Project Accountant

BW Design Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 55,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

BW Design Group in Chicago seeks a project finance professional to act as the financial gatekeeper for project revenues, costs, and margins, ensuring GAAP compliance and accurate forecasting.

You will provide project finance support, analyze performance across local offices, manage monthly closings, client invoicing, and contribute to ongoing process improvements while collaborating with project teams and leadership.

Qualifications

• Relevant financial or accounting experience (preferred).
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration.
• Advanced Excel skills and GAAP knowledge are required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the financial gatekeeper for project revenues, costs, and margins that flow through to the business’ audited financial statements.
• Provide project finance support, oversight, and analysis to local offices and the region.
• Ensure appropriate project set‑up in compliance with finance department guidelines and GAAP.
• Review and analyze project forecasts and ensure revenues and margins are forecasted accurately; enter forecasts into EMS.
• Review and approve monthly project revenue/cost recognition following GAAP.
• Prepare, review, and issue client invoices; work with clients and AR to ensure timely collection.
• Analyze project risks and identify profitability opportunities; advise on risk reserves.
• Track project labor and expenses; monitor budget variations and advise the team.
• Support month‑end close and track KPIs and financial indicators.
• Support training of new project accountants and project managers.

Skills

Advanced Excel skills

Strong communication

Financial analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration

Tools

EMS software

Job description

Who You’ll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world‑class professional and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as the financial gatekeeper for project revenues, costs, and margins that flow through to the business’ audited financial statements
• Provide project finance support, oversight, and analysis to local offices and the region
• Ensure appropriate project set‑up in compliance with finance department guidelines and GAAP
• Review and analyze project forecasts and ensure that revenues and margins are accurately forecasted based on finance department guidelines and GAAP; enter the finalized forecast into the EMS software system
• Review and approve monthly project revenue/cost recognition following GAAP
• Review and analyze project forecast variances, and present analyses to management
• Prepare, review, and issue client invoices; work with clients, project teams, and the A/R department to ensure timely collection on invoices
• Analyze project risks and identify opportunities for profitability; make recommendations to the project accounting manager on the appropriate amount of risk or reserve to apply to the project
• Issue purchase orders and verify their financial terms and conditions
• Track project labor and expenses; advise the project team on any budget variations and make appropriate recommendations
• Track and audit travel and expense expenditures to ensure compliance with company policies
• Ensure compliance with client agreements, billing policies, and internal financial policies; address any adverse findings
• Communicate with the project teams and accounting manager regarding all significant client/project financial matters; participate in monthly project review meetings with the regional accounting manager
• Provide support to financial department leadership during month‑end close and in the tracking and analysis of business trends, KPIs, and other financial indicators
• Provide financial support for new and active proposals; update the proposal software system
• Support training of new project accountants and project managers; ensure training complies with established financial processes and policies
• Work to improve financial processes and communication across the firm
• Participate in the annual external audit
• Make an impact day‑to‑day with your skills and expertise, strengthening that relationship with our clients and team

What You’ll Bring

• Relevant financial or accounting experience (preferred)
• Advanced Excel skills
• A working knowledge of equipment and service procurement (preferred)
• An understanding of financial practices, principles, processes, and systems (preferably in a corporate environment)
• Solid interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills
• The ability to meet monthly closing and project deadlines
• A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration

Travel

Limited travel may be required based on project support within the assigned region.

The approximate pay range for this position is $55,000 - $60,000 per year. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.