Project Accountant

AppleOne Employment Services; Costa Mesa (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

E-Verify participation

Reasonable accommodations

Job summary

AppleOne Employment Services is seeking a Project Accountant in Costa Mesa, CA to support financial management for residential and commercial construction projects. This role targets candidates with 3–5 years of accounting experience, strong job costing, budgeting, reporting, and close collaboration with project teams.

The position offers a direct hire path, exposure to project performance, and opportunities to grow within construction accounting in a collaborative, detail‑oriented environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required.
• 3 to 5 years of accounting experience, preferably in construction or project-based environments.
• Strong knowledge of job costing, project budgeting, cost tracking, reconciliations, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage project accounting activities including job costing, budgeting, cost tracking and financial reporting.
• Review and reconcile project invoices, POs, subcontractor payments, change orders, and related docs.
• Prepare cost reports, forecasts, variance analyses, and financial summaries for management.
• Monitor budgets and expenditures to identify overruns, savings opportunities and risks.
• Collaborate with project managers and finance teams to ensure accurate cost allocation and revenue recognition.
• Support audits, month-end close, and financial statement prep with accurate project records.

Skills

Job costing

Budgeting

Financial reporting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Multi-project management

Excel proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Tools

Sage

Viewpoint

Procore

Job description

Job Summary

A stable organization near Costa Mesa, CA is seeking a Project Accountant to support the financial management of residential and commercial construction projects. This direct hire opportunity is ideal for an accounting professional with 3 to 5 years of experience who enjoys job costing, budgeting, reporting, and partnering closely with project teams. The Project Accountant will play a key role in keeping projects financially accurate, organized, and on track. This position offers the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with supportive leadership, strong teamwork across accounting and operations, and visibility into project performance and decision-making. Candidates who are detail‑oriented, analytical, and motivated to grow within construction accounting will find this role rewarding and impactful.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage accounting activities for construction projects, including job costing, budgeting, cost tracking, and financial reporting.
• Review and reconcile project invoices, purchase orders, subcontractor payments, change orders, and related documentation.
• Prepare project cost reports, budget forecasts, variance analyses, and financial summaries for management review.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditures to identify cost overruns, savings opportunities, and financial risks.
• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and finance teams to ensure accurate cost allocation and revenue recognition.
• Support audits, month‑end close, and financial statement preparation by providing accurate project records and cost analyses.

Compensation and Benefits

• Salary range: $75,000 to $93,000 per year.
• Job type: Direct hire.
• Location: Costa Mesa, CA.

Required Qualifications and Skills

• Manage project accounting activities for active construction projects.
• Track job costs, budgets, invoices, purchase orders, subcontractor payments, and change orders.
• Prepare financial reports, forecasts, variance analyses, and project accounting documentation.
• Partner with project managers and internal teams to support accurate financial decision‑making.
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• 3 to 5 years of accounting experience required, preferably in construction or another project‑based environment.
• Strong knowledge of job costing, project budgeting, cost tracking, reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Proficiency with accounting software such as Sage, Viewpoint, Procore, or similar platforms.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills for reporting, analysis, reconciliations, and data management.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify trends, resolve discrepancies, and provide actionable insights.
• High attention to detail and accuracy when maintaining financial records and preparing reports.
• Excellent communication skills for working with project managers, finance, procurement, and leadership.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and complex accounting data.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or equivalent certification preferred.
• Prior construction accounting experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with Sage, Viewpoint, Procore, or similar construction accounting and project management systems preferred.
• Familiarity with construction accounting controls, compliance requirements, and industry best practices preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

The Know Your Rights poster is available here: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12.pdf

The pay transparency policy is available here: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/ofccp/pdf/pay-transp_%20English_formattedESQA508c.pdf

For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program. https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.