Project Accountant & Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist

LHH; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work flexibility

Generous paid time off

Paid holidays

Wellness-focused benefits

Job summary

LHH Recruitment Solutions partnered with an established North County San Diego construction company to hire a Project Accountant & Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist. This role blends compliance with broader construction accounting duties across multiple projects.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in prevailing wage and construction accounting, with California wage compliance knowledge. Hybrid work with growth into other construction accounting areas is offered.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in prevailing wage/labor compliance, construction accounting, project accounting or a combination of these areas.
• Hands-on experience with California prevailing wage and public works projects strongly preferred.
• Experience reviewing certified payroll reports and monitoring subcontractor compliance.
• Understanding of wage determinations, employee classifications and related prevailing wage requirements.
• Project accounting, AP/AR or job cost accounting experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with construction accounting or compliance technology.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort learning new systems.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills with subcontractors, project managers and outside partners.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Hands-on, ownership mindset and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Manage prevailing wage and labor compliance across multiple construction projects.
• Oversee subcontractor compliance and ensure documentation is accurate and submitted on time.
• Review certified payroll reports for compliance with wage requirements.
• Communicate with subcontractors, project teams and outside partners to resolve discrepancies.
• Maintain organized compliance documentation and project records.
• Monitor deadlines and requirements related to public works projects.
• Partner with project managers and accounting team throughout project life cycle.
• Assist with project accounting functions including AP/AR, invoicing and job cost tracking.
• Support subcontractor documentation, project closeout and accounting activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and create greater efficiency across compliance and accounting.
• Take on additional accounting responsibilities based on experience and business needs.

Skills

Prevailing wage compliance

Construction accounting

Project accounting

AP/AR

Communication

Ownership

Tools

Excel

Job description

LHH Recruitment Solutions is partnering with an established and growing construction company in North County San Diego to hire a Project Accountant & Prevailing Wage Compliance Specialist.

This is a great opportunity for someone with strong prevailing wage and public works experience who also enjoys the accounting side of construction. While prevailing wage compliance will be an important part of the position, the role is intentionally broader and will have exposure to project accounting, AP/AR, job costing, subcontractor management and other accounting functions.

The ideal candidate is someone who understands prevailing wage inside and out but doesn't necessarily want to stay in a narrowly defined compliance role long term. There is an opportunity here to take ownership, improve processes and continue expanding into other areas of construction accounting.

What You'll Do

• Manage prevailing wage and labor compliance requirements across multiple construction projects.
• Oversee subcontractor compliance and ensure required documentation is accurate, complete and submitted on time.
• Review certified payroll reports and supporting documentation for compliance with applicable wage requirements.
• Communicate directly with subcontractors, project teams and outside partners to resolve discrepancies and outstanding items.
• Maintain organized compliance documentation and project records.
• Monitor deadlines and requirements related to public works projects.
• Partner closely with project managers and accounting team members throughout the life cycle of assigned projects.
• Assist with project accounting functions, including AP/AR, invoicing, payments, job cost tracking and reconciliations.
• Support subcontractor documentation, project closeout and other construction accounting activities.
• Help identify opportunities to improve processes and create greater efficiency across compliance and accounting.
• Take on additional accounting responsibilities based on experience, interest and business needs.

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years of relevant experience in prevailing wage/labor compliance, construction accounting, project accounting or a combination of these areas.
• Hands-on experience with California prevailing wage and public works projects strongly preferred.
• Experience reviewing certified payroll reports and monitoring subcontractor compliance.
• Understanding of wage determinations, employee classifications and related prevailing wage requirements.
• Project accounting, AP/AR or job cost accounting experience is highly desirable.
• Experience with construction accounting or compliance technology.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort learning new systems.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to professionally interact with subcontractors, project managers and outside partners.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Someone who enjoys being hands-on, taking ownership and finding better ways to do things.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

What makes this position unique is the opportunity to build on a prevailing wage background rather than being limited by it.

You’ll join an established construction organization with a healthy project pipeline and have the opportunity to become an important resource across both compliance and accounting. The company is specifically interested in someone who can bring additional skills to the table and grow their responsibilities over time.

The company offers a strong overall compensation and benefits package, including:

• Generous paid time off
• Paid company holidays
• Wellness-focused benefits
• Hybrid work flexibility for the right candidate

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

Military connected talent encouraged to apply

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please navigate to https://www.lhh.com/us/en/candidate-privacy

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers