What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Accountant position at Populous?
Project Accountant
Location: Kansas City
Who We Are:
We design places where people love to be together.
Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus: to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human moments.
We’ve designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground-breaking live music venues. Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.
What We Offer:
Professional & Personal Development Programs Summer Hours Hybrid Schedule On-Site Gym Paid Architect Licensure & Certifications Exams Wedding Pay Charitable Match Program Market Leading Wellness Health and Welfare Benefits.
Who We Are Looking For:
Populous is seeking a full-time Project Accountant to join our dynamic Finance team. The ideal candidate will have a minimum of 5 to 7 years previous experience working for an architecture or engineering firm that uses Deltek Vision or Vantagepoint.
The Project Accountant is accountable for monitoring project progress, assisting project managers, responding to client inquiries, investigating variances, entering consultant expenses and ensuring they are properly billed for, and issuing project billings to clients and assisting project managers with payment status and collections. Ensure proper project revenue recognition during month-end close.
What Your Day Could Consist Of:
- Prepare monthly invoice packages consistent with contract and project specific requirements. Ensure all required backup is included for project manager review and approval. Send the final package to client.
- Proper accounting and compliance for international projects, as well as ensuring billings are inclusive of VAT or other taxes imposed.
- Research any unbilled issues to optimize the billing possibilities for the billing period, ensure that consultants are billed timely and when their work is completed.
- Ensure consultant billings are in line with contract and appropriate phase of work. Ensure contracts are signed and insurance certificates are on file prior to payment.
- Maintain billing folders for all projects with all applicable contracts and appropriate documents, including expenses, consultant invoices, and final monthly invoices sent to clients in accordance with standard procedures.
- Ensure project workplans are up-to-date and prepare project management reports. Discuss workplan changes and variances with project managers to ensure accuracy and proper matching of revenue and expenses.
- Effectively communicate with Project Managers (PM’s) and Principals-in-charge (PIC’s), regarding contract documents, change orders and other contract modifications, approvals, and any additional services-related to billing.
- Ensure proper revenue recognition during month-end close and assist in other accounting functions during month-end close process.
- Set up new projects, make transfers of employee billable hours and/or expenses as needed, and open and close phases as needed in the system.
- Assist in automation of accounting processes and additional recommendations.
- Write-off any uncollectable receivables, and labor and expenses as directed by the PM and approved by management.
- Prepare special project analysis for PIC’s, PM’s and others.
- Prepare year-end support for auditor requirements, which may include research and reconcilement.
- Assist in project analysis for annual budget process.
- Communicate and coordinate with offsite locations.
- Ability to work well with others under deadline situations and respond to changes in priorities constantly.
- Ability to work with and manage various personality types.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and see projects through to completion.
- Answering inquiries from CFO, Controller, PM’s, staff, vendors and clients.
Requirements For Success:
- Intermediate to advanced computer literacy and competency including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint (experience with Deltek accounting software a plus).
- Excellent organizational, analytical and verbal/written communication skills.
- Detail oriented, accurate and dependable individual with ability to prioritize
- Ability to employ problem-solving skills and analysis.
- Knowledge of project structure in a client/consultant business environment.
- Knowledge and expertise of percentage-of-completion accounting.
- Knowledge of standard contract terms, including hourly, lump sum, not-to-exceed, and how they are applied in the billing process.
Essential Qualifications:
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
- 5 to 7 years of previous experience working for A/E firm.
Additional details:
- Travel will be required.
- Overtime may be necessary.
Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages. We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, paid time off and continuing education benefits. Populous is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company
No. 1 Firm in Cultural on Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities by BD C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Convention Centers by BD C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Performing Arts and Concert Venues by BD C
Find us here - https://populous.com/careers
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