Project Accountant

McGough; Rochester (MN); On-site; USD 77,000 - 96,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance coverage

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Job summary

McGough in Rochester, MN is seeking a Project Accountant to manage day‑to‑day accounting for assigned construction projects, delivering accurate financial reporting and guidance to project teams.

You will review contracts, coordinate with procurement and operations, oversee billings and reconciliations, and support audits while aligning with GAAP and company policies. The role requires collaboration, integrity, and the ability to work under deadlines.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• 2+ years of Accounting/Finance experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business preferred.
• Construction industry experience preferred.
• 4-7 years of Accounting/Finance experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret project contracts to ensure compliance with financial terms.
• Evaluate project costs for accuracy and proper allocation.
• Provide financial analysis including forecasting and cash flow management.
• Manage project billings and reconciliations, ensuring timeliness and accuracy.
• Support audits with reconciliations and reports; ensure GAAP/IFRS compliance.
• Oversee project closeout processes and CMiC-based reporting.
• Educate subcontractors on lien waiver requirements.

Skills

Attention to detail

Prioritization

Problem solving

Accounting basics

Documentation

Research skills

Communication

Excel

Team player

Independent work

Integrity

Relationship building

CMiC

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business

Construction Industry experience

Tools

CMiC

Job description

The Project Accountant is responsible for working collaboratively with project team to deliver accurate and timely financial reporting, analysis, and guidance for assigned construction projects, while ensuring initial level of compliance and check/balances for oversight of project-specific financial transactions. He/she is responsible for all facets of the day‑to‑day accounting for the specific project from pre‑construction to post‑construction. This role serves as a key partner to project teams, providing oversight for project financial transactions and ensuring compliance with company policies, contractual requirements, and accounting standards.

The Project Accountant exercises independent judgment and discretion in reviewing, approving, and interpreting financial data, resolving complex accounting issues, and advising project managers on financial decision-making. This position requires a high degree of analytical skill, professional expertise, and accountability

Qualifications

Required

• High school diploma or GED required
• 2+ years of Accounting/Finance experience

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business
• Construction Industry experience
• 4-7 years of Accounting/Finance experience

Skills

• Attention to detail and high level of accuracy
• Ability to organize and prioritize responsibilities
• Strong problem‑solving skills, basic accounting principles knowledge, documentation skills, research and resolution skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Proficiency in Microsoft applications, especially with Excel
• Ability to function as an integral team member, working under time constraints and meeting deadlines in a changing environment
• Ability to take initiative and work independently with minimal supervision
• Embodies personal integrity and keeps confidences
• View every interaction as an opportunity to add value and enhance relationships

Core Responsibilities

Project Accounting

• Review and interpret project contracts to ensure compliance with all financial terms, including billing rates, retention, and cost controls. Collaborate with Project Managers to confirm the accuracy of equipment pre‑bill reports and work closely with Procurement, Operations, and Human Resources to maintain accurate data flow and consistent project reporting.
• Evaluate project costs to ensure accuracy and proper allocation. Identify and correct any misapplied charges, and use sound judgment to approve, revise, or reject vendor and subcontractor billings in accordance with contract requirements and company policy.
• Provide financial analysis and insights to project teams, including forecasting, variance reporting, and cash flow management. Advise Project Managers on budget performance, cost trends, and financial risks.
• Manage project billings and reconciliations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with contract and accounting standards. Monitor customer and subcontractor contract values, providing proactive financial guidance to support project objectives.
• Support internal and external audits through preparation of reconciliations, documentation, and detailed financial reports. Ensure compliance with GAAP or IFRS standards, applicable tax laws (including sales/use tax), and local regulatory requirements.
• Oversee project closeout processes, ensuring all documentation is accurate, complete, and finalized in accordance with established procedures and timelines.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in CMiC (or equivalent ERP system) to support efficient and accurate project financial management.
• Educate and advise subcontractors on lien waiver requirements across all applicable tiers (I–IV), ensuring compliance and protecting company interests.

Administrative Accounting

• Prepare and post journal entries, ensuring accuracy and compliance with GAAP and company accounting policies.
• Manage and track change orders and lien waivers, maintaining compliance with all subcontractor tiers (I–IV) and contractual requirements.
• Verify, code, and process invoices accurately and on schedule to support timely financial reporting across assigned projects.
• Collaborate across organization to ensure data integrity, resolve discrepancies, and maintain consistency across systems and reports.
• Monitor and process all project costs promptly to ensure accurate and up‑to‑date financial records.

Communication With Project Management Team & Other Stakeholders

• Verifying for approval of the coding and process of subcontractor and supplier invoices timely
• Review equipment pre‑bill reports and work with the Project Manager to ensure accuracy
• Review non‑billable costs with the Project Manager to see if any can be billed
• Follow up on customer invoices over 45 days and document issues/comments in CMiC

Other Duties

• Actively contribute as a member of the Project Accounting Team, collaborating to support shared goals and objectives
• Engage in business development by building and maintaining strong relationships with clients, design teams, consultants, and subcontractors, and participating in industry and McGough-sponsored events
• Represent McGough professionally at all events, upholding company standards and serving as a positive ambassador
• Attend company and project meetings, pursuing ongoing personal and professional development to enhance skills and performance
• Collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders to ensure cohesive project execution
• Actively support and participate in Lean events, promoting the McGough Way and fostering a culture of continuous improvement
• Perform additional duties as assigned to support the team and project success
• Other duties as assigned

OFFICE AND TRAVEL

Works in corporate office with periodic regional travel.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands outlined here are representative of those required for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

This position requires prolonged periods of sitting at a workstation or during meetings and travel (by plane or car). The employee must be able to lift up to 20 pounds as needed, demonstrate dexterity to write and use a computer keyboard and mouse, and possess the ability to hear, speak clearly, and distinguish colors on graphs and charts.

The role also requires occasional visits to construction sites, where the employee may be exposed to dust, dirt, uneven surfaces, outdoor weather conditions, and extreme temperatures.

In alignment with our commitment to pay transparency, the base salary range for this position is $77,000 to $96,000, excluding fringe benefits or potential bonuses. If you join McGough, your final base salary will be determined by several factors, including geography, location, skills, education, and experience. Furthermore, we place significant value on pay equity among our current team members as part of any final job offer.

This includes insurance coverage for medical, dental, vision, life, and disability. We also provide generous retirement plans, voluntary benefit plans, parental leave, substantial paid time off, and holiday pay.

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