What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Accountant position at Pieper Electric, Inc.?
At Pieper Electric, our people are our power. We’re proud to be employee-owned, meaning every team member has a real stake in our success and our culture of ownership and servant-leadership. When you join us, you’re joining more than a company — you’re joining a community that values safety, integrity, continuous growth and support. We believe in putting our people first, so you’ll enjoy benefits like no cost health, vision and dental insurance from day one (please confirm specifics for your role) and the chance to grow professionally and personally in a meaningful workplace.
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Project Accountant who will partner with Project Managers in two of our largest projects to manage the financial aspects of assigned projects. This role will help ensure projects stay on track financially, from contract review through billing, payroll, and close-out.
What You’ll Do
Required Skills & Experience (or equivalent)
Role Overview
We’re looking for a Project Accountant who will partner with Project Managers in two of our largest projects to manage the financial aspects of assigned projects. This role will help ensure projects stay on track financially, from contract review through billing, payroll, and close-out.
What You’ll Do
- Project Financial Coordination
- Review and understand contract terms, work orders and purchase orders to ensure payment terms, certified-payroll requirements, subcontractor billing, and compliance items are clear.
- Coordinate with the Project Manager to determine the percentage of project completion and ensure billing aligns with progress and contract requirements.
- Prepare AIA documents, schedules of values, third-party billing entries, and input billing into our financial system.
- Approve invoices and receiving documents for Accounts Payable to ensure accuracy and compliance.
- Determine taxability status for the job and job materials, ensuring the project is set up correctly for tax-treatment.
- Facilitate certified payroll submissions according to customer requirements (Union or non-Union as applicable).
- Assist in timely collections of Accounts Receivable to support cash flow.
- Work closely with the A/R Manager and Sr. Accounting Manager to help develop and refine the Project Accountant role across jobs and departments.
- Communicate effectively with company personnel, customers and subcontractors in a way that enhances our company goals and culture.
- Support internal process improvement and help ensure projects are financially sound and compliant from start to finish.
- Join an employee-owned company where you have ownership in our success, not just a job.
- Competitive benefits: health, vision and dental insurance with no cost to you. We believe taking care of our people means taking care of their wellbeing.
- A culture built on servant leadership, integrity, courage, humility and passion.
- Opportunities for career growth and development. We invest in our people both professionally and personally.
- Meaningful work in the electrical, mechanical, automation contracting industry, supporting major projects across Wisconsin and beyond.
- A team environment where you’re empowered to lead, contribute and make a difference.
Required Skills & Experience (or equivalent)
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance or related field — or equivalent experience in construction/project accounting.
- 3 years of project accounting experience in a construction or electrical/mechanical contractor environment.
- Experience reviewing contracts, work orders, purchase orders for financial terms in a project context.
- Strong understanding of AIA billing, schedule of values, percent-complete billing, certified payroll and construction taxability issues.
- Proficiency with billing systems, accounts payable/receivable, collections, and working with multiple cost codes and job budgets.
- Excellent communication, organizational and analytical skills; able to work collaboratively across departments and projects.
- High attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines and thrive in a fast-paced environment with many moving parts.
- Experience with electrical construction or industrial environment (preferred).
- Familiarity with ERP or financial systems used in contracting (e.g., Viewpoint, Timberline, Jonas or similar).
- Understanding of subcontractor management, lien waivers, change orders and project close-out processes.
- Ability to advise or implement process improvements in accounting/billing workflows.