Employee Spotlight


Pauline Fraser, MBA, Staff Accountant

AFG’s Sr. Staff Accountant Pauline Fraser, MBA, supports our team with over 17 years of industry experience providing business support, community liaison services, accounting and financial management, performance reporting, and financial analysis. Pauline is essential to the inner workings of AFG.

Congratulations on 15 years with AFG! How did you come to work with us?

Ms. Amal Manassah, a previous VP at AFG, banked at a location where I worked and offered me a position at AFG because she admired my work ethic and attention to detail.

What has been your favorite project?

My favorite project was the 425 Whitman/Ingersoll Apartment Restoration project. This project exposed me to working on the job site, preparing RFI’s, reviewing change orders, learning OSHA rules and regulations, and the ability to understand the integral parts of the construction industry.

To learn about new career opportunities with AFG, visit our careers page

What has been the most challenging project that you successfully managed?

New York City Housing Authority (NYHA) awarded AFG with the Exterior Restoration & Roofing Replacement Bond-B Various contract which consisted of several locations throughout New York City. The projects were scheduled to start within weeks of each other and the pressure was immense to staff the projects. In addition, locating trailers, purchasing equipment’s and working with NYCHA to hire residents were the key to commencing on schedule.

Full filling these requirements allowed me to implement my organizational, leadership, motivational, training, and communication skills. Several issues plagued the projects such as theft of equipment, staffing problems, and AFG’s commitment to completing the projects on schedule. The stress of being an Office Manager increased due to daily changes, delays which were no fault of AFG but in the end, the contract was a success. As a result, of the aforementioned issues above, AFG built a long-term relationship with NYCHA and I learned how to deal with challenging projects.

Outside of your work, where can we find you?

Outside of work, I spend my quality time with my family playing card games, scrabble, traveling, or just reading. I can also be found at a meeting for DeVry’s University IMA Virtual Student Chapter or volunteering at St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church where I serve on several committees.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out in AFG?

Choosing to work at AFG is a rewarding experience for individuals who are looking for an environment where everyone cares and is treated like family. The employees are dedicated, experienced individuals with an enormous amount of knowledge which they are always willing to share. The opportunities are available to grow whether in the construction field, human resources, marketing, and accounting or finance industry. The environment is versatile and if you’re a team player AFG will definitely get you to the next level in your career.

Tell us a bit about your experience as a woman in the construction industry.

Working in the construction industry was not what I expected because this field was always dominated by men. As the years went by, I came to realize that the industry offered diversity which women started to capitalize on and became an integral part of the workforce.

There are several fond accomplishments working in this industry. Two that come to mind are when AFG completes a project on time and within the allotted budget. It shows a sense of accomplishment for the team that we forecasted the budget accurately and avoided change orders.

What advice do you have for other women looking to excel in the AEC industry?

Women who are planning to excel in the AEC industry should realize that there are tremendous positions available to them other than working on the job site. The construction field can be a great career for women because positions are available in finance, accounting, administration, payroll, marketing, and management.

The construction industry has created a support network for women to learn daily from each other and make a difference with their skills. Women should continue to engage and register for courses that will improve their knowledge and skills while obtaining certifications. This will allow us to succeed and persevere in a male-dominant industry.

Describe a moment/event in your career that you were incredibly proud of?

Wow, since I have worked in the AEC industry for years, I will focus on a recent moment in my career that I am incredibly proud of. I obtained my master’s in July 2021 which was challenging; there were days after working I had no motivation left.

This event showed me that hard work and dedication was not only the key to enhancing my career in the construction industry but gave me the tools and knowledge to forecast and budget multiple projects. Working with various project managers allowed me to excel in my accounting position at AFG by making a positive impact in the Federal and private industry.