What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Accountant position at Starts Align?
A well-established commercial mechanical contractor is adding a Senior Staff Accountant to their office in the New York metropolitan/Queens area.
This organization has built a long-standing reputation within the construction industry and is seeking an experienced accounting professional to help strengthen its finance function. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in construction accounting and enjoy working closely with executive leadership to improve financial reporting, support operations, and drive process improvements.
This is a highly visible opportunity for an accounting professional looking to make a meaningful impact within a growing construction organization.
Position Summary:
The Senior Staff Accountant will play a critical role in the day-to-day accounting operations while partnering closely with executive leadership and external financial advisors. This individual will oversee key accounting functions, support month-end close, maintain accurate financial reporting, and provide construction-specific accounting expertise across payroll, job costing, WIP reporting, billing, and project accounting.
The ideal candidate is proactive, detail-oriented, and comfortable working in a collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where they can influence processes and help strengthen the overall accounting function. This role will evolve into a Controller position down the line.
Key Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting & General Accounting
- Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
- Lead month-end and year-end close activities
- Prepare journal entries, accruals, depreciation, amortization, and account reconciliations
- Maintain fixed asset and prepaid expense schedules
- Perform bank, balance sheet, and general ledger reconciliations
- Assist with budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow reporting
- Analyze financial results and investigate account variances
Construction Accounting
- Prepare and maintain Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules
- Monitor job costs, project profitability, and committed costs
- Review project financial performance and identify cost variances
- Support project managers with job cost reporting and financial analysis
- Understand percentage-of-completion accounting and construction revenue recognition
- Review project budgets, change orders, and financial impacts
Payroll, Union & Compliance
- Process and review union payroll
- Support certified payroll and prevailing wage reporting
- Ensure compliance with union agreements and labor reporting requirements
- Coordinate payroll-related reporting and audits
- Assist with workers' compensation audits and insurance reporting
Accounts Receivable & Project Billing
- Prepare and process AIA progress billings
- Track retainage, change orders, and customer receivables
- Monitor collections and aging reports
- Support project billing documentation
Accounts Payable & Treasury
- Review vendor invoices and manage payment processing
- Prepare electronic payments and check runs
- Monitor daily cash activity and banking transactions
- Support cash flow forecasting and treasury activities
Compliance & Process Improvement
- Assist with annual financial reviews and tax preparation
- Prepare sales tax filings and regulatory reports
- Maintain subcontractor compliance documentation and certificates of insurance
- Identify opportunities to improve accounting workflows, reporting accuracy, and internal controls
- Participate in special projects and operational initiatives
Must Have:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5 years of progressive staff accounting experience
- Construction accounting experience
- Strong understanding of: Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting, Job costing, Percentage-of-completion accounting, AIA billing, Union payroll, Certified payroll and prevailing wage, Construction financial reporting
- Experience supporting commercial construction contractors
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
- Experience with construction accounting software
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while working closely with executive leadership
- CPA certification (preferred)
Why Consider This Opportunity?
- Highly visible role supporting executive leadership
- Opportunity to influence accounting processes and financial operations
- Stable, well-established commercial construction organization
- Collaborative, team-oriented environment
- Opportunity to make a meaningful impact and grow professionally within the organization