Construction Project Accountant

Jansen; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Jansen Inc. in Seattle seeks a Project Cost Analyst to bridge accounting and field operations, ensuring numbers on paper match on the job site.

You will serve as the primary contact for subcontractor billings, review pay applications, verify amounts, and reconcile missing quantities and extra work costs with subcontractors. Core duties include job cost tracking, ensuring costs are coded and categorized correctly, and flagging variances early so project managers and leadership can trust the

Qualifications

• Experience in construction accounting or cost accounting is preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel is required.
• Strong attention to detail with good reconciliation skills and ability to communicate clearly with non‑accountants.
• Experience with Foundation Software or a comparable construction accounting ERP is preferred.
• No specific educational requirement; relevant experience weighed heavily.

Responsibilities

• Billing administration and cost management for subcontractors and suppliers.
• Process and approve project invoices, change orders, and time & materials costs; reconcile payments.
• Maintain logs of quantities and compare to budget; support allocation of expenses and revenues.
• Analyze variances between estimated/contracted costs and actual spending; identify cost-saving opportunities.

Skills

Excel proficiency

Detail orientation

Communication

Cost accounting

Tools

Foundation Software

Job description

Jansen Inc., a heavy civil construction company based in Seattle, is looking for a Project Cost Analyst to serve as the connective bridge between our accounting department and field operations. This role will support the financial side of job execution making sure the numbers on paper match what's actually happening on the job.

This role will be a primary point of contact for subcontractor billings, which can include reviewing pay applications for accuracy, verifying amounts against subcontract terms and supplier quotes, and working with subcontractors to reconcile and submit their missing quantities and extra work costs. Job cost tracking is a core part of the role, keeping actuals in line with budget, flagging variances early, and making sure costs are coded and categorized correctly so project managers and leadership can trust the numbers they're looking at.

Above all, this is a role for someone who's comfortable moving between two different worlds; the discipline of accounting and the pace of field operations. Someone who can translate between them without losing accuracy on either side.

Key Responsibilities

Billing Administration & Cost Management

• Subcontractor and supplier point of contact for billing administration and cost management
• Supporting project operations in processing and approving project invoices, change order and T&M cost submissions and payment reconciliation

Cost Tracking and Allocation

• Maintain quantities complete logs for all projects and compare to budgeted costs complete
• Support accounting department in maintaining allocation of expenses and revenues

Variance Analysis

• Analyze discrepancies between estimated or contracted costs and actual spending or billed costs
• Support project operations in strategic planning by identifying opportunities for cost savings

Qualifications

• Prior experience in construction accounting or cost accounting; heavy civil or public works experience strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel required
• Strong attention to detail and reconciliation skills. Someone detail-oriented enough to catch discrepancies, but able to communicate clearly with people who aren't accountants.
• Experience with Foundation Software or a comparable construction specific accounting/ERP system preferred.
• No specific educational requirement; relevant experience will be weighted heavily in the hiring decision.