Senior Project Accountant

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

401(k) with company match

Health insurance

Life insurance and disability coverage

Flexible schedules

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Smith Seckman Reid, Inc is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to lead complex project accounting and billing, training Operations Accountants, and partnering with Project Managers to optimize billing and project financial performance.

You will drive process improvements and automation, deliver clear reports for leadership, and ensure accurate invoicing and timely revenue realization across multiple projects.

Qualifications

• Ten years of experience using accounting systems in professional services.
• Proficiency with MS Office (Excel and Outlook).
• Knowledge of cost and project accounting concepts.
• Organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple activities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex project accounting and billing, advising Operations Accountants.
• Prepare complex invoices and optimize billing with Project Managers.
• Champion process improvements and automation for finance workflows.
• Provide clear reports to help leaders make timely decisions.
• Train and mentor team members on project accounting practices.
• Support budget reviews and labor backlog closure.

Skills

Project accounting

Cost accounting principles

Analytical judgment

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

At SSR, we're more than a leading engineering design, consulting, and planning firm-we're a team of owners committed to solving complex projects and delivering innovative solutions for facility and infrastructure challenges. With locations across the U.S. and expertise spanning diverse markets and services, our collaborative approach empowers us to build lasting partnerships with each other, our clients, and our communities.

We believe high performance and a people-first culture go hand in hand. As an owner from day one, our colleagues thrive in an environment that values accountability, celebrates achievement, and supports personal and professional growth. As owners, we take pride in our work and in each other-driving results while fostering a workplace where everyone feels seen, supported, and inspired.

Want to hear directly from our team? Visit http://www.ssr-inc.com/life-at-ssr and explore our culture on LinkedIn and Instagram.

What You'll Do

As a Senior Project Accountant, you'll lead complex project accounting and billing-training and advising Operations Accountants, preparing complex invoices, and partnering with Project Managers to optimize billing, collections, and project financial performance. You'll champion process improvements and automation while providing clear reports that help leaders make timely decisions.

Senior Project Accountant responsibilities within role:

• Develops approach for complicated areas of project accounting such as:
  • Reviews and analyzes new client contracts to determine appropriate billing treatment
  • Enter budgets for projects with complex fee structures
  • Enter client- and project-specific billing and collections protocols and procedures
  • Develops complex billing rate schedules and partners with Project Managers to evaluate the reasonableness of employee billing rates
  • Reviews and approves new projects, complex invoices, and billing voids in BST for Project Accountants
  • Closes projects, including reviewing and resolving project work in process and labor backlog
  • Reviews month-end expense effort against revenue, investigates discrepancies, and corrects budgets when appropriate
• Advises and trains Project Accountants in the complex project accounting and billing matters
• Trains and partners with new Project Managers on project setup, billing, and the project management and cash management portal
• Partners with other Project Accounting team members to optimize processes and supports the development, testing, and execution of improvement plans through automation, enhanced workflows, and increased efficiency
• Supports Operations Accounting Analysts in identifying and investigating projects at risk of exceeding budget

Project Accountant responsibilities within role:

• Ensures complete and accurate project setup, including the following:
  • Reviews project setup documentation submitted by Project Managers for accuracy and completeness
  • Reviews contracts and proposals for billing terms and rate schedules
  • Enters project budgets and billing information into the accounting system
  • Updates project records to reflect changes in fees, multipliers, annual statutory overhead rates, and other relevant terms
• Ensures the timely preparation and delivery of accurate, complete client invoices in accordance with contract terms for each project
• Maintains accurate job-cost accounting information for each project, including time and material charges, in accordance with labor-hour and project expense budgets
• Supports and advises Operations on accounts receivable collection efforts in coordination with Project Managers and documents activity in the accounts receivable collection tool, works directly with client as required.
• Reviews items in the overpayment account spreadsheet following updates by the Operations Accounting Analyst
• Partners with Project Accounting team members to monitor subconsultant contracts, invoices, and budgets and works closely with Project Managers to support timely billing and payment
• Maintains electronic project files, including contract agreements and invoices
• Reviews project files and coordinates with Project Managers to obtain fully executed contract agreements
• Reviews posted project expenses to ensure appropriate reimbursable or non-reimbursable treatment
• Partners with Project Managers to address overall project needs and perform related analysis
• Provides accurate project documentation for financial and project audits
• Completes client vendor information requests
• Coordinates the distribution of Certificates of Insurance for projects
• Prepares lien releases for projects < l
• Notarizes lien releases prepared by other Project Accounting team members
• Performs additional duties as assigned

Who We're Looking For

Minimum Requirements:

• Ten years of experience using the accounting system of a professional services firm or similar organization; alternatively, a degree in accounting and five years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel and Outlook).
• Knowledge of cost accounting principles and project accounting concepts.
• Organized and detailoriented-able to orchestrate multiple activities efficiently and maintain clear records.
• Customerfocused with strong interpersonal skills; builds trusted relationships with internal and external partners.
• Strong analytical judgment; clear written and verbal communication and presentation skills.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Frequently uses a computer for extended periods.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed indoors, with occasional exposure to bright lighting and elevated noise levels.

What We Offer

• 100% Employee-Owned - Ownership from day one with immediate ESOP vesting.
• Retirement Savings - 401(k) with immediate vesting and a generous company match.
• Health & Wellness - Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus company-funded HSA contributions for HDHP plans.
• Company-Paid Protection - Life insurance, AD&D, and short and long term disability at no cost to you.
• Work-Life Balance - Flexible schedules, paid parental leave, generous PTO, and paid company holidays.
• Career Growth - Tuition reimbursement and ongoing professional development support.

SSR is an Equal Opportunity / Affinitive Action Employer

EEO Disabled/Veterans

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

Recruiters or staffing agencies: SSR is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to an SSR employee without 1) a current, fully executed agreement on file and 2) being assigned to the open position via HR

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.