What is a Business Analyst at Burns & McDonnell?

The Business Analyst role at Burns & McDonnell is a strategic position that sits at the intersection of operations, finance, and project execution. Unlike generic analyst roles that may focus solely on IT requirements, a Business Analyst here—often aligned with Operational Finance or Corporate Accounting—serves as a critical navigator for the business. You act as a liaison between project teams (engineers, architects, construction managers) and executive leadership, ensuring that financial data translates into actionable business intelligence.

In this role, you are not just reporting numbers; you are driving the financial health of the region. You will be immersed in detailed analysis regarding revenue recognition, project costing, and forecasting, while simultaneously presenting high-level strategy to directors. Whether you are supporting the Great Lakes Region or another market, your work directly impacts how the company manages risk, prices projects, and maintains profitability. As an employee-owned firm, Burns & McDonnell relies on analysts who treat the company’s resources as their own, fostering a culture of accountability and precision.

Common Interview Questions

These questions are based on real interview experiences from candidates who interviewed at this company. You can practice answering them interactively on Dataford to better prepare for your interview.

Getting Ready for Your Interviews

Preparation for Burns & McDonnell requires a shift in mindset. You are interviewing to become an "employee-owner," a term you will hear frequently. This means interviewers are looking for candidates who demonstrate long-term commitment, proactive problem-solving, and a genuine interest in the company's success, not just someone looking for a paycheck.

To succeed, focus your preparation on these key evaluation criteria:

Operational & Financial Acumen – You must demonstrate the ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, specifically within the construction or engineering industries. Interviewers will assess your understanding of revenue recognition, budgeting, and variance analysis. You need to show you can interpret contracts and financial implications, not just manipulate spreadsheets.

Communication & Influence – A significant part of this role involves "translating" financial concepts for non-financial stakeholders, such as project managers or engineers. You will be evaluated on your ability to simplify complex data and provide clear, actionable guidance to leadership.

Cultural Fit & Ownership – Because Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned, cultural fit is weighted heavily. Interviewers look for self-motivation, a collaborative spirit, and a distinct lack of ego. They want to know if you are the type of person who picks up the phone to solve a problem rather than hiding behind an email.

Technical Proficiency – Expect scrutiny on your hard skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is a baseline requirement, but familiarity with ERP systems like Oracle, EcoSys, or visualization tools like Microsoft Power BI will set you apart.

Interview Process Overview

The interview process at Burns & McDonnell is generally described by candidates as straightforward, transparent, and respectful of your time. While the process can vary slightly depending on the specific team or location (e.g., Chicago vs. Kansas City), it typically prioritizes a holistic view of the candidate over aggressive technical grilling. The company moves relatively quickly; you can expect the entire cycle to take anywhere from two to four weeks.

You will likely begin with a screening call with HR or a recruiter to discuss your background, interest in the company, and basic qualifications. If successful, you will move to interviews with the hiring manager and potential peers. These sessions are often conversational but focused, digging into your resume and specific project experiences. The final stage usually involves a Director or senior leader to assess high-level strategy and cultural alignment. Throughout the process, candidates often report feeling engaged and finding the interviewers genuinely interested in their potential contribution.

This timeline illustrates a typical funnel for the Business Analyst role. While some candidates experience a streamlined two-step process (phone screen followed by a hiring manager interview), others may face a more robust sequence involving multiple peer interviews or a panel. Use this visual to gauge where you are in the pipeline and prepare your energy accordingly—the final rounds are often the most intensive regarding behavioral and situational questions.

Deep Dive into Evaluation Areas

To secure an offer, you must demonstrate competence across several distinct areas. Based on candidate reports and job requirements, the following areas are critical for the Business Analyst position.

Financial Analysis & Project Controls

This is the core of the role. You need to show that you understand the lifecycle of a project from a financial perspective. In the engineering and construction industry, this means understanding how costs are accrued and how revenue is recognized over time.

Be ready to go over:

• Revenue Recognition: Specifically percentage-of-completion methods (ASC 606).
• Forecasting: How you develop annual business plans and quarterly forecasts.
• Variance Analysis: Identifying why actuals differ from the budget and explaining the "why" to leadership.
• Advanced concepts: Risk contingency analysis, warranty reserves, and scenario planning.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "How do you handle a situation where a project's costs are exceeding the budget mid-cycle?"
• "Walk me through your experience with month-end close activities."
• "Describe a time you identified a financial risk in a contract and how you mitigated it."

Technical Tools & Data Reporting

You will be expected to be the "power user" of financial systems. Interviewers want to know that you can handle data independently without needing constant IT support.

Be ready to go over:

• Excel Mastery: Pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and complex formulas are standard expectations.
• ERP Systems: Experience with Oracle is highly valued.
• Data Visualization: Using Power BI to create dashboards for executive leadership.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Rate your proficiency in Excel and give me an example of a complex model you built."
• "Have you used EcoSys or Oracle for project cost reporting?"
• "How do you ensure data accuracy when integrating reports from multiple sources?"

Behavioral & Work Style

Burns & McDonnell places a premium on how you work, not just what you know. They are looking for "self-starters" who can manage their own time and navigate ambiguity.

Be ready to go over:

• Conflict Resolution: How you handle disagreements with project managers regarding billing or budget constraints.
• Learning Agility: How you approach learning new software or accounting standards.
• Communication Style: How you present bad news (e.g., budget overruns) to stakeholders.

Example questions or scenarios:

• "Tell me about a time you had to explain a difficult financial concept to a non-financial engineer."
• "What is your preferred work style: independent or highly collaborative?"
• "Describe a time you had to manage conflicting priorities from different leaders."