Project Accounting Manager

BW Design Group; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

BW Design Group is seeking a Project Accounting Manager to lead a team of project accountants, ensuring accurate revenue recognition, forecasting, billing, and compliance. You will drive monthly close, audits, and cross-functional collaboration with Finance and IT on system needs.

The candidate brings 8–14 years of financial experience, a Bachelor’s degree (CPA preferred), and willingness to travel 10–15%. This role offers growth in a collaborative, client-focused environment within a national

Qualifications

• The ideal candidate has 8-14 years of relevant financial experience.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration is strongly preferred; CPA is preferred.
• Ability to travel 10-15% to support remote teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop a team of Project Accountants to ensure financial integrity of data.
• Lead monthly team project review meetings and provide reports on project A/R & cash, risks & opportunities, and WIP analysis.
• Oversee month-end closing processes, time & expense oversight, and variance communication.
• Conduct monthly project audits and implement controls as needed.
• Collaborate with Finance leadership to review significant client proposals and project backlogs.
• Support ERP implementation planning, testing, and adoption initiatives.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Budgeting

Team management

Cross-functional collaboration

ERP systems

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting/Finance/Business Administration

CPA certification preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Finance software

Job description

Location: This role is based in our Roseville, CA office and requires relocation to the Roseville, CA area. Candidates must be willing to relocate to be considered.

Who You’ll Work With

You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world-class professional consultant and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment.

When you join Design Group as a Project Accounting Manager you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the world’s leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy.

What You'll Do

• Manage and develop a team of Project Accountants to ensure financial integrity of data including revenue recognition, project forecasting, billing, collections, and contract administration.
• Lead monthly team project review meetings and provide reports on project A/R & cash, risks & opportunities, and WIP analysis.
• Manage region month-end closing process which includes project reviews/financial oversight, time & expense oversight, invoice reviews, revenue/cost recognition, project reserve tracking, and communication of material variances from forecasts.
• Conduct monthly project audits to ensure proper financial control policies and guidelines are being followed, and implement additional controls and processes where needed.
• Provide ongoing communication to the Regional and Design Group Finance leadership teams regarding all significant project financial matters.
• Ensure contractual review of financial terms, estimates and fees on significant client proposals prior to entry onto our backlog. Participate in project reviews of our largest and most complex projects.
• Develop & maintain standards to manage team performance & capacity, and actively collaborate to ensure workloads are balanced in the firm.
• Establish regular cadence of communication with Project Accountants through monthly email updates, quarterly update presentations, and the Finance Communities of Practice webpage.
• Enhance and maintain standard training modules for Project Accountant and Project Accountant II roles, ensuring consistency across all regions and practices while incorporating best practices.
• Assist in developing career paths and guiding the Project Accounting team along their paths.
• Support cross-functional efforts to implement a new ERP system, contributing to planning, testing, and adoption initiatives
• Train new Project Accountants through standard training modules and by providing supporting training resources in the Regions and Practices.
• Improve and support standardized project financial training modules and onboarding for professionals new to the Project Manager role.
• Optimize and maintain standard tools and workbooks that support Project Accountants and Project Managers in the financial execution of projects
• Represent Project Accounting as the liaison between Finance & IT to ensure our financial system needs are prioritized and met. For new system needs, establish the appropriate requirements for the development team to effectively execute.
• Help ensure our financial processes are standardized and aligned across the firm, between Regions & Practices, utilizing best practices throughout.
• Collaborate with the Back-Office Accounting team regarding cash, A/R, A/P, and month-end close.
• Provide regular support to the Client Trust team on project financials.
• Serve as Project Accountant on 20-30 projects for hands-on testing & reviewing of project financial processes, tools, and system functionality. Support major integrated projects as needed.
• Provide year-end financial audit support.
  
  
  

What You'll Bring

• The ideal candidate will have between 8-14 years of relevant financial or accounting experience.
• A Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration is strongly preferred, but not required based on work experience. CPA certification is preferred.
• The ideal candidate should have strong accounting knowledge and demonstrated initiative with the commitment and ability to meet monthly deadlines.
• The ideal candidate will have knowledge of financial practices, principles, processes and systems, preferably in a corporate environment.
• The ideal candidate needs to have strong leadership capabilities, good inter-personal skills, work well with teams, and have strong organizational & communication skills.
• Ability to travel to support remote teams will be required (10-15%).
  
  
  

Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Project Accounting Manager, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world-class professional and a highly effective leader.

The approximate pay range for this position is $95,000-135,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position.