Senior Accountant

Talentify; Hiawatha (IA); On-site; USD 53,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Aston Carter is seeking a Senior Accountant for a contract-to-hire role in Hiawatha, IA. The position focuses on core accounting operations, including month-end close, WIP reporting, and progress billing within a construction-centric environment.

Responsibilities include maintaining the general ledger, job costing, payroll compliance (including union payroll), and tax reporting. The candidate should have 5+ years of progressive accounting experience and strong Excel skills to drive analysis and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in accounting or related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Construction accounting experience strongly preferred, including job costing and WIP reporting.
• Experience with union payroll and construction job costing is highly desired.
• Advanced Excel and strong computer skills expected.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and oversee monthly financial statements, incl. reconciliations and month-end close.
• Maintain general ledger and ensure trial balance integrity.
• Manage job costing, WIP reporting, and project profitability analyses.
• Oversee AIA/progress billing, retainage, change orders, and related processes.
• Oversee payroll processing and compliance, including union payroll and related remittances.
• Ensure Davis-Bacon and state wage compliance when applicable.
• Lead budgeting/forecasting and ongoing financial performance analysis.
• Collaborate with project managers, operations, HR, and payroll to resolve issues.
• Provide clear financial reporting and insights for decisions.

Skills

Microsoft Excel

General ledger accounting

Month-end close

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Construction accounting

Union payroll

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

Tools

Foundation Software

Construction ERP systems

Job description

About this job

The Senior Accountant leads core accounting operations, including month-end close, work-in-progress (WIP) reporting, progress billing, union and certified payroll compliance, and tax reporting within a construction-focused environment. This role partners closely with project managers and leadership to deliver accurate financial statements and analysis, strengthen internal controls, and drive continuous process improvement. It is well-suited for a hands-on, detail-oriented professional with construction accounting experience who takes ownership, works independently, and provides meaningful financial insights to support business decisions.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and oversee timely and accurate monthly financial statements, including account reconciliations and full month-end close activities.
• Maintain the general ledger and ensure the accuracy and integrity of the trial balance.
• Manage construction accounting processes such as job costing, WIP reporting, over/under billings, committed costs, and project profitability analysis.
• Administer AIA and progress billing, including retainage, change orders, and related project accounting processes.
• Oversee accounting for accruals, prepaid expenses, fixed assets, and depreciation schedules.
• Develop and analyze cash flow forecasts and assist with cash management activities.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes and perform ongoing financial performance analysis.
• Oversee payroll processing and compliance, including union payroll, union benefit reporting, dues, fringes, and other required remittances.
• Ensure prevailing wage and certified payroll compliance when applicable, including Davis-Bacon and state prevailing wage requirements.
• Manage payroll tax filings, W-2s, 1099s, and other year-end reporting obligations.
• Handle sales and use tax compliance, including filings and related research across applicable jurisdictions.
• Track and reconcile intercompany transactions to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Maintain and improve internal accounting controls, procedures, and documentation.
• Review financial results to identify unusual activity, variances, errors, and opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate closely with project managers, operations, payroll, HR, and other departments to resolve accounting and operational issues.
• Provide management with clear, meaningful financial reporting and analysis to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Identify and implement opportunities to enhance accounting processes, reporting, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Independently take accounting and compliance issues from identification through research, resolution, documentation, and implementation.
• Perform other related accounting and finance duties as assigned.
• Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressively responsible accounting experience.
• Strong experience in general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, and month-end close processes.
• Proficiency with journal entries, accounts payable, financial statement preparation, and bank reconciliations.
• Construction accounting experience strongly preferred, including job costing and WIP reporting.
• Prior experience in a Senior-level accounting capacity such as Controller or Accounting Manager preferred.
• Experience with construction ERP or accounting systems, with Foundation Software experience preferred.
• Experience with union payroll and construction job costing strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and strong overall computer skills.
• Ability to analyze financial information, identify discrepancies, and independently research and resolve issues.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, interpret, and clearly communicate instructions and financial information.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and recurring deadlines while remaining organized.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound professional judgment.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial performance analysis in a construction or project-based environment.
• Background in union benefit reporting, dues, fringes, and related remittances.
• Knowledge of prevailing wage requirements, including Davis-Bacon and state-specific regulations.
• Familiarity with sales and use tax compliance and multi-jurisdictional filings.
• Experience improving internal controls, accounting procedures, and documentation.
• Proven track record of partnering with cross-functional teams such as operations, payroll, and HR to resolve complex issues.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a focus on process improvement, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Comfort working independently, taking ownership of issues from identification through implementation of solutions.

The role operates in a small office environment within a construction-focused business. You work closely with project managers, operations, payroll, and HR, using construction ERP or accounting systems and advanced Microsoft Excel on a daily basis. The setting supports independent, focused work as well as regular collaboration with other departments, and requires occasional handling of physical documents and files, including the ability to lift up to 20 pounds.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Hiawatha, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $48.07/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 4, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Hiawatha,IA.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.