Senior Construction Project Accountant

Freecity; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Freecity Group in Sydney seeks an experienced Construction Project Accountant to manage project finances, commercial controls and payroll, providing reliable reporting and practical support to senior leadership and project teams.

You will monitor budgets and forecasts, oversee contracts and procurement budgets, validate client claims, and prepare monthly management accounts with a focus on margins and costs to complete. Strong Australian payroll compliance and Jobpac proficiency are essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of industry experience, including at least 5 years as a construction project accountant.
• Strong construction accounting, contract administration, and Australian payroll compliance knowledge, with proficiency in Jobpac.
• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills, with a relevant accounting degree and CA/CPA qualification.

Responsibilities

• Monitor budgets, costs, forecasts and cash flow; analyse profitability and advise variances, movements, margins, risks and opportunities.
• Oversee contracts, subcontracts, procurement budgets, claims and variations; support pre-construction commercial processes and enforce financial controls.
• Validate monthly client claims; ensure revenue recognition; monitor WIP, unbilled revenue, contract assets and retentions; coordinate with Group Finance for collections.
• Prepare monthly management accounts; reconcile trial balances; review balance sheets; develop project forecasts and budgets; analyse margins and costs to complete.
• Process and review weekly and monthly payroll; complete PAYG reconciliations; coordinate payroll tax and STP finalisation with auditors and authorities.
• Identify and implement improvements to project accounting processes, systems and reporting to increase accuracy and efficiency.
• Support cash flow and working capital; monitor budgets, debtor collections and subcontractor payments; oversee deposits, bank guarantees and retentions.

Skills

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Education

Accounting degree

CA/CPA

Tools

Jobpac

Job description

Manage construction project finances, commercial controls and payroll, providing reliable reporting and practical support to senior leadership and project teams.

About the role

Manage construction project finances, commercial controls and payroll, providing reliable reporting and practical support to senior leadership and project teams.

Key responsibilities

• Project financial management: Monitor budgets, costs, forecasts and cash flow, analyse profitability and advise senior management on variances, valuation movements, margins, risks and opportunities.

• Contract administration and commercial oversight: Oversee head contracts, subcontracts, procurement budgets, claims and variations, provide pre-construction commercial support, and maintain effective financial controls in line with company policies, delegated approval limits and contractual obligations.

• Progress claims and revenue recognition: Validate monthly client claims, ensure compliant revenue recognition, monitor certified and disputed claims, WIP, unbilled revenue, contract assets and retentions, and coordinate collections with Group Finance.

• Financial reporting and year-end accounts: Prepare monthly management accounts, trial balance reconciliations, balance sheet reviews and project forecasts, analyse margins and costs to complete, and support annual budgets, statutory accounts and audits.

• Payroll: Process and review weekly and monthly payroll, complete monthly PAYG and payroll liability reconciliations, quarterly superannuation reconciliations and annual PAYG, payroll tax, superannuation and STP finalisation, and coordinate reporting with auditors and authorities.

• Process improvement: Identify and implement improvements to project accounting processes, systems and reporting to increase accuracy and efficiency.

• Cash flow and working capital: Assist to prepare overhead forecasts, monitor budget performance, manage debtor collections and subcontractor payment schedules, and oversee security deposits, bank guarantees, retentions and performance bonds.

• Ad hoc duties: Undertake other ad hoc tasks and responsibilities as reasonably required by management from time to time to support the Finance team and broader business operations.

About you

• Minimum 10 years of industry experience, including at least 5 years as a construction project accountant.

• Strong construction accounting, contract administration, and Australian construction payroll compliance knowledge, with proficiency in Jobpac.

• Strong analytical, communication and stakeholder management skills, with a relevant accounting degree and CA/CPA qualification.

About Freecity Group

Freecity Group is an innovative property development group and builder committed to creating exceptional living spaces that reflect the future of modern urban living.

Based in Sydney, we specialise in dynamic urban renewal projects and community-focused developments that enhance the quality of life, work, and recreation. As a fast-growing privately owned group, we are building a team of passionate individuals who are committed to innovation, excellence, and making a positive impact.

This is an exciting opportunity to join Freecity Group during a period of growth and contribute to the ongoing development of our people, culture, and business operations.