Ascent Consulting

03/18/2025

Risk in construction isn’t just an “Ops problem” or a “Finance problem” … it’s a company-wide issue. 🚨

But even still - we commonly see confusion between construction Field Ops & Finance teams about who should be responsible for construction risk management.

When there’s confusion about who’s managing the risk, it can also add fuel to the disconnect between Ops & Finance — two teams that our VP Jeff Robertson believes can already clash far too often.

That’s why Jeff will be breaking down this topic at CFMA of Georgia’s March Chapter Meeting this Thursday!

He'll be sharing his thoughts on bridging the divide between constructions Ops & Finance teams to promote a more effective & proactive risk management strategy for your construction company. ✅

Jeff will also be hosting a live Q&A, so if you’ve got hot takes or questions of your own, this is the time to bring them! 🔥

03/04/2025

Who’s really responsible for managing risk in a construction company?! 🤔

💰Finance & Accounting teams tend to think it's up to Operations to sort out...

🛠️ Meanwhile, Operations teams tend to point the the finger right back at Finance & Accounting.

In reality, it's a shared responsibility — and if you ask our senior consultant Jeff Robertson, it's also one that too many construction companies simply overlook.

When risk isn’t proactively managed across both sides, it can lead to:
❌ Cost overruns
❌ Project delays
❌ Long-term financial instability

Jeff will be breaking this topic down further at the upcoming Georgia CFMA chapter meeting, where he’ll discuss how Ops & Accounting teams need to align in order to mitigate & manage risk effectively.

You can get EARLY ACCESS to book your seat here ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q0394BG90

02/06/2025

Private equity investments in construction are BOOMING. 💰

With infrastructure & service-based industries in high demand right now, more & more PE firms are starting to jumping into construction investments. The potential R.O.I. speaks for itself, with return rates currently averaging over 20% across the industry. 📈

For PE firms looking to capitalize, successful construction investments should have 3 critical phases:

1️⃣ Pre-Acquisition Due Diligence (the PLANNING phase)
2️⃣ Post-Acquisition Assessment (the ACTION phase)
3️⃣ Growth & Scale Strategies (the REFINEMENT phase)

To get max R.O.I. in each phase of the cycle, check out our best practices from Adam, Jeff, and Greg here ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q035D95R0

01/29/2025

Growth in your career rarely comes from staying comfortable — just ask our senior consultant Greg Gorman.

Greg used to hate public speaking. But over time, he realized that the only way to get better at something uncomfortable is to keep practicing it until it feels normal.

Over, and over, and over, and over again.

That same lesson applies to all kinds of challenges in construction and business—whether it’s leading a team or company for the first time, making high-stakes decisions, or stepping up in a new role.

The more you push yourself to practice, the more that imposter syndrome fades, and the more confident you become. 🗣️

Our leadership team shared this insight (and a few hard-earned lessons from their careers) in last week's episode of Construction Hot Takes.

If you missed it, you can check it out here ➡️ ➡️ https://hubs.ly/Q034xWtK0

01/23/2025

When it comes to succeeding in the construction industry, the lessons we learn along the way are just as important as the skills we develop. 🗣️

So, for the latest episode of Construction Hot Takes, we wanted to do something a little different.

Instead of technical topics or industry trends, Adam, Greg, and Jeff took a step back to reflect on the experiences and lessons that shaped their careers in construction.

Because their backgrounds are so different, they each have their own unique skills, and are a huge part of leading projects with our clients.

We’re proud to have a team that brings such a wide variety of experiences to the table!

It’s those different perspectives (and the lessons learned along the way) that help us deliver real value to the clients we serve. ✅

You can listen to their full conversation & get all their tips & tricks here:
https://hubs.ly/Q033M5Ls0

01/09/2025

Our Construction Hot Takes podcast is back for 2025! 🗣️🎙️

To kick things off this year, Adam, Greg, and Jeff take a closer look at a topic shaping the future of the construction industry: Private Equity investments in construction companies.

With more & more PE groups acquiring construction companies, we explore how business owners can capitalize on this growing opportunity.

In Ep. 05, the guys discuss:
🔴 How private equity operates in construction.
🔴 What makes a construction company attractive for investment.
🔴 Steps you can take to prepare your business for growth—or a buyout.

If you've thought about how your own company could benefit from an outside investment, or even if you're just curious to know more about how PE groups operate in construction ... we've got you covered.

