Project Accountant, Aviation MRO

PHI Aviation, LLC; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

PHI Aviation, LLC is seeking a Project Accountant to provide financial oversight of aircraft maintenance projects and customer work orders within our MRO operations in Lafayette, LA. You will partner with Maintenance Operations, Production Planning, Supply Chain, and Program Management to monitor costs and support accurate customer billing.

The role involves forecasting, EAC reporting, month-end close, and developing dashboards and KPI metrics for management review.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CMA or MBA preferred.
• 3+ years of accounting or financial analysis experience.
• Experience in an aviation MRO environment a plus.
• Knowledge of aviation maintenance processes and billing a plus.
• Advanced Excel skills including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, modeling.

Responsibilities

• Monitor financial performance of assigned aircraft maintenance projects and customer work orders.
• Track labor, materials, subcontractor expenses, and outside vendor costs.
• Analyze project profitability and identify cost overruns and financial risks.
• Support customer invoicing and ensure billings align with contract terms.
• Prepare project forecasts and estimate-at-completion reporting.
• Develop financial reports, dashboards, and KPI metrics for management review.

Skills

GAAP knowledge

Project accounting

Advanced Excel

ERP systems

Power BI/Tableau

Education

Bachelor's in Accounting

CPA/CMA/MBA preferred

Tools

ERP modules

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Project Accountant is responsible for the financial oversight of aircraft maintenance projects and customer work orders within the MRO operation. This position partners closely with Maintenance Operations, Production Planning, Supply Chain, and Program Management to monitor project costs, support accurate customer billing, analyze profitability, and ensure timely financial reporting. The role serves as a key business partner by providing financial insight into maintenance events, aircraft modification programs, and other customer-driven projects.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Monitor financial performance of assigned aircraft maintenance projects and customer work orders.
• Track labor, materials, subcontractor expenses, and outside vendor costs against approved estimates and budgets.
• Analyze project profitability and identify cost overruns, schedule impacts, and financial risks.
• Support customer invoicing and ensure billings align with contract terms and completed work.
• Prepare project forecasts and estimate-at-completion (EAC) reporting.
• Review and reconcile work order transactions and project costs within the ERP system.
• Partner with maintenance managers and project managers to improve cost visibility and project performance.
• Perform month-end close activities related to maintenance projects, including accruals, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Develop financial reports, dashboards, and KPI metrics for management review.
• Assist with revenue recognition and compliance with accounting policies and contractual requirements.
• Support audits and provide project-related financial documentation as needed.
• Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency, cost control, and reporting accuracy.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• CPA, CMA or MBA preferred.
• 3+ years of accounting or financial analysis experience.
• Experience in an aviation MRO environment a plus.
• Knowledge of aircraft heavy maintenance checks, modifications, component repairs and maintenance work orders a plus.
• Experience supporting project-based operations, preferably in aviation, aerospace, manufacturing, maintenance, or industrial services.
• Experience with labor utilization analysis and maintenance productivity reporting a plus.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and project accounting principles.
• Familiarity with aviation regulatory environments and customer contract billing a plus.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including Pivot Tables, XLOOKUP, financial modeling, and data analysis.
• Experience with ERP systems and project costing modules.
• Experience with Power BI, Tableau, or similar reporting tools a plus.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to communicate effectively with both finance and operational teams.

ORGANIZATIONAL CORE VALUES

• Safe - We are absolute in our belief in the tenets of Destination Zero and that Zero is not only achievable, but the only acceptable outcome.
• Efficient - We are focused on outcomes that are smart and responsible by making the best use of our resources to maximize overall productivity as a high performing organization.
• Quality - We are committed to ensuring excellent organizational performance, which produces sustainable and reliable outcomes.
• Service - We are dedicated to the service of our customers, our communities and each other.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Drive & Energy - Effective performers have a high level of energy and the motivation to sustain it over time. They are ambitious and passionate about their role in the organization. They have the stamina and endurance to handle the substantial workload present in today’s organization. They are motivated to maintain a fast pace and continue to produce even in exhausting circumstances.
• Functional/Technical Expertise - Effective performers are knowledgeable and skilled in a functional specialty (e.g., finance, marketing, operations, information technologies, human resources, etc.). They add organizational value through unique expertise in a functional specialty area. They remain current in their area of expertise and serve as a resource in that area for the organization.
• High Standards - Effective performers establish and model standards that guarantee exceptional quality and necessary attention to detail. They continually seek to improve processes and products, and they hold staff accountable for quality. They find best practices, share them, and then improve upon them.
• Initiative - Effective performers are proactive and act without being prompted. They don’t wait to be told what to do or when to do it. They see a need, take responsibility and act on it. They make things happen.
• Integrity - Effective performers think and act ethically and honestly. They apply ethical standards of behavior to daily work activities. They take responsibility for their actions and foster a work environment where integrity is rewarded.

HSEQ DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Understand and provide visible support of Destination Zero Practice job duties with Safety at the core of all tasks. A job is not complete unless it is done safely. Stand-Up, Speak-Out, and Take-Action - Do the right thing when no one is looking, report safety concerns, near misses and incidents to management, use the Stop Work authority to immediately stop unsafe acts or work practices.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.
• The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or feel, and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• The special vision abilities for this job are close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to a moderate noise level.

AMR DISCLAIMER

AMR DISCLAIMER The above Statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed, as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

EEO STATEMENT

PHI Aviation, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

COMPANY HISTORY

At PHI, we believe talented people only reach their full potential when they’re a part of an exceptional team. That’s why we strive to bring together the most talented, passionate professionals and empower them to drive the future of the helicopter industry. Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional or transitioning from military to civilian life, explore our current opportunities and apply for the openings that suit you best. PHI was founded in 1949 with just three helicopters and seven employees. Now, with a global fleet of more than 200 helicopters spanning six continents, we have solidified our position as the leader in helicopter services. Known industry-wide for our relentless pursuit of innovative and customer-focused helicopter solutions, PHI Aviation takes on some of the most challenging assignments in aviation to transport approximately 400,000 passengers annually. Backed by a highly trained flight operations and maintenance crew, PHI Aviation provides passenger transport for offshore exploration, pipeline production platforms, ships and vessels and specialized search and rescue (SAR) services to customers worldwide.