01 Project Accountant

The Christman Company is seeking a Project Accountant in our Grand Rapids/Lansing region to support project teams throughout the completion of construction projects. This critical role impacts organizational success by ensuring financial accuracy, compliance, and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Support Construction Operations with Accurate Financial Data
  • Assist Project Managers with project cost projections and reconciliations through project cost reports.
  • Support executive project financial status review through Project Financial Status Reports (PFSR).
• Ensure Compliance with Company Risk Management Practices
  • Collect and track signed contracts, builder’s risk insurance policies, trade contractor insurance, waivers, sworn statements, bonds, and notice of furnishings.
  • Maintain accurate and detailed project financial records including client, trade contractor, and project information files to a quality level expected by auditors.
• Serve as a Personal Point-of-Contact with Trade Contractors
  • Provide orientation conversations for trade contractors working with Christman for the first time.
  • Answer questions and provide information regarding payments and contract compliance.
• Process Project Financial Transactions
  • Manage and process all financial transactions performed in the normal course of a construction project between the company, the project owner, and trade contractors using the database system.
  • Manage project start-up: load project budgets, issue subcontracts, and perform all other activities required to appropriately structure accounting systems for the project type.
  • Process owner invoices: reconcile job costs, load schedule of values, billing rates, and other information needed to support contractual invoicing and company risk management and accounting standards.
  • Process trade contractor invoices: reconcile trade contractor invoices, batch, cut and post trade contractor payments, and print checks.
  • Project changes: manage and process all financial transactions generated by changes to the original project contract and scope (owner change orders and trade contractor change orders).
  • Project close-out: manage final billing adjustments, subcontract finalization, archiving, and other processes that confirm complete execution of the project contract.
• Complete assigned and required training for this role.

Requirements

• Associate’s degree in business, accounting, or related field.
• Two (2) or more years of accounting/project accounting experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting or business.
• Detailed knowledge of project contracts and change order documents.
• Knowledge of the construction industry and industry terminology.
• Three (3) years of experience in project accounting.

Skills

• Proven ability to maintain the highest levels of integrity and handle sensitive information confidentially, timely, and professionally.
• High level of accuracy and advanced attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and writing skills.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities, and see projects through to completion.
• Employ problem-solving skills and analysis; report problems to the Project Leader and/or Controller.
• Strong service orientation and knowledge of the project structure in a client/consultant business environment.

Schedule

• Full-time position, onsite in Lansing or Grand Rapids office.
• Minimal travel required; majority of travel done during work hours. Overnight stays may be required.

Benefits

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): all employees share in the collective success and wealth of the company.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• HSA contribution.
• 401K contribution.
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement.