Field Accounting Manager

Crest Industries; Geismar (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimal Field Services in Geismar, LA, part of Crest Industries, seeks a Field Accounting Manager to lead our field accounting function across projects. You will ensure accurate timekeeping, payroll coordination, client billing, and cost reporting while linking field operations with the home office.

The role requires strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in field accounting, payroll, billing, or related financial ops.
• Experience leading or supervising field accounting teams.
• Industrial construction or project-based accounting experience preferred.
• Strong timekeeping, payroll, billing, and project cost reporting knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop, and hold Field Accountants to deadlines, accuracy standards.
• Establish consistent field accounting practices across projects and sites.
• Oversee timekeeping accuracy, payroll processing, and per diem compliance.
• Manage client billing accuracy and timely project cost reporting.
• Provide timely reporting to Operations and Finance and support project startups.
• Travel to project locations as required.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Decisive

Strong communication

Tools

Microsoft Excel

PENTA

TRACK systems

Job description

Optimal Field Services | A Crest Industries Company

About Optimal Field Services

At Optimal Field Services, we understand what’s at stake during turnarounds, outages, and capital projects. We lead with integrity, trust, and expertise—delivering customized industrial and field service solutions that keep our clients ahead of schedule and under budget.

At Optimal, you come first—plain and simple.

As part of the Crest family, we are committed to:

• We Take Care of Our People
• We Are Our Word
• We Value Relationships
• We Have Something to Prove

Position Summary

The Field Accounting Manager is responsible for leading the field accounting function for Optimal Field Services, ensuring accurate and timely timekeeping, payroll coordination, client billing, cost reporting, and project financial administration. This role serves as a key link between field operations and the home office and is accountable for maintaining accuracy, consistency, and discipline across field accounting processes. The ideal candidate is highly analytical, detail-oriented, decisive, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced project environment where priorities and deadlines can change quickly.

Key Responsibilities

Field Accounting Leadership

• Lead, develop, and hold Field Accountants accountable for established processes, deadlines, and accuracy standards
• Establish consistent field accounting practices across projects and jobsites
• Provide clear direction and quickly resolve issues impacting payroll, billing, or project reporting
• Identify process gaps and implement solutions that improve efficiency and accuracy
• Serve as the primary point of escalation for field accounting issues

Timekeeping & Payroll

• Oversee the collection, review, and accuracy of employee time and equipment records
• Ensure timecards, time exceptions, per diem, and payroll documentation are complete and compliant
• Coordinate payroll processing and resolve discrepancies within required deadlines
• Audit timekeeping practices and identify errors before payroll processing
• Ensure field teams consistently follow Optimal’s timekeeping and payroll procedures

Client Billing & Cost Reporting

• Oversee preparation and submission of accurate and timely client billing
• Review project cost reports and identify discrepancies requiring correction
• Perform routine audits of client systems to ensure approvals, downloads, and invoicing are processed correctly
• Reconcile client system totals with internal billing and project records
• Partner with Operations and Finance to resolve billing and cost-related issues

Project & Operational Support

• Partner closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, Operations, Payroll, and Finance
• Support project mobilization and ensure field accounting processes are established prior to project startup
• Manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously
• Provide timely reporting and information to operational leadership
• Travel to project locations as business needs require

Process Improvement & Controls

• Develop and maintain standardized field accounting procedures and controls
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce manual errors
• Monitor compliance with company and client requirements
• Maintain accurate documentation and audit-ready records
• Drive continuous improvement across timekeeping, payroll, billing, and reporting processes

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in field accounting, project accounting, payroll, billing, or related financial operations
• Supervisory or team leadership experience strongly preferred
• Industrial construction, maintenance, turnaround, or project-based experience strongly preferred
• Experience supporting multiple projects or jobsites simultaneously
• Strong understanding of timekeeping, payroll, client billing, and project cost reporting
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Experience with PENTA, client TRACK systems, or similar ERP/timekeeping platforms preferred
• Ability to travel as required

Key Competencies

• Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability
• Decisive and comfortable working independently
• Sense of urgency and ability to work at a fast pace
• Strong follow-through and personal accountability
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines
• Comfortable challenging inconsistencies and enforcing established processes
• Strong financial and operational judgment
• Clear, direct communication
• Ability to remain effective in changing or ambiguous situations

What Success Looks Like

The successful Field Accounting Manager creates a disciplined, reliable field accounting operation where payroll is accurate, client billing is timely, project reporting is dependable, and issues are identified and resolved before they impact the business. This individual takes ownership, works with urgency, challenges inconsistencies, holds the team accountable, and continuously looks for ways to improve how work gets done.