Cost Accountant III

Job Summary:

The Cost Accountant [I/II/III] plays a critical role in supporting financial planning, job costing, and operational analysis for S.C. Swiderski’s construction, development, and property management divisions. This position provides accurate and timely cost data, ensuring reliable financial reporting within a project-based construction accounting environment. The Cost Accountant collaborates closely with Construction Management, Project Management, Procurement, and Executive Leadership to control project budgets, forecast cash flow, and optimize cost efficiency. Proficiency in Sage Intacct (or a comparable ERP platform) is essential, as is an understanding of job cost structures, progress billing, and construction draw processes. This 3-level role progresses in analytical complexity, independence, and strategic impact as the employee advances.

Duties/Responsibilities:

Level III

• The Cost Accountant Level III has reached, in additional skills and experience, a level of mastery that allows them to function as a company resource in the overall execution and delivery of complex construction cost accounting. They function as a cornerstone of the team in their areas of responsibility,
• This role demonstrates advanced technical proficiency, strategic oversight, and exceptional leadership in managing project-based accounting and finance activities. The Cost Accountant III ensures project alignment with corporate goals for financial reporting, and budget oversite while fostering a culture of accountability, teamwork, and excellence. This level provides training, onboarding, and mentorship to other Cost Accountants, collaborates with accounting and construction leadership on process improvements, and contributes to preconstruction planning, estimating, and companywide operational development,
• Serve as the subject-matter expert on Sage Intacct project and construction accounting modules, ensuring consistent company-wide usage and data integrity.
• Design, implement, and continuously refine standard costing systems, project budget templates, and cost tracking processes.
• Oversees the company’s comprehensive asset management program, including acquisition, capitalization, depreciation, impairment, and disposal processes across all divisions.
• Leads reconciliation and reporting of all fixed assets and construction-in-progress (CIP) in Sage Intacct; ensures alignment with project accounting and general ledger systems.
• Provide advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis for major construction and development projects.
• Support Executive Leadership with scenario analyses, ROI calculations, and long-term capital planning.
• Lead or coordinate internal audits and ensure compliance with GAAP, company policy, and banking/lender requirements.
• Partner with Project Management and Development teams to align accounting practices with operational execution.
• Prepare strategic reports on profitability, overhead allocation, and resource utilization across business units.
• Mentor and train junior accountants in construction cost management, Sage Intacct functionality, and reporting best practices.
• Lead system integration or automation projects to improve financial accuracy and efficiency.
• Represent Accounting in cross-departmental initiatives and executive meetings, contributing financial insight to company strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Utilizes additional skills and experience to augment and support the Accounting and Finance Teams. (Project management, Leadership, Data Analytics (Power BI or Tableau), AIA billing, retainage, and progress billing, KPI Dashboards & Balanced Scorecards, or other disciplines beneficial to Accounting and Finance at SCS.)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Level III

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance, or the equivalent in education and experience required; A CMA is ideal.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in cost accounting for construction or development companies.
• Expert-level user of Sage Intacct, with demonstrated ability to configure modules, customize reports, and optimize data flows.
• Mastery of job costing concepts, budget forecasting, variance analysis, and inventory valuation.
• Proven track record of mentoring and leading teams in financial and process excellence.
• Strong strategic thinking and analytical skills, with the ability to translate data into operational insight.
• Excellent communication skills and executive-level presentation experience.
• Experience in system implementations or cross-departmental improvement initiatives preferred.,
• Additional skills and experience to augment and support the Accounting and Finance Teams. (Project management, Leadership, Data Analytics (Power BI or Tableau), AIA billing, retainage, and progress billing, KPI Dashboards & Balanced Scorecards, or other disciplines beneficial to Accounting and Finance at SCS.)

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours as needed during month-end close, forecast cycles, and audits. Occasional travel may be required.

Work Environment:

Professional office setting at corporate headquarters with frequent interaction across Construction, Development, Procurement, and Property Management teams.

Physical Requirements:

Ability to lift and carry up to 30 lbs. Prolonged periods of sitting and computer work. Clear speech and hearing to facilitate effective communication.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities or responsibilities. Duties may change at any time with or without notice.

Founded in 1992 in Mosinee, Wisconsin, S.C. Swiderski, LLC (SCS) is a fully integrated real estate development company supporting the development, design, construction, management, and maintenance of its property portfolio. SCS values quality, trust, integrity, community, and innovation and is committed to continuous growth and enhancing the housing industry through creative, cost-effective solutions.