Senior Government Accounting: Cost, Billing & Audits

Kearney Italia, Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 118,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Paid sick leave

401(k) match

Profit sharing

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Home office stipend

Gym membership

Job summary

Kearney, a leading global management consulting firm, is seeking a Senior Accountant in Government Accounting to support contract cost accounting, billing, and indirect rate planning from our Washington, DC office. The role emphasizes compliance with FAR Part 31 and CAS, with close collaboration across controllers, auditors, and project leads.

You will manage invoicing, revenue recognition, WIP, and month-end close activities, while coordinating audits and ensuring strong internal controls.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field; 4–6 years of government contracts accounting experience.
• CPA or equivalent is typical for this rank.
• Working knowledge of FAR Part 31, DFARS, and CAS as applicable, with experience in indirect rates, incurred cost submissions, cost-type billing, and government audits.
• Experience with Unanet, DataBasics, Concur, IEM and the Microsoft Office Suite, and a government contracting accounting system; Unanet experience preferred.
• Demonstrated accuracy, attention to detail, analytical skill, adaptability, and flexibility.
• Strong written and verbal communication, including explaining cost and billing matters to project leads, partners, and auditors.

Responsibilities

• Government Contract Cost Accounting and Compliance (approximately 25%): Apply FAR Part 31 and CAS, escalating interpretive questions to the Controller and Government Contracts Manager.
• Review labor, expense, subcontractor, and vendor costs for proper classification and allowability; lead unallowable cost reviews and corrective actions.
• Monitor timekeeping, contract funding, ceilings, and periods of performance; alert the Controller and project leads before cost or funding thresholds are reached.
• Billing, Revenue, and WIP/AR Analysis (approximately 20%): Prepare and review invoices and public vouchers, including rate application, cumulative and ceiling tracking, and supporting documentation.
• Review contract revenue recognition, unbilled revenue (WIP), and accounts receivable aging; follow up on collections and resolve billing disputes and rejections.
• Verify billing rates and labor category setup against contract terms.
• Indirect Rates, Reporting, Forecasting, and Planning (approximately 15%): Develop and monitor provisional billing and indirect rates, recommending adjustments as cost and base trends change.
• Prepare monthly contract profitability, funding, backlog, and indirect rate reports for the Controller and Chief Administrative Officer.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and planning, including rate inputs for proposals and pricing.
• Audit and Accounting System Readiness (approximately 15%): Lead the annual incurred cost submission and respond to auditor and contracting officer inquiries.
• Coordinate DCAA, DCMA, customer, and external financial statement audits, tracking findings through corrective action.
• Maintain accounting procedures, controls, and documentation to support pre-award accounting system survey requirements, including separation of duties and review evidence.
• Other Responsibilities: Prepare and review journal entries and reconciliations, including accruals, unbilled and deferred revenue, and indirect cost pools and allocations.
• Review Staff Accountant reconciliations, including accounts payable aging, and resolve comments before Controller review.
• Complete assigned monthly close activities and support year-end close, financial statement preparation, and tax compliance.
• Serve as the primary finance contact for the Government Contracts Manager and project leads on billing, funding, and rates; support contract setup, modifications, closeout, and final billing.

Skills

Government contracts accounting

FAR Part 31 knowledge

CAS knowledge

Analytical skills

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting/finance

CPA or equivalent

Tools

Unanet

DataBasics

Concur

IEM

Microsoft Office

Job description

Kearney, a leading global management consulting firm, is seeking a Senior Accountant in Government Accounting to support contract cost accounting, billing, and indirect rate planning from our Washington, DC office. The role emphasizes compliance with FAR Part 31 and CAS, with close collaboration across controllers, auditors, and project leads.

You will manage invoicing, revenue recognition, WIP, and month-end close activities, while coordinating audits and ensuring strong internal controls.