Senior Project Accountant

PremiStar; Buford (GA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

PremiStar is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to manage project accounting, forecasting, WIP analysis, revenue recognition, cash flow and month-end close. You will partner with Project Managers and Operations to ensure profitability and GAAP compliance.

In this role you will lead project reviews, validate forecasts and EAC, monitor risk, and support startup through closeout. Strong experience in POC, WIP, ERP systems, and advanced Excel are essential, along with effective communication in a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 2-5 years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Experience in mechanical construction, HVAC, plumbing, industrial services, or other project-based industries strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting, WIP schedules, and project controls.
• Experience with ERP systems, job costing software, and financial reporting tools.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred.
• Financial analysis and forecasting.
• Project accounting expertise.
• Business partnering and influencing.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Process improvement mindset.
• Attention to detail and problem solving.
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced construction environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly project review meetings with Project Managers and Operations leadership.
• Analyze project performance, including contract value, gross margin, labor productivity, change orders, and cash flow.
• Review and validate project forecasts, estimate-at-completion (EAC), and backlog reporting.
• Monitor underperforming projects and provide recommendations to mitigate risk and improve profitability.
• Support project startup, handoff, execution, and closeout processes.
• Oversee Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules and percentage-of-completion (POC) revenue recognition.
• Assist with month-end close activities, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Analyze financial results and explain variances to budget, forecast, and prior periods.

Skills

Project accounting

Forecasting

WIP analysis

Revenue recognition

Financial reporting

Cross-functional collaboration

Advanced Excel

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job costing software

Financial reporting tools

Advanced Excel

Job description

Reports To: BU - Controller
Direct Reports: N/A
This role is responsible for project accounting, forecasting, work-in-progress (WIP) analysis, revenue recognition, cash flow management, and operational reporting and month-end close activities. The Senior Project Accountant works closely with Project Managers, Operations Leaders, and Accounting to ensure project profitability, financial accuracy, and compliance with company policies.

Project Financial Management

• Lead monthly project review meetings with Project Managers and Operations leadership.
• Analyze project performance, including contract value, gross margin, labor productivity, change orders, and cash flow.
• Review and validate project forecasts, estimate-at-completion (EAC), and backlog reporting.
• Monitor underperforming projects and provide recommendations to mitigate risk and improve profitability.
• Support project startup, handoff, execution, and closeout processes.

Accounting & Reporting

• Oversee Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules and percentage-of-completion (POC) revenue recognition.
• Review project cost coding, job cost accuracy, and labor allocations.
• Assist with month-end close activities, account reconciliations, and financial statement preparation.
• Analyze financial results and explain variances to budget, forecast, and prior periods.

Forecasting & Business Planning

• Partner with Operations to develop forecasts and budgets.
• Provide insight into backlog realization, labor utilization, equipment costs, and project profitability trends.
• Support net working capital management through oversight of billings, collections, retainage, and cash forecasting.

Internal Controls & Process Improvement

• Ensure compliance with company accounting policies, internal controls, and GAAP requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement in project controls, job costing, and financial reporting processes.
• Assist with audits, process documentation, and ERP system enhancements.

Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary finance partner for Project Managers and Operations leadership.
• Provide training and guidance on financial performance metrics and project accounting best practices.
• Deliver actionable insights to improve project execution, margin performance, and cash conversion.

Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 2-5 years of progressive accounting or finance experience.
• Experience in mechanical construction, HVAC, plumbing, industrial services, or other project-based industries strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting, WIP schedules, and project controls.
• Experience with ERP systems, job costing software, and financial reporting tools.
• Advanced Excel and financial analysis skills.
• CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
• Financial analysis and forecasting
• Project accounting expertise
• Business partnering and influencing
• Strong communication and presentation skills
• Process improvement mindset
• Attention to detail and problem solving
• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced construction environment
• This is a primarily sedentary role that often involves prolonged periods of sitting while using a computer and office equipment.
• Reaching for supplies, documents, and equipment above or below shoulder level may be required.
• Lifting objects up to 50 pounds may be required.

This job operates in both an office and a field environment. Must be able to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time.

Reasonable accommodation will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions unless doing so presents an undue hardship on the Company’s business operations.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Employees understand the above job description and agree to comply with and be subject to its conditions. Employee further agrees this job description does not alter his/her at-will employment status. Employees understand the Company reserves the right to delegate, remove, expand or change all responsibilities. Employees acknowledge that he/she can fulfill the above duties with or without reasonable accommodation.