Sr. Project Accountant

Position: Senior Project Accountant, Project Accounting & Operations

Location: Rochester, NY

Duration & Type: Full-Time, Monday – Friday; Hybrid flexibility

Compensation: Competitive base salary plus year-end performance bonus. Total rewards include healthcare (medical, dental, vision), PTO policy, matching 401(k), travel reimbursement, and additional rewards

Chamberlain Advisors is conducting an executive search for a Senior Project Accountant for their direct client, a privately held machinery automation solutions organization. As a key business partner to the Chief Financial Officer and the operations teams, the Senior Project Accountant will be instrumental in driving project profitability and building the financial processes needed to support the company's growth and transformation. The Senior Project Accountant will be responsible for owning all project-based accounting, including Percentage-of-Completion (POC) and WIP reporting, developing detailed project forecasts and variance analyses, supporting month-end close procedures, and partnering directly with Project Managers to ensure financial control and visibility. This position will perform critical project accounting and operational finance functions and will work closely with the CFO to implement robust financial reporting and controls that enhance operational efficiency. You must be a hands-on, roll-up-your-sleeves type of leader who thrives in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. This role reports to the CFO.

This is a unique opportunity to step into a highly visible, high-impact role where your work will directly influence the operational efficiency, profitability, and strategic direction of the company. You will have the autonomy to build processes, create reports, and implement systems from the ground up, leaving a lasting legacy on the finance function.

Differentiators: these will set you apart in the selection process.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit and Company Culture alignment - The ideal candidate should have a strong desire to build, grow, and own the outcomes of a business’s success, with a continuous improvement mindset and a willingness to take a hands-on approach to achieve results quickly. They should have an authentic executive presence and be respected, relatable, and approachable across the organization. The candidate should prioritize team success over individual titles and have experience aligning corporate culture with organizational goals to create a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Project-Based Accounting - The ideal candidate for this role possesses a unique blend of operational partnership and deep financial control that extends far beyond traditional accounting. They will own the entire end-to-end financial value chain of a project, acting as a business partner to all contributing groups and leveraging strong project management skills to ensure financial success. A critical aspect of this is their ability to understand and analyze key metrics like labor efficiencies. This candidate will not only report on where a project is and manage earned revenue allocation but will also have the crucial ability to explain the financial story behind the numbers. This operational focus is supported by strong general accounting acumen, including the ability to perform a deep financial close for projects, work with the financial analyst on key reporting, manage headcount accruals, and support the corporate controller during the consolidated month-end close.
• Percentage-of-Completion Accounting - The ideal candidate must have deep expertise in percentage-of-completion accounting, with a proven record of accomplishment managing WIP reports, over/under billings, upfront payments, and tracking project progress. A strong understanding of revenue recognition, cost tracking, and managing job-level cash flow is essential. The candidate should have CPA-level experience and be comfortable diving into the details when necessary, ensuring accuracy in general ledger management, reconciliations, and variance analysis. Additionally, the candidate must be experienced in managing fluctuating cash flows, tracking inventory, conducting inventory audits, and implementing accounting processes that enhance operational efficiency.
• Process Optimization, Strategic Thinking, & Problem Solving - Ideal candidates will have a proven record of accomplishment spearheading key business optimization initiatives by utilizing industry best practices. They should be adept at identifying and executing process consolidations, workflow enhancements, and other measures that drive cost savings and elevate operations, service quality, and customer satisfaction. The candidate should be keenly observant and proactive in spotting issues, trends, or emerging opportunities. Their strategic acumen should enable them to work seamlessly both upwards—with figures like the CEO, CFO, and business partners — and laterally across various departments and external stakeholders. Their ability to "see around the corners" and anticipate challenges or opportunities is crucial for adding tangible value to the business.
  
  

What You Will Be Accountable For Accomplishing

Project Accounting & Control:

• Own all aspects of project-based accounting, with a deep focus on Percentage-of-Completion (POC) accounting, revenue recognition, and cost tracking.
• Manage and improve Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting, over/under billings, and job-level cash flow.
• Develop and maintain detailed project-level reporting, including variance analysis, cash flow forecasts, and profitability "report cards" to provide clear insights to leadership.
• Partner directly with Project Managers to review project estimates, measure costs against budget, identify variances, and develop recovery plans.
  
  

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Develop and manage financial models for project forecasting, incorporating the sales pipeline to create a forward-looking view of billable events and revenue.
• Analyze labor efficiency and resource utilization, providing data-driven recommendations to improve operational performance.
• Support the monthly financial close process, focusing on project-related entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations.
  
  

Process Improvement & Change Management

• Act as a change agent, driving the adoption of standardized processes and promoting the use of our ERP system (Infor Syteline) to move away from manual, Excel-based workflows.
• Identify and implement improvements in inventory management, cost accounting, and project reporting to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
  
  

Business Partnership

• Work closely with leaders across operations, engineering, purchasing, and manufacturing to understand and improve the entire project lifecycle, from initial quote to final delivery.
• Serve as the key finance contact for project-related inquiries, translating complex financial data into actionable information for a non-accounting audience.
  
  

What Qualifications & Skills You Will Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field (CPA or CMA preferred but not required).
• 7 years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 1.5 years in a Project Accountant or Sr. Project Accountant role.
• Deep expertise in percentage-of-completion accounting, WIP tracking, over/under billing, and project-level financial oversight.
• Strong understanding of GAAP; experience with cost accounting, earned revenue recognition, and accrual accounting.
• Familiarity with Infor Syteline or similar ERP systems; Excel proficiency required.
• Experience in project-based industries such as automation, industrial manufacturing, engineering services, or EPC.
• A "hands-on," self-starter mentality with the ability to operate independently in an evolving environment, take initiative, and drive projects to completion with limited direction.
• Demonstrated ability to lead change initiatives, solve complex financial issues, and communicate across all levels of the organization.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage granular detail while understanding the bigger picture.
  
  

Characteristics & traits required to be successful in this role:

• Resilience & Adaptability: You thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment. You are not easily discouraged by ambiguity or challenges and can navigate organizational change with a positive, solutions-oriented mindset.
• Change Leadership: You have a proven ability to influence others and implement new processes, effectively managing resistance and getting buy-in from various stakeholders.
• You can confidently and clearly communicate with individuals at all levels, from the shop floor to the executive team, bridging the gap between finance and operations.
• Low-Ego, High-Impact: You are focused on getting things done and driving results. You are comfortable diving into the details and are motivated by the success of the team and the business.
  
  

About Our Client

Our client is a market-leading organization specializing in the design and delivery of complex, engineered solutions for a diverse, global client base. With a highly skilled team and multiple complementary business units, they are uniquely positioned for continued growth and innovation. The company is currently at a pivotal and exciting moment, undergoing a period of significant transformation driven by a refreshed strategic vision. This presents a unique opportunity for a talented professional to make a substantial impact and help shape the company's future.