Senior Project Accountant

Cook & Boardman, LLC; Simpsonville (SC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Cook & Boardman, LLC is seeking a Sr. Project Accountant to oversee financial administration for construction projects from award to closeout.

You will manage contract billing, pay applications, job cost reconciliation, and change orders while guarding project margins and revenue recognition. You will guide Project Accountants, collaborate with Project Managers, Sales, and Accounting leadership, and ensure timely, accurate financial reporting and closeouts for complex projects in a dynamic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; or equivalent experience.
• 4–5 years of progressive experience in project or construction accounting, including pay applications and job cost reconciliation.
• Experience with construction/contract accounting or ERP software (e.g., Comsense) preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end contract billing and pay application processes for assigned projects, ensuring accuracy and timely submission.
• Reconcile job costs and revenue, identify variances and resolve WIP discrepancies.
• Research and process change orders, resolving complex billing disputes and missing material issues.
• Gatekeeper for project closeouts, ensuring all contractual and documentation requirements are met.
• Partner with Project Managers, Sales, and Accounting leadership to ensure correct billing and revenue recognition.

Skills

Contract billing

Job cost reconciliation

WIP analysis

Excel proficiency

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance

Tools

ERP software (e.g., Comsense)

Job description

The Sr. Project Accountant owns the financial administration of assigned construction projects from contract award through closeout, including contract billing, pay applications, job cost reconciliation, and change order processing. This role exercises independent judgment on matters of financial significance to the business, serves as the final gatekeeper for project closeouts and related inventory, and partners closely with Project Managers, Sales, and Accounting leadership to protect project margin and ensure accurate, timely revenue recognition. This position may also provide guidance and review support to Project Accountants.

Essential Functions

• Own end-to-end contract billing and pay application processes for assigned projects, ensuring accuracy, contract compliance, and timely submission
• Reconcile job costs and revenue, proactively identifying and resolving variances, WIP discrepancies, and sales order issues
• Research and process change orders, exercising independent judgment to resolve complex billing disputes, back charges, and missing material issues
• Serve as the gatekeeper for project closeouts, verifying that all contractual, billing, and documentation requirements are satisfied before a project is finalized
• Own inventory reconciliation tied to assigned projects, ensuring accurate tracking and resolution of discrepancies
• Analyze project financials to identify risk, cost overruns, or billing exposure, and escalated significant issues to Accounting and business leadership
• Review the work of Project Accountants on complex billing, reconciliation, and closeout matters, providing guidance and serving as an escalation point
• Partner with Project Managers, Sales, and Accounting leadership to ensure contract terms are properly reflected in billing and revenue recognition
• Other related duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience preferred
• Minimum of 4-5 years of progressive experience in project or construction accounting, including pay applications, contract billing, and job reconciliation
• Experience with construction/contract accounting or ERP software (e.g., Comsense) preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strong working knowledge of construction contract billing, including pay applications, change orders, and job cost accounting
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment and discretion in resolving complex billing, reconciliation, and project closeout matters
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office products
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with Project Managers, Sales, and senior leadership
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities independently in a deadline-driven environment

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 this job. While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to talk, hear, and see. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands to handle or feel objects, and reach with hands and arms. This role requires frequent lifting of items weighing 5-25 pounds and occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. This position operates in both a professional office setting and a warehouse environment. The role routinely uses standard office equipment, including computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, and fax machines. Occasional travel to project sites may be required. Warehouse conditions include proximity to forklifts and other heavy machinery and the use of various tools and hardware. Employees may be subject to frequent heavy lifting and exposure to variable weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

Qualification Requirements

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this job description are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required to fulfill the essential functions of the role. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws.