Project Accountant

HED; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

HED is seeking a Project Accountant to partner with Project Managers and Finance leadership to ensure accurate project financial data and timely revenue recognition. You will monitor budgets, costs, and forecasts, analyze performance, and deliver insights to support informed business decisions.

The role involves multi-project management, adherence to GAAP, and collaboration with cross-functional teams to maintain budget integrity and drive continuous improvement in project accounting processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• CPA or progress toward CPA preferred
• 3+ years of accounting experience in a project-based professional services environment preferred
• Experience with Workday or a comparable ERP system preferred
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and revenue recognition principles
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail

Responsibilities

• Review project setup within the ERP system to verify contract terms, billing structures, project phases, budgets, and financial attributes
• Partner with Project Managers to develop, maintain, and update project budgets and forecasts
• Monitor labor, consultant, and reimbursable costs against budgets and forecasts
• Identify project financial variances, profitability trends, and potential risks while providing recommendations for corrective action
• Prepare and post project revenue recognition entries in accordance with GAAP
• Review work-in-progress (WIP), backlog, earned revenue, and project profitability reports
• Perform month-end close activities including project journal entries, reconciliations, WIP analysis, revenue reviews, and financial reporting
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc project financial reports and analyses for Project Managers and Finance leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Workday

Job description

Position Summary

The Project Accountant partners with Project Managers and Finance leadership to support the financial success of HED's projects throughout the project lifecycle. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate project financial information, monitoring budgets and costs, supporting revenue recognition, analyzing project performance, and providing meaningful financial insight that enables informed business decisions.

Working under general guidance, the Project Accountant manages multiple projects of moderate complexity while ensuring financial data is complete, accurate, and aligned with company policies, accounting standards, and project objectives.

Essential Functions

• Review project setup within the ERP system to verify contract terms, billing structures, project phases, budgets, and financial attributes
• Partner with Project Managers to develop, maintain, and update project budgets and forecasts
• Monitor labor, consultant, and reimbursable costs against budgets and forecasts
• Identify project financial variances, profitability trends, and potential risks while providing recommendations for corrective action
• Maintain project budget integrity and support financial planning activities
• Prepare and post project revenue recognition entries in accordance with GAAP
• Review work-in-progress (WIP), backlog, earned revenue, and project profitability reports
• Perform month-end close activities including project journal entries, reconciliations, WIP analysis, revenue reviews, and financial reporting
• Investigate and resolve project financial discrepancies in a timely manner
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc project financial reports and analyses for Project Managers and Finance leadership
• Recommend process improvements that enhance project accounting accuracy, efficiency, and reporting
• Maintain compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and internal controls
• Prepare and process client invoices based on project contracts, fee schedules, and billing terms
• Collaborate with Project Managers from project initiation to project close-out
• Validate project information in accounting system, including change orders and contract modifications

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required
• CPA or progress toward CPA preferred
• Three or more years of accounting experience in a project-based professional services environment preferred
• Experience with Workday or a comparable ERP system preferred
• Strong knowledge of GAAP and revenue recognition principles
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail

Key Competencies

• Financial Analysis & Reporting
• Business Partnership
• Budgeting & Forecasting
• Analytical Thinking
• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Communication & Collaboration
• Planning & Organization
• Accountability
• Continuous Improvement

Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to effectively communicate in writing and verbally via phone, video conferencing, and in person.
• Visual acuity sufficient to perform computer-based accounting responsibilities.

Work Environment

HED embraces a hybrid work model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the flexibility to work remotely while maintaining regular in-office collaboration. Work is performed in a professional office environment that supports both collaborative and independent work.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.