Project Accountant I
About the role
As the Project Accountant, you will play a key role in managing the full project accounting lifecycle. From initial project setup through closeout, you will oversee the financial management of projects, ensuring accurate budgeting, billing, revenue recognition, forecasting, financial reporting, and compliance with contractual requirements. You will work closely with Project Managers, Operations, and Finance leadership to monitor project financial performance, identify opportunities to support profitability, and ensure financial accuracy and integrity throughout the project lifecycle. Your attention to detail and ability to collaborate across teams will be critical to the overall success of each project.
Responsibilities
- Set up new projects in the accounting system and ensure accurate financial data.
- Review contracts and project terms to ensure compliance with company policies and customer agreements.
- Develop and maintain project budgets, forecasts, and cost projections.
- Monitor project performance, costs, revenue, and profitability.
- Prepare and process customer billings in accordance with contract terms.
- Manage revenue recognition and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
- Track accounts receivable, support collections efforts, and resolve billing issues.
- Prepare monthly project financial reports, variance analyses, and forecasts.
- Collaborate with Project Managers to identify financial risks and opportunities.
- Process project modifications, change orders, and contract amendments.
- Perform project closeout activities, including final billing, reconciliations, and documentation.
- Support internal and external audits as needed.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of project accounting experience.
- Demonstrated experience managing projects through the full life cycle, from project setup to project closeout.
- Strong understanding of project accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting, billing, and revenue recognition.
- Experience working with ERP/accounting systems.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience in engineering, construction, professional services, or project-based environments (nice to have).
- Knowledge of contract management and project financial controls (nice to have).
- Experience with percentage-of-completion and other project revenue recognition methods (nice to have).
Benefits
- Healthcare for you and your family: Medical, Dental & Vision insurance
- Single HDHP Medical plan with 100% paid premium
- Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer match
- Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- FREE Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance
- Voluntary Life Insurance for you and your family
- FREE Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance
- PTO + Sick Time + 8 Holidays per year
- Retirement Savings Plan with contribution from CPL to grow your retirement funds
- Internal Mobility & Career Advancement
- Licensure Assistance
- Tuition Assistance: You may be eligible for continuing education assistance (FT 40+ hrs/week)
- Student Loan Assistance Program: CPL will contribute up to $100/month for 5 years ($6,000 total) toward student loan debt (FT 40+ hrs/week)
Pay
The rate for this position generally ranges between $60,000 to 72,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the New York Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful New York applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in New York or perform the position from New York. Similar positions located outside of New York will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by New York Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employees already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee's pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.