Project Accountant

CEDAR; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Paid Time Off

Paid Holidays

Job summary

Cedar Investment Group is seeking an experienced Project Accountant to manage day-to-day accounting for assigned development projects within its data center portfolio. You will maintain project financial records, monitor costs, and support budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in collaboration with Development, Construction, Procurement, and Accounting teams.

You will analyze project activity, resolve discrepancies, and ensure timely financial information to support business decisions in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of accounting experience, preferably in project, construction, real estate development, or project-based accounting.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and project-based accounting principles.
• Experience with project cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting.
• Strong Excel skills for detailed financial analysis.
• Experience with ERP/real estate/project accounting systems (Yardi, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Deltek).
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication across cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting activities for assigned development projects, including setup, cost coding, commitments, invoices, accruals, and cost tracking.
• Maintain accurate project financial records and ensure transactions are assigned to the correct project and period.
• Monitor actual costs against budgets and forecasts.
• Review activity for completeness and compliance with policies and controls.
• Research discrepancies and coordinate corrections with business partners.
• Support month-end and year-end close for project accounting.
• Prepare recurring project financial reports and variance analyses.
• Coordinate with project managers for updated forecasts and schedule inputs.
• Assist with construction draws and project funding processes.

Skills

U.S. GAAP knowledge

Excel proficiency

Financial analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Yardi

NetSuite

SAP

Oracle/Deltek

Job description

Job Description Summary

Cedar is seeking an experienced Project Accountant who will be responsible for the day-to-day accounting and financial administration of assigned development projects across Cedar Investment Group’s data center portfolio. Reporting to the Project Accounting Manager, this role maintains accurate project financial records, monitors project costs and commitments, supports budgeting and forecasting, prepares project reporting, and works closely with Development, Construction, Procurement, and Accounting teams to ensure project financial information is complete, accurate, and timely.

The Project Accountant will be expected to develop a strong understanding of assigned projects and independently analyze project activity, identify discrepancies or emerging issues, reconcile financial information, and coordinate resolution with appropriate business partners. The role requires strong accounting knowledge, attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced development environment.

Job Description

Project Accounting & Cost Management

• Manage day-to-day accounting activities for assigned development projects, including project setup, cost coding, commitments, invoices, accruals, and project cost tracking.
• Maintain accurate project financial records and ensure transactions are recorded to the appropriate project, entity, cost code, and accounting period.
• Monitor actual project costs and commitments against approved budgets and forecasts.
• Review project accounting activity for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with company accounting policies and established controls.
• Research project cost discrepancies, coding issues, and other accounting variances and coordinate corrections as necessary.
• Maintain supporting schedules, reconciliations, and documentation for assigned projects.
• Support month-end and year-end close activities related to project accounting.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Reporting

• Support project budgeting and forecasting processes by maintaining accurate project cost information and incorporating updated commitments, expenditures, and anticipated costs.
• Prepare recurring project financial reports, cost reports, variance analyses, and other financial information for review by the Project Accounting Manager and project leadership.
• Analyze budget-to-actual results and identify material variances, trends, or potential financial issues requiring further review.
• Coordinate with project managers to obtain updated forecasts, anticipated commitments, schedule information, and other inputs necessary for accurate project reporting.
• Assist with preparation of project-level financial information used in corporate budgeting, forecasting, investor reporting, and management reporting.
• Provide timely and accurate project financial information to support business decision-making.

Invoice, Billing & Payment Support

• Review project invoices and supporting documentation for accuracy, appropriate coding, contractual alignment, and required approvals.
• Coordinate with Development, Construction, Procurement, Accounts Payable, and vendors to resolve invoice discrepancies and payment issues.
• Monitor outstanding invoices, commitments, and accrual requirements to support accurate project financial reporting.
• Support project billing, invoicing, reimbursement, and collection processes as applicable to assigned projects.
• Maintain documentation supporting project expenditures, payments, and financial transactions.
• Assist with construction draw and other project funding processes as required.

Project Team Partnership

• Serve as an accounting resource to Development, Construction, Procurement, and other project stakeholders for assigned projects.
• Develop a working understanding of project budgets, contracts, commitments, schedules, and significant financial activities.
• Partner with project managers to ensure changes in project scope, commitments, forecasts, and anticipated costs are appropriately reflected in financial reporting.
• Provide project teams with accurate financial information and assist in resolving accounting and cost-related questions.
• Proactively identify financial or accounting issues and elevate material concerns to the Project Accounting Manager.
• Participate in project meetings as appropriate to maintain visibility into project activity and upcoming financial requirements.

Accounting Controls & Compliance

• Perform project account reconciliations and maintain appropriate supporting documentation.
• Ensure project accounting activities comply with U.S. GAAP, company accounting policies, internal controls, and established project accounting procedures.
• Maintain complete and organized documentation supporting project transactions, balances, and reporting.
• Support internal and external audit requests by preparing project-level documentation, schedules, reconciliations, and analyses.
• Assist with implementation and maintenance of accounting controls and standardized project accounting processes.
• Identify opportunities to improve accuracy, consistency, efficiency, and visibility within project accounting processes.

Required Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3+ years of accounting experience, preferably including project, construction, real estate development, engineering, or other project-based accounting.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and project-based accounting principles.
• Experience with project cost accounting, budgeting, forecasting, reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting.
• Ability to analyze project financial information, identify discrepancies and variances, and independently research and resolve routine accounting issues.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to organize and analyze detailed financial information.
• Experience with ERP, project accounting, or financial systems such as Yardi, NetSuite, SAP, Oracle, Deltek, or similar platforms.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work cross-functionally with accounting and non-accounting teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in real estate development, construction, data centers, infrastructure, or a related industry.
• Experience supporting large-scale capital development projects.
• Experience with Yardi or similar real estate/project accounting systems.
• Experience with construction draws, project funding, commitments, and development cost reporting.
• CPA candidate, CPA certification, or advanced degree is a plus but not required.

Core Competencies

Accounting & Financial Analysis: Applies sound accounting principles and analytical skills to maintain accurate project financial information and identify issues requiring resolution.

Ownership & Accountability: Takes responsibility for assigned projects, deadlines, reconciliations, and reporting and follows issues through resolution.

Attention to Detail: Maintains a high level of accuracy across project costs, coding, reconciliations, documentation, and financial reporting.

Business Partnership: Works effectively with Development, Construction, Procurement, Finance, and Accounting teams and translates project activity into accurate financial information.

Judgment & Problem Solving: Independently researches discrepancies, evaluates financial information, resolves routine accounting matters, and appropriately escalates material issues.

Organization & Execution: Effectively manages multiple projects, competing deadlines, and detailed financial information in a fast-paced environment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in a professional office environment and remain at a computer for extended periods.
• Ability to communicate effectively in person, by telephone, and through electronic communication.
• Ability to occasionally travel to project sites or other business locations as needed.
• Ability to occasionally lift or move office materials weighing up to 20 pounds.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays

Schedule

Full-time position based in Arlington, Virginia. Regular onsite presence is expected, with flexibility as appropriate based on business and project needs.