General Job Description:
The Project Accountant is fully responsible for the project billing & collection process, in addition to reviewing the costs, and gross profit on each job. This role interacts heavily with internal project managers and project engineers, and the client/general contraction/owner. The project accountant is a key member of the construction team on each project.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Project Accountant performs a variety of accounting functions in an accounting department to include the following:
- Effectively communicate with Project Managers (PMs) and Project Executives (PXs), regarding contract documents, change orders and other contract modifications, approvals, and any additional services-related to billing.
- Prepare final invoice package containing draft and final invoices for all billable projects, including all applicable backup for approval by the Controller and/or CFO.
- Send final invoices and waivers to the customer & follow up on client approval / payment.
- Assess and pursue opportunities for maximization of client billing; communicate with the Controller/CFO, as to your observations and actions taken.
- Research any unbilled issues to optimize the billing possibilities for the billing period.
- Maintain the billing folders for all projects, with all the appropriate documents, including pay applications, waivers, certified payroll reports, vendor invoices, etc. in accordance with standard procedures.
- Generate and distribute ad hoc receivables reports and job profitability reports.
- Set up new projects, make transfers of employee billable hours and/or expenses, and open and close jobs including review & investigation of open commitments.
- Prepare time and material (T&M) billings with all related supporting documentation.
- Manage/prepare subcontract waivers process.
- Manage certified payroll process on jobs where required.
- Recommend and implement agreed process improvements to the billing cycle.
- Prepare special project analyses for the PXs, PMs and others.
- Participate in monthly and quarterly project review meetings with CFO, Controller, VP of Construction Operations, and Group Leaders.
REQUIRED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:
- Bachelor’s Degree or some college courses in accounting or business preferred.
- More than 5 years of billing and receivables, with at least 2-3 years in construction environment preferred.
- A thorough knowledge of standard contract terms, including hourly, lumps sum, not-to-exceed and how they are applied in the billing process preferred.
- Ability to work well with others under deadline situations and respond to changes in priorities.
- Good written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills.
- Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through to completion.
- Employ problem-solving skills and analysis, and report problems to the CFO.
- Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and Outlook.
