Project Cost Accounting Manager

POSITION SUMMARY: 

The Project Cost Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing project-based accounting activities, including cost tracking, work-in-progress reporting, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis for customer contracts and projects. This role ensures accurate and timely monthly revenue recognition in compliance with GAAP and ASC 606 guidelines while supporting operational leaders with project financial performance analysis.

The Project Cost Accounting Manager partners closely with project managers, operations, finance, and executive leadership to monitor project profitability, analyze variances, manage job costing, and maintain internal controls related to contract accounting and project financial reporting. The position plays a key role in month-end close, forecasting, audit support, and improving financial processes and reporting systems for project-driven operations.

CORPORATE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Managing percentage-of-completion accounting and revenue recognition.
• Reviewing project budgets, estimates-at-completion and cost forecasts.
• Monitoring project margins, labor utilization, and cost variances.
• Maintaining accurate WIP schedules and contract financial reporting.
• Supporting month-end and year-end close activities.
• Ensuring compliance with GAAP, ASC 606, and company policies.
• Collaborating with operations and project management teams to improve financial performance and reporting accuracy.
• Assisting with audits, internal controls, and ERP/process improvements.

• Reviewing project costs against budgets.
• Perform quarterly client reviews with account teams.

• Review print, fixture, hardware and installation estimates with account managers.
• Review client pricing/quotes with account/project managers and sales staff.
• Recommend appropriate project margins to account/project managers/sales staff.
• Complete project performance analysis and timely recommend actions to improve client and project profitability. 
• Analyze and report variances and client margins.
• Accrual, reserve and reclass journal entries as needed
• Monitor client progress billings, change order billings, assist with client collections.
• Develop and implement requested financial reports for users
• Provide long-term full company P&L forecasts as needed
• Punctuality and regular attendance are required on the job

GRAPHICS DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor raw material inventory levels monthly and assist with annual inventory.
• Review and set plant production standards including labor and machine rates, making recommendations for process improvements.
• Prepare monthly closing journal entries as needed for graphic center labor and COGS.
• Prepare financial spreadsheets as needed.
• Review estimate to actual job cost reports with management.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Bachelor degree in Accounting/Finance required.

Experience: 4-6 years of experience in accounting with strong percentage of completion experience.                                 

Special Skills/Qualifications:  Strong analytical skills with a background in ERP systems, Advanced Level of Excel, Strong project coordination skills, Good communication skills and customer service skills. JD Edwards experience strongly preferred.