediate

1.0 CPE Credits in Accounting

10:00 am - 10:50 am

Presented by: Brad Anderson, IMA & Panel

Panelists:

Dorsey Standish, Mastermind

Eli Embleton, Zachry Construction

Matt Hollensworth, Austin Industries

Session Overview: Physical safety has long been a priority in construction. Still, many organizations are now confronting different challenges: the human and financial costs of loneliness, burnout, disconnection, and declining mental well-being. This session brings together industry leaders, lived experience, behavioral science, and practical construction insights to explore how connection influences safety, retention, engagement, and workforce resilience while providing actionable strategies that leaders can apply immediately. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of why connection is not simply a personal issue, but a strategic business imperative that impacts both people and performance.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify the human and financial costs of disconnection in the construction workforce, including impacts on safety, retention, engagement, and overall  organizational performance.

• Describe how construction data, field experience, culture, and brain science help explain the relationship among loneliness, stress, burnout, and team cohesion.

• Apply practical strategies that strengthen connections, improve communication, support mental wellness, and build more resilient construction teams.

Level: Intermediate

1.0 CPE Credits in Personal Development

10:50 am - 11:00 am

11:00 am - 11:50 am

Presented by: Robin Thomas, The Beck Group

Session Overview:

Costs in Excess of Billings are common in construction but are often misunderstood.  In this session, we’ll explore what causes these imbalances, how they impact cash flow and profitability, and the red flags that every project team should recognize.  Attendees will walk away with real-world strategies for managing costs in excess across accounting, project management, and financial reporting.

Learning Obectives:

• Analyze project-level scenarios to identify common root causes of costs in excess, including scheduling mismatches, change order delays, and billing cycle gaps.

• Interpret the impact of costs in excess on work-in-progress (WIP) reports and explain its implications for financial reporting, bonding capacity, and audit readiness.

• Develop communication strategies that bridge gaps between project management and accounting teams, fostering early detection and resolution of billing discrepancies.

• Implement preventative controls and tracking mechanisms using construction-specific tools like ERPs, or similar platforms to monitor costs in real time.

Level: Basic

1.0 CPE Credits in Accounting

11:00 am - 11:50 am

Presented by: Chris VanTassel, Wintrust Commercial Banking

Pat Stoltz, Wintrust Commercial Banking

Matt Doucet, Wintrust Commercial Banking

Session Overview:

Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOPs) have become an increasingly attractive ownership transition strategy for construction companies. This session will provide an overview of how ESOPs work, the advantages and challenges of the structure, and the key advisors involved throughout the process. We’ll discuss current trends in the construction industry, considerations for CFOs evaluating an ESOP, financing strategies and lender expectations, and the ongoing governance and compliance requirements after the transaction, including annual valuations and other fiduciary responsibilities.

Learning Obectives:

• Better understanding of how ESOPs work

• Pros and Cons of ESOPs

• Understanding the financing of ESOPs

• Ongoing Due Diligence/Compliance of ESOPs

Level: Intermediate

1.0 CPE Credits in Business Management & Organization

11:50 pm - 12:45 pm 

12:45 pm - 1:15 pm

Presented by: Anna Fisher, Lone Star Conference Chair | Bryce McDermott, CFMA Vice Chair |
Heidi Boe, CFMA VP, Member Engagement