Manager, Financial Planning & Project Accounting

Mannik Smith Group; Rockford (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/life/disability insurance

401K profit‑sharing plan

Paid time off

An awesome work environment

Job summary

Fehr Graham, based in Rockford, IL, seeks a seasoned Financial Planning and Project Accounting Manager to lead our project accounting and financial analysis team. You will drive forecasting, profitability reporting and planning, guiding project managers and leaders with actionable insights.

You’ll work hands‑on, shaping how information is reported and used to boost project profitability and business performance across a growing professional services firm.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive experience in project accounting, financial planning and analysis, or related finance work, including leadership or supervisory responsibility.
• Experience in an architecture, engineering or construction (AEC), professional services or other project-based environment preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with Deltek Vantagepoint, Power BI or comparable systems.
• Knowledge of project accounting, including project setup, revenue recognition, work in progress, billing, multipliers, backlog and project profitability.
• Experience leading accurate, timely project accounting and financial analysis cycles.
• The ability to balance recurring reporting deadlines with ad hoc analysis and business needs.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, variance analysis and management reporting skills.
• The ability to take complex financial and project data and turn it into clear recommendations for non‑finance leaders.

Responsibilities

• Lead project accounting, project profitability reporting, budgeting and forecasting, management dashboards, key performance indicators and business analytics.
• Lead and develop the project accounting and financial analysis team, including work assignments, feedback and professional development.
• Partner with project managers and operational leaders to understand results, evaluate project performance and determine next steps.
• Build and improve budgets, forecasts, profitability models, dashboards and leadership reporting.
• Recommend improvements to financial planning, project accounting, data quality, reporting and business processes.
• Make decisions about analytical methods, reporting approaches, team assignments and routine process improvements within established financial controls.
• Flag significant financial risks, forecast concerns, control issues and project performance concerns to the CFO.
• Work with the Controller to keep responsibilities and handoffs between project accounting and general accounting clear and efficient.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Forecasting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Tools

Deltek Vantagepoint

Power BI

Excel

Job description

Manager, Financial Planning & Project Accounting

Department: Corporate/Administrative

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Rockford, IL

Reporting To: Todd Shankland

Compensation: $100,000 - $120,000 / year

Description

Financial Planning and Project Accounting Manager

Turn project data into better business decisions. Fehr Graham is looking for a Financial Planning and Project Accounting Manager who can see beyond the numbers. You’ll lead our project accounting and financial analysis team, strengthen how we plan and forecast, and help project managers and operational leaders understand what the numbers mean for their work.

This is a hands‑on leadership role for someone who enjoys digging into project performance, improving how information is reported and giving people the financial insight they need to make better decisions.

What’s in it for you?

You’ll have the opportunity to shape how financial information supports a growing professional services firm. You won’t be sitting on the sidelines producing reports – you’ll work directly with project managers, operational leaders and the Chief Financial Officer to improve project profitability, forecasting and business performance.

You’ll also lead and develop a team, improve processes, and help build financial tools and reporting that people can actually use.

Where you’ll work

This position is based in our Rockford, Illinois, office. At Fehr Graham, relationships matter – with our clients and with each other. We work hard, support one another and make room for some fun along the way. "Have Fun" is one of our Core Values, and you’ll see that in everything from team celebrations to office outings. We also want our people to keep growing. You’ll join a team that values professional development, collaboration and the opportunity to make an impact.

GO BEYOND THE JOB AD: Ignite your passion and learn more about what we do.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Fehr Graham provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

What you’ll do

• Lead project accounting, project profitability reporting, budgeting and forecasting, management dashboards, key performance indicators and business analytics.
• Lead and develop the project accounting and financial analysis team, including work assignments, feedback and professional development.
• Partner with project managers and operational leaders to understand results, evaluate project performance and determine next steps.
• Build and improve budgets, forecasts, profitability models, dashboards and leadership reporting.
• Recommend improvements to financial planning, project accounting, data quality, reporting and business processes.
• Make decisions about analytical methods, reporting approaches, team assignments and routine process improvements within established financial controls.
• Flag significant financial risks, forecast concerns, control issues and project performance concerns to the CFO.
• Work with the Controller to keep responsibilities and handoffs between project accounting and general accounting clear and efficient.

What it takes

• 7+ years of progressive experience in project accounting, financial planning and analysis, or related finance work, including leadership or supervisory responsibility.
• Experience in an architecture, engineering or construction (AEC), professional services or other project-based environment preferred.
• Strong Excel skills and experience with Deltek Vantagepoint, Power BI or comparable systems.
• Knowledge of project accounting, including project setup, revenue recognition, work in progress, billing, multipliers, backlog and project profitability.
• Experience leading accurate, timely project accounting and financial analysis cycles.
• The ability to balance recurring reporting deadlines with ad hoc analysis and business needs.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, variance analysis and management reporting skills.
• The ability to take complex financial and project data and turn it into clear recommendations for non‑finance leaders.

What you’ll get

You’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people-first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:

• Medical/life/disability insurance.
• 401K profit‑sharing plan.
• Paid time off.
• An awesome work environment.

Learn more about Fehr Graham’s people, culture and projects on our website.

Benefits & Pay Transparency

The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company’s good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.

We may use AI‑powered tools to support administrative aspects of recruiting, including sourcing support and note‑taking. These tools do not evaluate candidates or influence screening, interview, or hiring decisions. Every candidate is reviewed and assessed by human recruiters and hiring managers.