Senior Project Accountant - Construction WIP Specialist

Frey Lutz; Lancaster (Lancaster County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelso Industries in the United States is seeking a Project Accountant to manage financial records for multiple HVAC, plumbing, and electrical projects. You will apply percentage-of-completion accounting under ASC 606, produce WIP reports, and collaborate with project teams to ensure accurate revenue, costs, and margins.

The role emphasizes month-end close, billings, and internal/external reporting, with a focus on accuracy, process improvements, and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field is required.
• Minimum 7–10 years of project accounting experience in construction or mechanical trades.
• Hands-on experience with percentage-of-completion accounting and WIP schedules.
• GAAP knowledge for long-term construction contracts (ASC 606).
• Proficiency with construction accounting software: Sage 300 CRE, Viewpoint Vista, Foundation, Spectrum; NetSuite ERP preferred.
• Advanced MS Excel skills, including pivot tables and VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP.
• Strong attention to detail with ability to manage multiple projects under deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Calculate and record monthly revenue recognition using the cost-to-cost POC method.
• Collaborate with project managers to obtain ETC and ensure projections reflect field conditions.
• Identify projects with margin fade, cost overruns, or scope changes that affect POC.
• Prepare and post monthly journal entries for over/under billings and cost adjustments.
• Prepare monthly WIP schedules and reconcile with the general ledger.
• Analyze overbilled/underbilled positions and flag contracts at risk.
• Maintain historical WIP data for trend analysis and forecasting.
• Set up new jobs with cost codes, budgets, and contract values.
• Code subcontractor invoices, material purchases, and labor allocations to correct job/cost phase.
• Review time sheets and payroll allocations to capture labor costs by project.
• Monitor commitments vs budgets and alert on variances.
• Prepare AIA/G702/G703 billings and log change orders.
• Track AR and collections; review subcontractor pay apps and lien waivers.
• Assist in monthly/quarterly/annual financial statements and management reports.
• Provide project-level gross margin analysis and explanations.
• Support year-end audit and bonding requests; prepare schedules and workpapers.
• Coordinate with external auditors and maintain audit-ready documentation.
• Develop ad hoc analyses and dashboards; drive accounting workflow improvements.
• Identify bottlenecks and implement best practices across accounting processes.

Skills

POC accounting

WIP schedule preparation

GAAP knowledge

Advanced Excel

Multiproject management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

CPA preferred

Tools

Sage 300 CRE

Viewpoint Vista

Foundation

Spectrum

NetSuite ERP

Job description

Kelso Industries in the United States is seeking a Project Accountant to manage financial records for multiple HVAC, plumbing, and electrical projects. You will apply percentage-of-completion accounting under ASC 606, produce WIP reports, and collaborate with project teams to ensure accurate revenue, costs, and margins.

The role emphasizes month-end close, billings, and internal/external reporting, with a focus on accuracy, process improvements, and stakeholder communication.