Project Accounting Administrator (51348)

Collins Engineers, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Collins Engineers, Inc. is seeking a Project Accounting Administrator in Chicago, IL. The role focuses on setting up new projects, processing sub-consultant invoices, and compiling backup for client billings within Deltek Vantagepoint.

You will handle high-volume data entry, assist project accountants, and support year-end close and audits. AEC experience and strong Excel proficiency are valued assets.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years in administrative accounting or clerical support; AEC experience preferred.
• Deltek Vantagepoint (or Vision) experience is highly desirable; strong Excel skills required.
• High school diploma or equivalent; an associate degree in accounting or business a plus.

Responsibilities

• Open and set up new projects in Deltek Vantagepoint based on contracts and proposals.
• Enter and reconcile sub-consultant invoices; monitor approvals and budgets.
• Prepare backup for monthly client billings and assist with billing packets.
• Maintain organized digital project folders and respond to vendor inquiries.
• Support year-end activities and project reporting as needed.

Skills

Data entry accuracy

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Administrative support

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associates degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Deltek Vantagepoint

Deltek Vision

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Job Details: Job Location: Illinois - Chicago, IL, Position Type: Full Time, Salary Range: $62000.00 - $72000.00Salary,

The Project Accounting Administrator provides critical clerical and administrative support to the project accounting team within our engineering design and consulting practices. Reporting directly to the Project Accounting Manager, this role serves as an operational catalyst: opening new projects, processing sub-consultant invoices, and compiling backup documentation required for monthly client billings. By owning high-volume data entry and administrative tasks in Deltek Vantagepoint, this position ensures seamless financial workflows across our engineering project lifecycles and frees up capacity for our core project accountants.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Project Setup & Maintenance

• Initialize and open new projects in Deltek Vantagepoint based on executed client contracts, fee structures, and proposal documents.
• Maintain project structural data in the system, ensuring accurate updates to work breakdown structures (WBS), billing rates, payment terms, and project manager (PM) assignments.
• Process project closure paperwork in Vantagepoint once deliverables are finalized, ensuring all remaining balances are properly reconciled.

Accounts Payable & Sub-consultant Tracking

• Receive, code, and enter sub-consultant invoices into Deltek Vantagepoint with high accuracy.
• Route sub-consultant invoices to Project Managers for technical approval and track approval velocity to ensure vendor compliance.
• Reconcile sub-consultant ledger balances against specific project budgets to monitor contract thresholds and avoid overruns.

Billing & Invoicing Support

• Retrieve and compile backup documentation (e.g., receipts, vendor invoices, timesheet details) required for complex client billing packets.
• Coordinate closely with the AP Specialist and Project Accountants to isolate and resolve billing discrepancies prior to monthly invoice distributions.
• Format draft invoices or draft progress billing templates in Vantagepoint based on instructions provided by the project accounting team.

Administrative & Miscellaneous Tasks

• Maintain digital project finance folders, ensuring strict organization of contracts, change orders, and sub-consultant agreements.
• Respond to routine internal inquiries regarding vendor invoice status, basic transaction histories, or project setup details.
• Support the accounting team during year-end preparation, financial audits, or miscellaneous project reporting initiatives.

Click HERE to see the variety of benefits that Collins has to offer.

Qualifications: Qualifications & Skills

• Experience: 1-3 years of experience in an administrative accounting, accounts payable, or clerical support role. Experience within an Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) firm is highly preferred.
• Software: Hands-on experience with Deltek Vantagepoint (or Deltek Vision) is highly desirable. High proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (specifically Excel) is required.
• Education: High school diploma or equivalent required; an Associates degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration is a plus.
• Competencies:
  • Exceptional attention to detail and accuracy in data entry.
  • Strong organizational skills to manage high volumes of project documentation.