Project Accountant

JLG Architects; Grand Forks (ND); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

JLG Architects in Grand Forks, ND is seeking a Project Accountant to manage financials across project lifecycles, partnering with project managers to monitor budgets and billing. You will maintain project documents, track unbilled fees and WIP, and support firmwide financial reporting while ensuring contract compliance and data integrity.

The ideal candidate has 3+ years in project accounting, strong Excel skills, ERP experience (Unanet preferred), and attention to detail in a fast-paced

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related discipline, or equivalent combination.
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience in accounting, book keeping, and/or project management.
• Proficient understanding of general accounting principles and processes.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, specifically Word and Excel.
• Strong integrity, accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Proficient understanding of financial data analysis.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in ERP systems, Unanet preferred.
• Project-based accounting or billing experience preferred.
• Prior Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) industry experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Management at project startup to capture project budgets, resource structures, cost codes, and related accounting setup requirements.
• Monitor and analyze project financial performance, including labor hours, expenses, utilization, and profitability, throughout project lifecycles to ensure accurate timely reporting and budget adherence.
• Maintain detailed project financial documentation, including contracts and change orders, to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Prepare regular project operating reports to communicate billing goals, revenue targets, and financial performance.
• Review and monitor project cost entry activity, including labor, expenses and consultant costs to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Monitor unbilled fees, work-in-progress, and accounts receivable balances.
• Manage the invoicing process for assigned projects, ensuring client invoices are accurate, timely, and aligned with contractual terms and project financial data.
• Support firmwide financial reporting.
• All other duties as assigned.

Skills

Project accounting

Budgeting

Financial reporting

MS Excel

Integrity & confidentiality

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting/finance related field

Tools

Unanet

Job description

Summary: The Project Accountant is responsible for the financial administration of projects across their full lifecycle. This role is the key financial representative for project teams, partnering closely with project managers to monitor budgets, manage billing, and maintain compliance with contract terms.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Management at project startup to capture project budgets, resource structures, cost codes, and related accounting setup requirements.
• Monitor and analyze project financial performance, including labor hours, expenses, utilization, and profitability, throughout project lifecycles to ensure accurate timely reporting and budget adherence.
• Maintain detailed project financial documentation, including contracts and change orders, to ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Prepare regular project operating reports to communicate billing goals, revenue targets, and financial performance.
• Review and monitor project cost entry activity, including labor, expenses and consultant costs to ensure timely and accurate financial reporting.
• Monitor unbilled fees, work-in-progress, and accounts receivable balances.
• Manage the invoicing process for assigned projects, ensuring client invoices are accurate, timely, and aligned with contractual terms and project financial data.
• Support firmwide financial reporting.
• All other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business administration or related discipline, or an equivalent combination of an Associate’s degree and/or relevant experience.
• 3+ years of demonstrated experience in accounting, book keeping, and/or project management.
• Proficient understanding of general accounting principles and processes.
• Advanced proficiency in MS Office, specifically Word and Excel.
• Strong ability to maintain a high level of integrity, accuracy, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational, and time-management skills.
• Proficient understanding of financial data analysis.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in ERP systems, Unanet preferred.
• Project-based accounting or billing experience preferred.
• Prior Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) industry experience preferred.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.