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.

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."

Key Responsibilities

As a Business Analyst at Burns & McDonnell, your day-to-day work is dynamic and heavily integrated into the operational fabric of the company. You are not working in a silo; you are the Region Financial Lead or a key support player for that lead. Your primary responsibility is to assist the executive leadership team in defining and implementing regional goals. This involves supporting the development of annual business plans and monitoring monthly financial results to ensure the region stays on track.

You will act as a vital Liaison with Corporate Accounting. This means you are the bridge between the project teams on the ground and the corporate financial apparatus. You will handle all financial aspects of projects, including billing, accounts receivable/payable, and project costing. A significant portion of your time will be spent evaluating revenue recognition—reviewing contracts to interpret financial implications and applying construction accounting standards to ensure compliance.

Additionally, you serve as a Key Contact for Data Analysis. You are expected to maintain knowledge of accounting systems like Oracle and EcoSys to execute reporting requirements. Beyond just pulling numbers, you will lead instructional trainings for project teams, teaching them about accounting standards, system enhancements, and best practices. You are essentially the financial subject matter expert that the engineering teams rely on to keep their projects financially healthy.

Role Requirements & Qualifications

Candidates who succeed in this process generally possess a specific blend of education and hands-on experience. Burns & McDonnell is clear about what constitutes a qualified candidate.

• Education: A Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance is standard. An MBA or CPA is considered a "nice-to-have" that can give you additional credit regarding experience levels.
• Experience: For senior-level analyst roles, expect a requirement of 8+ years of related accounting experience. Public accounting experience is often viewed as a premium asset.
• Industry Knowledge: Experience in the construction or engineering industry is highly preferred. Specifically, familiarity with contract accounting and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition is a major differentiator.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is non-negotiable. Experience with Oracle and Microsoft Power BI is strongly preferred and will make your onboarding significantly smoother.
• Soft Skills: You must be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and possess strong client service skills. Excellent oral and written communication is essential, as you will be presenting to leadership regularly.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions are drawn from candidate data and the specific requirements of the Business Analyst role at Burns & McDonnell. While exact wording may vary, these categories represent the core themes you will encounter. The goal is to identify patterns in your experience that align with the company's needs.

Background & Education

Interviewers often start here to establish a baseline of your foundational knowledge and career trajectory.

• "What courses did you study in university, and what were your key takeaways from them?"
• "Walk me through your resume and highlight your experience with financial reporting."
• "Why are you interested in leaving your current role for Burns & McDonnell?"
• "How has your background prepared you for a role in the construction/engineering sector?"

Technical & Financial Scenarios

These questions test your hard skills and your ability to apply accounting principles to real-world situations.

• "How would you approach revenue recognition for a long-term construction contract?"
• "Describe your experience with variance analysis. How do you investigate discrepancies?"
• "What ERP systems have you used, and how comfortable are you with Oracle?"
• "If a Project Manager disagrees with your financial forecast, how do you resolve the discrepancy?"

Behavioral & Cultural Fit

These questions assess whether you have the "employee-owner" mindset and how you handle interpersonal dynamics.

• "Describe your work style. Do you prefer autonomy or constant collaboration?"
• "Tell me about a time you had to deliver bad news to a stakeholder. How did you handle it?"
• "How do you prioritize ad-hoc requests from leadership alongside your regular monthly duties?"
• "What motivates you to do your best work?"

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How difficult is the interview process? Most candidates describe the process as "Average" or even "Easy" in terms of technical grilling, but "thorough" regarding fit. The challenge lies not in solving impossible brain teasers, but in demonstrating that you have the specific industry knowledge and cultural alignment the team needs.

Q: What is the timeline for a decision? The process is generally efficient. Candidates often report receiving feedback or decisions within two weeks of their final interview. The company values transparency and typically keeps candidates informed via email throughout the stages.

Q: Is this a remote position? Generally, no. Roles like the Senior Operational Finance Analyst are described as being "immersed" in the office (e.g., Chicago, Kansas City). The culture relies heavily on in-person collaboration, attending project review meetings, and engaging directly with leadership.

Q: What differentiates a top candidate? A top candidate bridges the gap between accounting and operations. It is not enough to just know the numbers; you must understand the business of construction. Candidates who can discuss "percentage of completion" revenue recognition and show proficiency in tools like Power BI are at a distinct advantage.

Other General Tips

Research the ESOP Model: Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee-owned. This is a massive part of their identity. Research what an ESOP is and be prepared to ask questions about it. Showing you understand the value of ownership demonstrates that you are thinking long-term.

Know the Industry: If you are coming from a different sector (like retail or tech), take time to learn the basics of construction accounting. Understanding terms like "WIP" (Work in Progress), "Retainage," and "Billable Rates" will help you speak the interviewer's language.

Be Honest About Your Skills: If you don't know a specific software (like EcoSys), admit it but explain how you learned a similar tool quickly in the past. Transparency is valued more than bluffing, especially in a role that deals with financial integrity.

Prepare for "Work Style" Questions: Multiple candidates reported being asked about their work style. Be ready to articulate how you organize your day, how you handle peak periods (like month-end close), and how you collaborate with cross-functional teams.

Summary & Next Steps

The Business Analyst role at Burns & McDonnell offers a unique opportunity to act as a financial co-pilot in a major engineering and construction firm. This is a position where your analysis leads to real-world decisions—building infrastructure, managing regional growth, and ensuring project profitability. The "employee-owner" culture adds a layer of engagement and reward that is rare in the industry, making this a highly desirable place for finance professionals who want to see the impact of their work.

To prepare effectively, focus on mastering the narrative of your resume, specifically highlighting any experience with construction accounting, Oracle, and financial modeling. Review your technical concepts around revenue recognition and be prepared to discuss your soft skills in communication and leadership. The interviewers want to see that you are capable, collaborative, and ready to take ownership.

The compensation for this role is competitive, with a base salary range of $130,000 to $190,000 for senior-level positions in major markets like Chicago. Note that this package typically includes eligibility for the discretionary year-end bonus and participation in the ESOP, which can be a significant wealth-building tool over time.

With focused preparation on both your technical financial skills and your cultural fit, you are well-positioned to succeed. Good luck!