Project Accountant

Project Accountant

About us

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary

The Project Accountant will report to the Accounting Supervisor and is primarily responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of a project as it progresses. They will manage all project bills and invoices including reviewing budgets and preparing financial reports and ensure consistent billing and preparation of reliable financial reports. The Project Accountant will perform day-to-day core project accounting functions within job-cost Deltek VantagePoint accounting system, including Project Initiation, Project Monitoring/Budgeting, Project Billing, Project Accruals, Accounts Payable (“A/P”) and Accounts Receivable (“A/R”) management, monthly close, preparation of financial statements as needed, internal/external reporting, and other ad-hoc tasks.

Responsibilities

• Upon award of new projects, review Contracts and Proposals, support Project Managers is the development Project Start-up Sheets, and set-up projects in accounting system with appropriate billing rate tables.
• Review budgets, including staffing, work plans, and fee structures.
• Provide project managers and clients with timely financial reports
• Prepare pre-billing reports for project managers to review.
• Review monthly project detail to ensure appropriateness of billable cost and revenue recognition.
• Monitor receivable income and supporting project managers with collections.
• Ensure a steady cash flow by generating, auditing, and sending invoices in a timely manner.
• Update contracts according to client requirements and reporting associated budget amendments.
• Prepare and analyze financial and operational reports; prepare reports required by management, regulatory agencies, and other external parties.
• Support year-end and ad-hoc audits. Prepare supporting schedules and documentation.
• Continually work to identify and implement more efficient procedures and use of resources to improve workflow while maintaining a high level of accuracy.
• Become a subject matter expert (SME) in the company’s ERP system billing module.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management, e.g. supporting JV tax schedules, month end close, office administrative tasks.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in accounting, or similar.
• 2-5 years' experience as a project accountant, or similar.
• Advanced proficiency in managing general ledgers, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Exceptional ability to prepare project budgets, financial forecasts.
• Extensive experience in project invoicing and billing.
• In-depth knowledge of best practices in accounting.
• Excellent communication skills toward effective collaboration and client services.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Acute attention to detail.
• Excellent communication, data collection, data analysis, and evaluation skills.
• Ability to work with all levels of management.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills; able to manage priorities and workflow.
• Good judgement with the ability to make timely and sound decisions
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.
• Intermediate to Expert Microsoft Excel skills required.

Experience

• 2 - 5 years: Experience in project-based accounting or similar

Education

• Bachelors or better in Accounting or related field

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)