Check out our new episode here for all the answers! 🔥
https://hubs.ly/Q031wxtV0

As a friendly reminder - don't forget to subscribe for updates on more new episodes! You can subscribe on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube!

12/05/2024

Construction Hot Takes is just starting to hit its stride! 😎 🎙️

Launching a podcast has been such an exciting process so far for our team.

Now after a few episodes, we’re finally starting to get the hang of things in front of the camera (at least we think so!) We’ve also been loving the chance to share our stories & industry insights with all of you!

Our brand new Ep. 4 is also out now! This week, we're taking a look at best practices to maximize your ROI on construction tech & software.

⚫️ Ascent’s Podcast Hub: https://hubs.ly/Q02-p6Rm0
🟣 Apple Podcasts: https://hubs.ly/Q02-p2360
🟢 Spotify: https://hubs.ly/Q02-nKdH0
🔴 Youtube: https://hubs.ly/Q02-nCHN0

Don’t miss an episode! Check us out and hit 'Subscribe' to stay tuned for more insights and strategies to help your business grow! 🔔 📈

12/03/2024

Why do ‘percent complete’ & ‘earned revenue’ matter so much in construction accounting?

Our spreadsheet guru Greg Gorman's short answer is … these two figures are the inputs for your WIP Statement to ultimately calculate whether you are Overbilled or Underbilled for a particular project.

In our latest podcast episode, Greg dives into these topics & other best practices your construction company can start using today to improve your WIP (Work in Progress) reporting.

The WIP combines field insights with accounting data to determine if you’re on track with both budget and timeline. Just hearing “we’re halfway done” isn’t enough.

We need to know: Are 50% of costs already spent, and have we billed 50% of the contract?

Tune in for step-by-step instructions on how you can use your WIP to manage progress with precision 😎

https://hubs.ly/Q02Z_KYg0

11/26/2024

A Work in Progress (WIP) statement isn’t just a report ... it’s a financial health check for every project you’re managing.

On our latest Construction Hot Takes - Deep Dive, our finance expert Greg Gorman dives into how WIP statements help you calculate ‘percent complete’ accurately.

This way, you know exactly how much work is done, what’s left, and whether your billing aligns with project progress.

When construction companies don’t fully leverage WIP statements, they risk missed billing, cash flow gaps, and confusion over project standing.

Don’t let that be your company — learn the steps to making WIP statements a core part of your financial toolkit!

Check out the new episode here:
https://hubs.ly/Q02Zq-H70

11/21/2024

Behind every successful construction project is a rockstar accounting team keeping the finances in check. ✅ 💰

Construction accounting isn’t just about crunching numbers — it’s about ensuring profitability, managing risk, and creating a stable financial foundation for growth.

Our construction finance expert Greg just wrote a new blog to highlight & break down some of these essential accounting roles in construction, including ...

🟢 CFO: Steering financial strategy and long-term planning.
🟢 Controller: Overseeing accounting operations and compliance.
🟢 Project Accountant: Tracking project-specific costs to ensure profitability.

Whether you’re building a new team or you just want to understand more about each role's impact, this post has you covered!

Check it out here:
https://hubs.ly/Q02Y-_yj0

11/14/2024

It's that time again ... we're back with another new episode of our Construction Hot Takes podcast!

In Ep. 03, Adam, Greg & Jeff are discussing all things Procore! 💻 🛠️

🟠 What is Procore?
🟠 What are its pros and cons?
🟠 Is it right for every construction company?
🟠 What are other alternatives out there instead?

On top of that, the guys dive into some of the most important features, potential limitations, and why Procore is NOT a one-size-fits-all solution for every company.

So … is Procore right for your team? Listen in to find out if it's the right tool for your company or not!

🟢 Spotify: https://hubs.ly/Q02YcNP40

🟣 Apple Podcasts: https://hubs.ly/Q02Yd1Z80

11/07/2024

Do you know which construction contract best aligns with your project goals? 🤔

The contract you choose can shape everything from profit margins to project timelines.

From Fixed-Price to Time & Materials, different types of contracts carry unique risks and rewards. Understanding these differences can protect your bottom line and help you navigate complex projects.

Dive into our senior consultant Jeff Robertson's latest blog post to see which contract type could work best for your next project!

Check it out here:
https://hubs.ly/Q02W_fNM0

Explore the types of construction contracts, their risks, and benefits, to help contractors balance profit potential with project complexities and costs.