Hybrid Project Controls Accountant bei Salas O'Brien

Salas O'Brien is looking for an experienced Project Accountant to work in our Baltimore, MD or Houston, TX office.  This is a hybrid role that will be responsible for overseeing and being directly involved in the project accounting, billing, budgeting, and contracting/subcontracting.

SUMMARY:   The Project Accountant Specialist will directly engage with Project Managers to develop and monitor project budgets, billing schedules, and WIP. The ideal candidate is a Project Accountant or Cost Analyst who takes ownership, embraces a “Client-First” and high-paced culture, enjoys the “doer” role, and has direct working experience in job costing, billing, GAAP, State/local government contracting, and cost accounting. 

PROJECT ACCOUNTING DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Project Set-ups: Upon award of new projects, review Contracts and Proposals, support Project Managers in the development of Project Start-up Sheets, and set-up projects in accounting system with appropriate billing rate tables.
• Project Billing: Prepare and finalize monthly project invoices in accordance with PM billing instructions and contract requirements within the monthly deadlines. Review monthly project detail to ensure appropriateness of billable cost.
• WIP Management: Monitor and manage aged WIP; document aged WIP.
• Project Budgeting: Engage with Project Managers to develop project budgets and billing projections at project initiation. Monitor and report on project progress over project life cycle. Interact with project managers on a regular basis.
• Project Financial Analysis: Monitor, assess and report on project financial performance on a monthly basis. Review and summarize project financial performance, including KPIs, with management and Project Managers.
• Monthly Reporting/Training: Present project reports at monthly Project Manager meeting. Conduct training for newly hired Project Managers.
• Project Reviews: Manage the scheduling of Project Kick-off Meetings and Project Reviews.
• Contract Administration Support: Support development of subcontracts and Purchase Orders and oversee maintenance of contract documents, including modifications, in electronic folders.
• Procurement Support: Support tracking, organization and reporting on procurements for select projects.
• A/R & A/P Support: Monitor aging of client billings and follow-up as required. Submit weekly reports to Regional Accounting Manager on A/R Aging.  Review project A/P to ensure correct coding and entry.
• Audit Support: Support year-end and ad-hoc audits. Prepare supporting schedules and documentation.
• Monthly Close: Assist, as needed, with parent company monthly close.

• Process Improvement: Continually work to identify and implement more efficient procedures and use of resources to improve workflow while maintaining a high level of accuracy.

• Other Duties: Perform other related duties as assigned.

In addition to the duties and responsibilities identified above, other responsibilities, tasks, and deliverables may be assigned to this position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILIY: None initially.     

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in finance, accounting, or business administration required.
• 3 - 5 years of progressive and related project accounting experience.
• Job Cost Accounting experience required.
• Experience in project billing required.
• Experience in project budgeting and financial analysis preferred.
• Contract experience is a plus 
• Project billing or accounting experience within engineering industry preferred.
• Expert Microsoft Excel skills required.
• Experience working with Deltek Vision accounting software is a plus.
• Experience working with Local, State and Federal Government clients is a plus.

COMPETENCIES: 

• Analytical—Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses intuition and experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures.

• Problem Solving—Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Customer Service—Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments.
• Interpersonal Skills—Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Maintains confidentiality; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control; Remains open to others' ideas and tries new things.
• Oral Communication—Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings.
• Written Communication—Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Teamwork—Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Puts success of team above own interests; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Confidentiality—Maintains strict confidentiality with payroll and employment information.
• Ethics—Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Judgment—Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Supports and explains reasoning for decisions; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Motivation—Sets and achieves challenging goals; Demonstrates persistence and overcomes obstacles; Measures self against standard of excellence; Takes calculated risks to accomplish goals.
• Planning/Organizing—Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Plans for additional resources; Sets goals and objectives; Organizes or schedules other people and their tasks; Develops realistic action plans.
• Professionalism—Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Quality—Demonstrates accuracy and thoroughness; Looks for ways to improve and promote quality; Applies feedback to improve performance; Monitors own work to ensure quality.
• Attendance/Punctuality—Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Dependability—Follows instructions, responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative—Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Takes independent actions and calculated risks; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Occasionally required to stand and walk
• Continually required to sit, utilize hand and finger dexterity, talk, hear
• Continually utilize visual acuity to operate equipment, read technical information, and/or use a keyboard

Location: Baltimore, MD or Houston, TX  (Hybrid) 

Salary: $80,000-$95,000K per year, based on experience.