Project Accountant

About JR Merit

JR Merit, Inc. was founded in 1997 on the belief that “merit”—the quality of being good and worthy—was something worth working for. Today, we are recognized as one of the highest-value industrial and mechanical construction contractors in the marketplace for complex infrastructure and critical plant processes. We take pride in being a union shop with a passion for surpassing client expectations.

We're growing! JR Merit offers an exciting opportunity to develop and expand your career by supporting projects in highly unique and technical industries. If you want to have a voice, influence our continued growth, and work collaboratively as a team to find innovative solutions to our clients’ construction challenges, we want to get to know you.

Overview

The Project Accountant is responsible for ensuring that all projects are accounted for consistently with accurate, timely, and reliable financial information. The Project Accountant will provide exceptional customer service and support the needs of the project management team. This individual will manage project setup tasks, review budgets, manage project commitments, prepare financial reporting related to the projects, and assist with any other project related accounting needs. This role will partner with the Operations Team along with the Accounts Receivable Specialist, Accounts Payable Specialist, and Payroll Administrator as needed to provide support.

The Project Accountant has regular contact with all levels of staff, customers, third-party partners, and vendors. This position reports to the Chief Financial Officer. This role is based out of our corporate office and requires in-office presence. Occasional travel may be required to support projects.

Essential Functions:

• Participate in the project setup process with the project management team, with an emphasis on reviewing and establishing accounting and tax-related setup items and entering accurate data in the company ERP systems.
• Identify when project kickoff meetings are required and schedule with internal project stakeholders.
• Complete project setup tasks in Procore for project management purposes including integration from Viewpoint Vista, review of budget data, updating the project directory, project admin data, prime contract, etc.
• Understand all contract terms for current company projects and identify specific financial contract terms related to pricing, bonding requirements, billing, payment terms, retention, and related due dates.
• Perform contract quality control to ensure compliance with the contract terms.
• Work with the company's surety to request, process, and close out project bonds.
• Request COI from insurance broker and provide to client as needed.
• File notice of right-to-lien for applicable projects.
• Assist Project Management team with creation, issuance, and integration of project commitments including POs, subcontracts, PSAs, MSA work releases, and supplier agreements (M&E).
• Obtain necessary compliance documents for commitments and file appropriately in project folders.
• Update project procurement log as needed.
• Work with project team to quantify and price change events in order to update change event log.
• Perform billings tasks on assigned projects.
• Collaborate with Accounts Receivable and Project Management teams to ensure billings are performed timely and accurately.
• Enter approved prime contract change orders into ERP systems including applicable costs, revenue, and issuing any required cost commitments.
• Provide support to the Project Management Team relative to project costs, phase coding, commitments, and reporting.
• Provide support to AR/AP relative to billings, receipts, retention, and cash postings.
• Maintain a continuous line of communication to the Project Management Team/Finance Team to answer all project related accounting questions.
• Audit and resolve any project accounting issues to ensure accuracy and company credibility.
• Perform job cost adjustments.
• Complete project related closeout tasks including issuing deductive change orders to subcontractors and suppliers, obtaining lien releases, archiving project documents, and assisting with ERP closeout tasks.
• Answer month-end close project related questions with regards to WIP, project costs, and revenue.
• Ability to adhere to deadlines while maintaining focus and high attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.

Required Qualifications:

• 2 years of accounting experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• 2 years of project accounting experience within the construction industry.
• Knowledge of construction contract terms, including understanding of contract types, pricing, and project requirements/structure.
• A Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Business Administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and see projects through to successful completion.
• Intermediate to advanced computer and Microsoft Office skills.
• Strong grasp of project job costing and budgetary requirements.
• Experience with committed project costs including subcontracts, POs, MSAs and PSAs.
• Experience utilizing Vista by Viewpoint.
• Knowledge of Procore Construction software.
• Experience with DocuSign/ERP accounting software.
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations and respond to constantly changing priorities.
• Understanding of Federal, State, and local tax laws and application to the projects.
• Critical thinking skills and analysis to audit project accounting workflow for accuracy and efficiency.

Working Conditions:

• This position is based out of our corporate office in Vancouver, WA. Occasional travel may be required to support JR Merit’s projects.
• This role requires in-office presence.
• Work is generally performed while standing or sitting, in an office environment, with a computer and telephone.
• At times, work may be performed at a jobsite where additional training, certification(s), and clearances may be needed to comply with jobsite requirements.
• Must be able to lift, carry, and move up to 20 pounds as needed.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving record.

Compensation Range:

$75,000-95,000

Benefits We Offer:

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Discretionary merit bonus
• Medical/dental/vision insurance for employees dependents
• Tiered paid time off (PTO) plan and paid holidays
• 401(k) & Match
• Career Development Map/Growth Opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long Term Disability Coverage

Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer:

JR Merit, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and it is our policy to provide equal opportunity to all people without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected category. We are a background screening, drug-free workplace.

JR Merit, Inc provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation in order to apply for a job, please submit your request to recruiting@jrmerit.com

Work Authorization:

JR Merit, Inc. is a federal contractor which participates in E-Verify. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.

Notice to Staffing Agencies and Recruiters: JR Merit does not accept unsolicited resumes, profiles, or applications. Agencies and third-party recruiters are asked not to contact JR Merit employees to present candidates unless a prior signed agreement is in place. Any unsolicited resumes submitted will be considered property of JR Merit.