What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Accountant position at Salas O'Brien?
PROJECT ACCOUNTANT
At Salas O’Brien, we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success, with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long term means all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem-solving. It also means each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.
Job Summary
The Project Accountant is a key position on our Finance team, responsible for leading financial administration and fiscal management aspects of various projects. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Executives, the Project Accountant ensures financial compliance, tracks project expenditures, manages invoicing, and oversees accounts receivable/payable. The ideal candidate has strong accounting knowledge, excellent communication skills, is able to positively interact with key members of the project team and the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
At Salas O’Brien, we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success, with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long term means all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem-solving. It also means each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.
Job Summary
The Project Accountant is a key position on our Finance team, responsible for leading financial administration and fiscal management aspects of various projects. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Executives, the Project Accountant ensures financial compliance, tracks project expenditures, manages invoicing, and oversees accounts receivable/payable. The ideal candidate has strong accounting knowledge, excellent communication skills, is able to positively interact with key members of the project team and the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Set up, coordinate, and evaluate project financial administration, including budgeting and expenditure tracking.
- Manage project cash flow, ensuring accurate tracking of net assets, liabilities, and unfunded work.
- Monitor and communicate potential financial risks, including cash position concerns and unapproved change orders.
- Oversee the monthly billing process, including invoice preparation, approval, and compliance with contractual requirements.
- Ensure accurate revenue recognition, cost allocation, and percent-complete updates.
- Administer accounts payable and accounts receivable, resolving financial disputes with owners, architects, and vendors.
- Assist with month-end close processes, project cost reports, and financial statement preparation.
- Ensure compliance with financial policies, internal controls, and reporting standards.
- Manage subcontractor agreements, purchase orders, and invoice approvals.
- In additional to project accounting, this roll will assist with other accounting functions such as accounts payable and/or receivable, assist with month-end financial accounting close as needed, partner with the finance manager on process improvement and automation, and assist with ad hoc projects as needed.
- Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a business related field.
- Minimum of 2 years of accounting experience, preferably in the AEC industry or other project-based environment.
- Highly computer literate – especially with an ERP system (Deltek a plus) and Microsoft Excel.
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
- Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with various stakeholders.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple projects and deadlines.
- Experience with cost analysis, billing rate audits, and financial forecasting.
- Demonstrated leadership, teamwork, and attention to detail.
- Regularly required to sit, use hands, reach with arms, and communicate effectively.
- Occasionally required to stand, walk, and lift/move up to 25 pounds.
- Work environment is generally moderate in noise level, with occasional exposure to mechanical parts or airborne particles.
- May perform other duties as assigned.
Salas O’Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O’Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
