What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Accountant - Cleveland position at Higley Construction?
About the Company – Celebrating 100 Years of Building Community & 100% Employee-Owned
Higley Construction has been one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. The company surpassed 100 years in business—a century shaped by an unwavering commitment to its core values of people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since its founding in 1925, Higley Construction has partnered with clients to bring their goals and visions to life, consistently guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time.
As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership.
Position Overview
Higley Construction is seeking a Project Accountant to join our team. The Project Accountant will develop knowledge of construction accounting and project financials. Reporting to the Regional Vice President, with accountability to the Vice President of Finance and Administration, this role plays a critical part in overseeing the financial management of construction projects. This role will be 100% in person at our active construction job-site, providing direct engagement with project teams and real-time oversight of financial activities.
Responsibilities
As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.
Job Requirements
The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities: This role requires driving to and from office, jobsites, meetings, client locations, events, and other work-related locations as necessary. It primarily involves working at a desk with prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Frequent use of hands and fingers is required for typing, writing, and handling documents or office tools. Repetitive hand and wrist motions are common during computer and data entry tasks. Effective communication is essential, including in-person, phone, and digital interactions. This role may occasionally require lifting or moving office materials or small equipment up to 20 pounds.
Environmental Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office or remote/home-based setting, with quiet to moderate noise levels. There may also be occasional visits to construction sites, where exposure to outdoor environmental factors may occur.
This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.
Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.
Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. All recruitment inquiries, agency communications, and any agreements must be directed exclusively to our Human Resources department. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing, and we will treat all unsolicited resumes as the property of Higley Construction.
Higley Construction has been one of the most experienced and respected construction firms in the region. The company surpassed 100 years in business—a century shaped by an unwavering commitment to its core values of people, ethics, respect, commitment, and excellence. Since its founding in 1925, Higley Construction has partnered with clients to bring their goals and visions to life, consistently guided by honesty, integrity, and mutual respect.
At Higley Construction, we build more than buildings — we build trust, relationships, and communities. From the offices where you work, to the schools where you learn, and the hospitals where you heal, we create environments where people can live, work, and thrive. With every project, we go beyond bricks and mortar to connect people and place, delivering spaces that stand the test of time.
As a 100% Employee-Owned Company, we foster a culture of shared success, job stability, and long-term financial growth for all employees. Within the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), you're building more than a career — you're building ownership.
Position Overview
Higley Construction is seeking a Project Accountant to join our team. The Project Accountant will develop knowledge of construction accounting and project financials. Reporting to the Regional Vice President, with accountability to the Vice President of Finance and Administration, this role plays a critical part in overseeing the financial management of construction projects. This role will be 100% in person at our active construction job-site, providing direct engagement with project teams and real-time oversight of financial activities.
Responsibilities
- Manage the financial life cycle of construction projects from inception through closing.
- Manage the Accounts Payable / Receivable process related to projects.
- Processing owner progress billings as well as managing the creation, review, and submission to all stakeholders.
- Collection of accounts receivable pay applications from our clients.
- Timely processing & remittance of accounts payable pay applications to our subcontractors.
- Helping to facilitate the processing of cash receipts and the prompt payment of associated subcontractors.
- Participate in month-end close reconciliations and processes including job costing, journal entries, variance reporting, ensuring vouchers and invoices are posted to appropriate periods, and other month-end checklist tasks.
- Participate in special projects with the accounting team as needed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Candidate should have the ability to work against deadlines, respond to changes, and prioritize when necessary.
- Ability to identify opportunities for new and improved ways of doing things that result in value-add solutions.
- Develop and maintain positive professional relationships both internally and externally.
- Strong problem solver who can identify, prioritize, and implement alternatives for solutions and demonstrate adaptability by collaborating with others and supporting team members to achieve excellence.
- Candidate should be an effective communicator, show attention to detail, and have strong execution skills.
- A self-starter who shows passion, commitment, and ownership.
- Cost accounting or construction knowledge, a plus.
- Candidate should demonstrate an understanding of financial acumen.
- Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word).
- Experience with an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system is a plus.
- Intermediate understanding of GAAP accounting principles.
- Professional written and verbal communication skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Mathematics, or related field.
- Although no previous experience is required for this role, 1-2 years in accounting, finance, economics, mathematics, or a related field is a benefit.
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) – 100% Employee-Owned
- 25 days of Paid Time Off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Health, Dental, & Vision Insurance
- Health/Dependent Care Reimbursement Accounts
- 401k Contributions/Match
- Life Insurance/AD&D
- Employee Assistance Program
- Volunteer Time Off & Gift Match Program
- Paid Birthday Leave
- Paid Family Leave
- Paid Military Leave
- Short & Long Term Disability
- Years of Service Awards
- $1,500 Referral Bonus
- Capability for up to 16 hours / week of remote work.
- Casual Friday Policy
- Cell Phone Reimbursement
- Apparel Allowance
- Enterprise/National Rental Benefits
As part of your employment with Higley Construction, an initial pre-employment drug and alcohol test is required. This is followed by company-wide annual and random drug and alcohol testing for all employees for the duration of your employment. Higley Construction prohibits employees from being under the influence of substances such as drugs or alcohol during work hours. Higley Construction is dedicated to the Safety of all individuals in our offices and our job sites.
Job Requirements
The following outlines the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Activities: This role requires driving to and from office, jobsites, meetings, client locations, events, and other work-related locations as necessary. It primarily involves working at a desk with prolonged periods of sitting or standing. Frequent use of hands and fingers is required for typing, writing, and handling documents or office tools. Repetitive hand and wrist motions are common during computer and data entry tasks. Effective communication is essential, including in-person, phone, and digital interactions. This role may occasionally require lifting or moving office materials or small equipment up to 20 pounds.
Environmental Conditions: Work is primarily performed in an office or remote/home-based setting, with quiet to moderate noise levels. There may also be occasional visits to construction sites, where exposure to outdoor environmental factors may occur.
This list of job requirements is subject to change at any time due to the needs of the business.
Higley Construction is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Higley Construction is strongly committed to a workplace that is free of discrimination for all employees and candidates. It is the policy and practice that Higley Construction provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and candidates for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, creed, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, sex, or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, religion, socio-economic status, age, disability, physical and mental ability, genetic information, service in the military, or any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Equal employment opportunity applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to hiring, placement, promotion, demotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leave of absence, compensation, benefits, and training.
Notice to Recruiters & Agencies: Higley Construction does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Do not send resumes to our jobs alias, website, or employees. All recruitment inquiries, agency communications, and any agreements must be directed exclusively to our Human Resources department. We are not responsible for agency or recruiting fees unless we specifically request those services in writing, and we will treat all unsolicited resumes as the property of Higley Construction.