Project Accountant

About CDH Partners

At CDH Partners, we know each client's goals are completely unique. That's why we collaborate closely with every client to understand their individual needs and vision – whether it's architecture, interior design, or master planning.

As a nationally recognized design firm, our diverse team of architects, interior designers, engineers, and specialists believes the best solutions emerge when we combine your industry expertise with our design knowledge and creative problem-solving. Our building designs are born from true collaboration – blending your vision with our creative architecture, the latest technology, and comprehensive industry research.

Position Summary:

The Project Accountant supports the financial operations of project management within an architectural, engineering, or construction environment. This position assists in managing the financial lifecycle of multiple concurrent projects, ensuring accuracy in project setup, billing, expense tracking, and closeout processes. The Project Accountant applies knowledge of A&E accounting standards and best practices to maintain compliance and support project profitability. This role works closely with project managers, consultants, vendors, and senior accounting personnel to track and report financial data, reconcile accounts, and provide reliable project-level financial information to support decision-making.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Project Setup and Maintenance

• Collaborate with project managers to accurately establish new projects in Deltek VantagePoint, ensuring full alignment with contract terms, fee schedules, and budgeted phases.
• Monitor and update project records throughout the project lifecycle, including scope modifications, contract amendments, and budget adjustments.
• Perform regular audits of active projects to ensure financial data integrity and compliance with company and client requirements.
• Maintain process guides on project set up and maintenance for internal use.
• Project Billing and Revenue Management
• Manage the full monthly billing cycle: draft invoices, apply adjustments, track approvals, and finalize billing based on milestone or percentage completion as advised by Project Managers/Practice Builders.
• Submit timely invoices through multiple delivery methods including electronic portals, email, or mail, as per client preference.
• Maintain billing records and ensure client payment terms and preferences are accurately reflected in VantagePoint.

Accounts Receivable (AR)

• Receive, scan, and deposit client payments (checks and ACH); reconcile deposits with open invoices.
• Record all cash receipts in accounting software and maintain organized filing of payment documentation.
• Monitor AR aging reports, follow up on overdue accounts, and assist in collections when necessary.

Accounts Payable (AP) and Consultant Management

• Collaborate with Accounts Payable team member on review, coding, and entry of consultant invoices, providing project-specific context and budget information to ensure appropriate allocations.
• Partner with AP team member to track subcontractor invoices against project budgets and percentage-complete, sharing project milestone information to support accurate payment scheduling.
• Work with AP team member to ensure timely collection and maintenance of W-9s, Certificates of Insurance, and executed vendor contracts, coordinating with project managers on specific project requirements.
• Support AP team member in vendor communications regarding billing issues, providing project insights and budget context to facilitate prompt resolution of discrepancies.
• Share project knowledge with AP team member to enhance understanding of project-specific coding, budget constraints, and consultant contract terms.
• Provide guidance on complex project allocations, leveraging detailed knowledge of all active projects.
• Collaborate with AP team member on reviewing and coding employee expense reports, providing project allocation guidance based on comprehensive understanding of project activities and budgets.

Project Closeout and Clean-Up

• Support historical file audits and close-out of completed projects, including reconciliation of AP, AR, and consultant accounts.
• Assist with cleanup of negative backlog, misallocated costs, or other anomalies identified during project audits.
• Help ensure project documentation is completed and stored in accordance with departmental standards.
• Contribute to process documentation on project closeout and clean-up for internal use.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
• Prepare and distribute project-specific reports as requested.
• Provide project managers with financial reports to help monitor and forecast project performance.
• Assist with the preparation of financial reports and projections based on project data.
• Support efforts to ensure project data accuracy.

General Accounting & Administrative Support

• Run regular and custom reports (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly) to support business operations.
• Support implementation of system improvements, process enhancements, and accounting policy updates.
• Participate in firm-wide initiatives to promote financial best practices and operational efficiency.

Required Qualifications:

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum 2–4 years of accounting experience, with at least 2 years focused on project accounting in an A&E firm.
• Proficiency in Deltek VantagePoint and strong excel skills required.
• Solid understanding of project-based accounting concepts, GAAP, and industry-specific billing practices.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with ability to interact effectively across all organizational levels and with external partners.
• Excellent time management and multitasking ability, with keen attention to detail and a proactive problem-solving mindset.
• Proven ability to manage sensitive financial information with discretion.
• Experience in architecture, engineering, or construction industry
• Experience with project costing and profitability analysis in professional services environments
• Interest in process improvements to enhance financial operations efficiency
• Understanding of project costing and profitability tracking in professional services environments
• Commitment to learning accounting regulations and best practices for the AEC industry

Scope and Impact:

The Project Accountant position supports the financial health and operational efficiency of CDH Partners' project portfolio. This role contributes to project profitability, client satisfaction, and accurate financial reporting through diligent management of project accounting tasks. The position requires strong technical accounting skills combined with collaborative communication abilities. The Project Accountant works under the guidance of senior accounting staff while maintaining regular coordination with project managers, consultants, and vendors. Success in this role helps ensure projects stay on budget, maintains positive cash flow, supports regulatory compliance, and provides reliable financial data for management decision-making. This position supports CDH Partners' collaborative culture by helping project teams stay informed of financial performance and ensuring the accounting operations run smoothly and efficiently.

***Salary commensurate with experience - $70,000 to $85,000.

***Benefits include medical, dental, vision, indemnity, short-term & long-term disability, 401k, vacation, PTO, and more.