Project Accountant

The Hill Group; Franklin Park (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Hill Group in Franklin Park, IL is seeking a Project Accountant to oversee project billing, collections, and cost control in a construction environment. You will collaborate with project managers and engineers to ensure accurate profitability analysis and timely invoicing.

The role requires attention to detail, strong communication, and solid knowledge of construction accounting practices. Experience with AIA billings is preferred; a Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business is favored.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or college coursework in accounting or business preferred.
• Experience with AIA billings in a construction environment preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of standard contract, subcontract and purchase order terms and their effect on project costs.
• Thorough knowledge of construction accounting terms, processes and procedures.
• Strong written and verbal communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project billing and collections for multiple projects and liaison with project managers.
• Prepare monthly invoice packages including cost-plus billings and supporting backups.
• Send final invoices and waivers to customers and follow up on payment.
• Collaborate with Project Team to maximize monthly billing and analyze profitability.
• Maintain billing folders with documents like pay apps, waivers, and payroll reports.
• Assist with cost controls, ad hoc reports, and cash flow projections.

Skills

AIA billings

Construction accounting

Data analysis

Attention to detail

Communication

Independence

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree or college coursework in accounting/business

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

Outlook

Job description

General Job Description:

The Project Accountant plays a pivotal role in overseeing the project billing & collection process, as well as reviewing costs and gross profit on each project. This role interacts heavily with internal project managers and project engineers, and the client/general contractor/construction manager/owner. The project accountant is a key member of the construction team, contributing significantly to the financial success of each project.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Project Accountant performs a variety of accounting functions in an accounting department to include the following:

• Effectively communicate with Project Team regarding contract documents, change orders and other contract modifications, approvals, and any additional services-relatedto billing.
• Prepare monthly invoice package containing draft and final invoices for projects, particularly cost plus billings including all applicable expense backup.
• Send final invoices and waivers to the customer & follow up on client approval / payment.
• Assess and pursue opportunities for maximization of client billing; communicate with the Project Team, as to your observations and actions taken.
• Collaborate with Project Team to maximize monthly billing amounts.
• Maintain the billing folders for all projects with all the appropriate documents, including pay applications, waivers, certified payroll reports, vendor invoices, etc. in accordance with standard procedures.
• Generate and analyze ad hoc receivables reports and job profitability reports.
• Assist with the development and implementation of project cost controls.
• Manage/prepare subcontract waivers process.
• Manage certified payroll process on jobs where required.
• Recommend, assist with development and implement agreed process improvements to the billing cost control and billing processes.
• Prepare special project analyses for the Project Team and others.
• Participate in monthly and quarterly project review meetings with CFO, Controller, VP of Construction Operations, and Project Leaders.
• Assist with monthly Cash Flow projections

REQUIRED SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE:

• Bachelor’s Degree or some college courses in accounting or business preferred.
• Experience with AIA billings in a construction environment preferred.
• Thorough knowledge of standard contract, subcontract and purchase order terms, and how they are affected by and/or applied to the project cost control process.
• Thorough knowledge of Construction Accounting terms, processes and procedures.
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations and respond to changes in priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills.
• Strong accounting audit skills including data analysis, critical thinking and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through to completion.
• Competency in Microsoft applications including Word, Excel and Outlook.