Director, Project Accounting

Core Job Responsibilities

• Own the monthly WIP schedule and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition process (ASC 606) across all active projects, consistent across lump-sum, cost-plus, and unit-rate contract types.

• Establish and maintain formal over/underbilling (contract asset/liability) tracking and monthly reporting, reducing amounts aged over 90 days and improving DSO.

• Develop formal ASC 606 revenue recognition process.

• Improve weekly and monthly cost management reporting — actual cost vs. budget by cost code — flagging variances for Project Manager and Project Controls follow-up.

• Lead the monthly margin variance review with Project Managers, Project Controls, and Estimating, tracking actual cost against budget for every active project.

• Partner with Project Controls leadership to align job cost structure with budget and implement a standardized, WBS-aligned job cost coding structure.

• Run a weekly cost and progress check-in with Project Managers and Project Controls, producing an indicative (unaudited, pre-close) revenue and margin trend by project.

• Build, manage, and mentor the project accounting team, including assessing current billing staff for upskill potential and hiring externally for experienced project accountants.

• Establish subcontractor and vendor billing, retainage, and lien-waiver tracking controls consistent with MSA and subcontract terms.

• Support external auditors and controllership with supporting schedules for percentage-of-completion, cost accruals, and contract asset/liability positions.

• Partner with IT/ERP teams to automate WIP and job cost schedule consolidation and retire manual, spreadsheet-based reporting.

• Develop and maintain a rolling cash flow forecasting model integrating project billing milestones, retainage release, and subcontractor payment timing.

• Directly supervises employees and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and applicable laws.

• Develop a project accountant onboarding and training program, including a defined career path within the finance organization.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

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Essential Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field required; CPA preferred.

• Minimum 10 years of experience in EPC or construction project accounting, including experience managing a project accounting function required.

• Vista Viewpoint ERP experience preferred.

• Deep knowledge of percentage-of-completion accounting (ASC 606) and EPC/construction contract types (T&M, fixed price, cost-plus, unit-rate).

• Experience with WIP schedules, over/underbilling (contract asset/liability) reporting, and job cost accounting.

• Strong understanding of change order/CCN processes and their cost and revenue recognition impact.

• Experience building or maturing a project accounting function, including staff development and training.

• Track record partnering with Project Controls, Estimating, and Project Managers on cost and margin reporting.

• Preferred experience in companies that deliver engineering and/or construction projects.

• Solid grounding in general accounting and controllership fundamentals (GAAP, month-end close, account reconciliations, internal controls, financial statement preparation) in addition to project-specific accounting.

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Physical Requirements

• Occasionally lift objects weighing up to 25 pounds

• Sit for long periods of time

• Occasionally stoop, kneel or crouch

• Use hands and arms to reach for, grasp and manipulate objects

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