Cost Accountant I – Operational Finance

Turner Construction Company; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner Construction Company is seeking a cost accounting–oriented financial assistant to support project accounting and closeout activities. You will assist with cost reports, AP through SSO, and vendor invoice validation, while learning construction finance and AI-enabled processes.

The role emphasizes accuracy, confidentiality, and collaboration with project teams. A bachelor’s degree in finance/accounting/construction management plus 1 year of experience is preferred; familiar with SAP and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or related field with minimum 1 year experience; internship or co-op preferred.
• Basic understanding of GAAP and financial processes
• Interest in cost accounting, construction finance, and project-based financial management
• Familiarity with AI tools for financial analysis, data validation, and automation encouraged
• Ability to maintain confidential information and follow policies
• Highly organized with attention to detail
• Team-oriented and able to prioritize with guidance
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook; familiar with financial systems
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Willingness to learn and adapt in a dynamic financial environment
• Limited travel

Responsibilities

• Assist with financial administration and cost accounting activities for assigned projects.
• Support implementation of company financial policies and procedures for compliant project reporting.
• Assist with project accounting tasks and analyze financial data using company systems.
• Develop understanding of construction operations, contracts, and cost drivers.
• Assist with preparation, review, and audit of Cost reports.
• Identify cost variances, risks, and compliance considerations through review of financials.
• Audit and reconcile client bill against general ledger for accuracy.
• Support timely Accounts Payable transactions through SSO and verify vendor invoices.
• Review subcontractor contracts, insurance, and lien waivers for compliance.
• Learn month-end close tasks: posting journals, reconciling ledgers, validating WIP.
• Maintain records of project assets and rentals for insurance docs.
• Prepare project billings in line with contracts and policies.
• Monitor accounts receivable and raise billing/collection concerns.
• Participate in forecasting GR/GCs, staff, and labor costs.
• Attend site visits to observe Finance operations and data gathering.
• Coordinate with project teams and SSO for data flow.
• Assist with project setup and budget coding in financial systems.
• Assist with final cost reconciliation and revenue validation at closeout.
• Support internal and external audits with required documentation.
• Attend team meetings to improve processes and discuss AI integration.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Cost accounting interest

AI tools familiarity

Confidential information handling

Organized and detail-oriented

Team collaboration

Microsoft Excel

Professional communication

Willingness to learn

Limited travel

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Finance/Accounting/Construction Management

Tools

SAP

Job description

Position Description

Assist with financial administration and cost accounting activities for assigned projects. Support implementation of company financial policies and procedures to monitor and facilitate compliance and accuracy in project financial reporting.

• Assist with and perform project accounting tasks and analyze financial data for assigned projects using company financial systems.
• Develop foundational understanding of construction operations, contract types, and cost drivers through active project engagement.
• Assist with preparation, review, and audit of Cost reports.
• Learn to identify cost variances, project risks, and compliance considerations through guided review of project financials.
• Audit and reconcile client bill against general ledger to ensure accuracy and compliance.
• Assist with and support timely Accounts Payable (AP) transactions through Shared Service Organization (SSO), review vendor and subcontractor invoices for assigned projects to confirm accurate coding of costs with required documentation.
• Conduct verification of subcontractor compliance (e.g., contracts, insurance, lien waivers) and elevate discrepancies as identified. Assist with audits and research of vendor accounts. and reconciliation of outstanding invoices based on expected monthly expenses.
• Learn and perform assigned components of month-end close activities, including: posting journal entries accurately, reconcile general ledger accounts, validate Work-In-Place (WIP), and resolve or elevate discrepancies prior to close deadlines.
• Maintain accurate records of project assets and rentals for insurance documentation.
• Support preparation of project billings for assigned projects in accordance with contract requirements and company policies, with oversight.
• Monitor accounts receivable status and elevate billing or collection concerns to supervisor (e.g., Cost Accountant or Accounting Manager).
• Participate in forecasting General Conditions/General Requirements (GR/GCs), staff, and labor projections to accurately forecast costs including insurance and taxes.
• Participate in job site visits to observe Finance operations, progress, and gather financial data to understand financial progress of projects.
• Coordinate with project teams and SSO to support accurate and timely financial data flow.
• Assist with project set up and maintenance in financials systems; follow and maintain current and new budget coding and structure.
• Assist with final cost reconciliation and revenue validation during project closeout.
• Support internal and external audit requests, gather required documentation, as directed.
• Attend and contribute to team meetings to understand financial processes, adopt best practices, and evaluate Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool integration.
• Other activities, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited degree program in Finance, Accounting, Construction Management, or related field of study with minimum 1 years of related experience; internship or co-op experience in accounting or finance preferred, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
• Basic understanding of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial processes
• Demonstrate interest in cost accounting, construction finance, and/or project-based financial management
• Basic understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for financial analysis, data validation, and process automation desired, and demonstrate willingness to learn how to apply them to improve financial processes for efficiency and accuracy
• Able to maintain confidential information and adhere to company financial policies, practices, and standard operating procedures
• Highly organized with accuracy and attention to detail
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with team members, ask questions, and flexible to prioritize responsibilities to meet deadlines with direction from supervisor
• Proficient computer skills, Microsoft Office suite of applications, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and familiar with financial systems (e.g., SAP), a plus
• Professional verbal and written communication skills
• Willingness to learn and able to adapt while working in a dynamic environment within financial deadlines
• Limited travel

Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands, talk, and hear. The employee frequently views a computer monitor and frequently uses a computer keyboard. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The employee is occasionally required to be mobile, and the employee occasionally travels both short and long distances via a variety of conveyances. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment:The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office setting. The noise in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate in an office setting. The employee is required to work in compliance with company safety policies, procedures, and applicable laws.

Turner is an Equal Opportunity Employer - race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.

For reasonable accommodations, please click here .

View your Equal Employment Opportunity rights under the law.

Turner is an Equal Opportunity Employer - race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.