Senior Project Accountant

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

McMillan Pazdan Smith Architecture is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to own the billing cycle, collaborating with project managers on labor efficiency, budgets, and schedules while supporting the Director of Finance. You will manage client billings, project data, and profitability analyses to ensure accurate, timely financial information.

The role emphasizes cross‑functional communication, meticulous data handling, and adherence to accounting principles within a dynamic AE environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in accounting, finance, or related field.
• Five to Ten Years in a project accounting role, preferably in the AE industry.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
• Working knowledge of manual and automated accounting systems
• Superior numeric skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to effectively and confidently prioritize and execute tasks with many competing priorities
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Ability to provide excellent customer service (internally and externally)
• Strong attention to detail
• Exceptional organizational and follow‑through skills
• Ability to manage information with a high level of detail and accuracy
• Self‑motivated and ability to work independently
• Proven ability to assess factors, make, and communicate decisions
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity

Responsibilities

• Manage monthly billing process for multiple offices/studios
• Produce monthly bills
• Gather pertinent information from proposals and contracts
• Enter consultant costs into accounting system
• Perform labor transfers as requested
• Confirm fee structure/arrangement for individual projects
• Generate pre-bill binders for project managers’ review
• Prepare client billings for payment
• Manage project information in accounting system, such as budget and contracts
• Review accounts payable entries for consultants
• Support project managers and management through report generation and analyses
• Generate profitability reports by project
• Produce unbilled detail reports
• Prepare schedules for clients as needed
• Prepare analyses for consultant billings and budgets as requested
• Assist consultants with past due amounts and expedite payments as requested
• Provide labor analyses for projects by request
• Investigate hours not posted to a specific project and reallocate as necessary
• Manage accounts receivables/collections for projects. Follow up with clients as needed and work with Project Manager on receivables as needed
• Works with segment managers on forecasting future billings and profitability
• Bring inconsistencies, problems and recommendations to the Director of Finance’s attention

Skills

Time management

Attention to detail

Communication

Analytical thinking

Customer service

Education

Bachelor of Science in accounting, finance, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Outlook

Excel

Bluebeam PDF Revu

Deltek Vision

Job description

Description

The Senior Project Accountant manages the billing cycle for projects and works closely with project managers to provide information regarding labor efficiency, budgets, and billing schedules and accounts receivables. He/she provides general support to the Director of Finance and accounting function.

Essential Functions

• Manage monthly billing process for multiple offices/studios
• Produce monthly bills.
• Gather pertinent information from proposals and contracts.
• Enter consultant costs into accounting system.
• Perform labor transfers as requested.
• Confirm fee structure/arrangement for individual projects.
• Generate pre-bill binders for project managers’ review.
• Prepare client billings for payment.
• Manage project information in accounting system, such as budget and contracts.
• Review accounts payable entries for consultants.
• Support project managers and management through report generation and analyses.
• Generate profitability reports by project.
• Produce unbilled detail reports.
• Prepare schedules for clients as needed.
• Prepare analyses for consultant billings and budgets as requested.
• Assist consultants with past due amounts and expedite payments as requested.
• Provide labor analyses for projects by request.
• Investigate hours not posted to a specific project and reallocate as necessary.
• Manage accounts receivables/collections for projects. Follow up with clients as needed and work with Project Manager on receivables as needed.
• Works with segment managers on forecasting future billings and profitability.
• Bring inconsistencies, problems and recommendations to the Director of Finance’s attention.

Additional Responsibilities

• Keep abreast of current trends and practices in the accounting field.
• Perform other duties as directed.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in accounting, finance, or related field
• Five to Ten Years in a project accounting role, preferably in the AE industry
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook and Excel software
• Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
• Working knowledge of manual and automated accounting systems
• Superior numeric skills
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to effectively and confidently prioritize and execute tasks with many competing priorities
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Good analytical and problem‑solving abilities
• Ability to provide excellent customer service (internally and externally)
• Strong attention to detail
• Exceptional organizational and follow‑through skills
• Ability to manage information with a high level of detail and accuracy
• Self‑motivated and ability to work independently
• Proven ability to assess factors, make, and communicate decisions
• Demonstrated cultural awareness and sensitivity

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in an architectural, engineering, or construction firm
• Experience with Bluebeam PDF Revu
• Experience with Deltek Vision software