Accounting Manager - Operational Finance- Project

About the role

Manage and oversee day-to-day activity of accounting department and project accounting team while providing strategic financial leadership, cash optimization, compliance oversight, operational excellence, and business partnership support.

Responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive contract reviews to identify strategies that improve profitability and support strong cash flow positions.
• Lead standardization initiatives through adoption of company policies, procedures, and best practices to improve efficiency and compliance.
• Delegate and oversee completion of work assignments across accounting team to support accuracy, accountability, and timely completion of work.
• Create supportive environment to develop high performing finance team, engage in mentoring to provide training and development opportunities to team members.
• Lead accountants and other related team members, provide timely performance feedback and contribute to performance appraisals during annual performance cycle using talent management systems.
• Participate in project set-up meetings including 1A/1B meetings with project staff to oversee contract compliance and successful project launch.
• Drive improvements in Net Working Capital (NWC), cash forecasting, Accounts Receivables (AR) performance, and over/under billing management.
• Identify, evaluate, and support implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) enabled tools and process improvements that enhance efficiency, reporting accuracy, and financial analysis.
• Oversee the development and management of project billing schedules while proactively leading and participating in Work in-Progress (WIP) reviews to support accurate project reporting.
• Monitor and review billing activity to ensure billing accuracy and timely submissions for projects.
• Oversee review of billing proofs, accruals, reconciliations, and financial reporting for accuracy and completion.
• Safeguard financial integrity through adherence to accounting company and Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, and internal controls.
• Mitigate financial and audit risk through proactive oversight, self-audit practices, and issue resolution.
• Manage monthly and quarterly departmental audits per compliance with policy and procedures.
• Drive adoption of financial systems, dashboards, reporting tools, and data-driven decision support.
• Lead risk assessment and explanation for net working capital and over/underbilling status.
• Drive and provide guidance and support for project closeout processes.
• Other activities, duties, and responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from accredited degree program in Accounting or related field of study, and with minimum of 5 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Construction industry experience preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Finance policies and procedures with thorough application of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (e.g., journal entries, general ledger); knowledgeable of Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Knowledge of General & Administrative (G&A) cost allocation, budgeting, and forecasting methods applicable to construction office operations.
• Knowledge of Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable best practices (e.g., invoice exception resolution, vendor/customer account maintenance).
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing accounting professionals while building high-performing teams.
• Ability to delegate and oversee work efforts, observe performance, and effectively provide performance feedback.
• Analytic ability to review and assess financial data, interpret trends, and recognize inconsistencies.
• Experience managing cash flow and able to implement procedures to optimize profitability.
• Ability to read and understand financial reports and understand accounting implications of various contract terms.
• Ability to manage concurrent activities, requests, and short-cycle deadlines for self and others while working in fast-paced and changing environment.
• Ability to lead continuous improvement discussions and implement suggestions to improve overall finance operations.
• Exercise independent judgment and discretion to assess compliance, financial risks, and able to resolve or escalate risks.
• Able to manage compliance from team members.
• Professional verbal and written communication skills with ability to engage across organizational functional lines and levels.
• Proficient computer skills, financial system applications, and Microsoft Office suite of applications including advanced skills in MS Excel, and data analysis and collaborative tools (e.g., Teams, SharePoint).
• Familiar with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (e.g., SAP), electronic invoice platforms (e.g., Textura).
• Ability to evaluate and adopt new financial systems and tools, understand Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for financial analysis, data validation, and process automation desired, and demonstrate willingness to learn and apply tools to improve financial processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• 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. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.