Project Accountant

Job Cost/Project Accountant - Electrical Construction

The Job Cost Accountant serves as the financial backbone of the project lifecycle, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant tracking of all costs, billings, and revenue associated with electrical construction projects. This role oversees the full spectrum of project accounting activities-from initial contract setup to final closeout-and operates as a sole practitioner responsible for maintaining the integrity of job cost data. The position also functions as the primary liaison between the Accounting department and Project Managers, facilitating communication, improving processes, and supporting informed financial decision-making.

Hybrid: 3 days a week

Primary Responsibilities:

Project Accounting & Percentage-of-Completion (POC) Revenue

• Prepare, calculate, and review revenue recognition in accordance with Percentage-of-Completion methodologies and GAAP.
• Maintain and reconcile work-in-progress (WIP) schedules and ensure proper timing of revenue, cost deferrals, and adjustments.
• Monitor project financial performance to ensure revenue, margin, and cost forecasts are accurate and aligned with project realities.

Project Setup, Administration & Closeout

• Establish new projects within the ERP system, including budgets, labor codes, cost categories, and contract terms.
• Partner with Project Managers and Operations to validate budgets, scopes, and billing structures.
• Complete financial closeouts for finished projects, ensuring final reconciliations, revenue adjustments, and documentation accuracy.
• Maintain compliance with AIA billing standards, including G702/G703 documentation, schedule of values, and progress billing support.

Contract, Change Order & Billing Management

• Track contract values, retainage, billing milestones, and financial obligations associated with each project.
• Process, record, and monitor the financial impact of approved and pending change orders.
• Ensure proper documentation and accounting treatment for all contract modifications.
• Prepare, issue, and track lien waivers as required, ensuring accuracy and compliance with state and contractual requirements.

Subcontract & Vendor Financial Oversight

• Process subcontractor and vendor invoices, confirming accuracy and alignment with progress, retainage, and executed agreements.
• Reconcile subcontractor billings with field reports and job progress.
• Ensure adherence to subcontract financial terms, insurance requirements, and project compliance documentation.

Job Cost Reporting, Analysis & Collaboration

• Serve as the main point of contact for Project Managers regarding cost performance, job status, and financial questions.
• Compile, analyze, and distribute job cost reports, highlighting variances, trends, and margin impacts.
• Support budgeting and forecasting efforts, including cost-to-complete assessments and variance explanations.
• Provide financial insight to leadership for decision-making and resource planning.

Process Improvement & Internal Controls

• Continuously assess job costing workflows and project accounting procedures to identify opportunities for automation, accuracy, and control enhancements.
• Support audit inquiries and ensure documentation complies with internal and external requirements.
• Maintain strong internal controls over job cost, billing, and revenue recognition functions.

Qualifications & Competencies

• Strong background in job costing, project accounting, and construction financial practices.
• Hands-on experience with AIA billing standards and lien waiver preparation.
• Proven ability to work independently as a sole practitioner while maintaining accuracy across multiple projects.
• Solid understanding of Percentage-of-Completion (POC) accounting principles.
• Proficiency in ERP/project accounting systems (e.g., Vista, SAP, Oracle, MS Dynamics) and advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, modeling).
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with Project Managers, vendors, and organizational leadership.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong math, analytical, and data-entry capabilities.