Project Accountant jobs in District of Columbia

Position Summary The Project Accountant position is responsible for supporting the project team throughout the completion of a project. This includes providing regular updates regarding project profitability, sub-contractor compliance and any outstanding risk management issues requiring the team's attention. This is a critical role in the organization and has the ability to have a significant impact on the organizations success.

Essential Job Functions Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

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 our company, the project owner, and trade contractors using our 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 the contractual invoicing procedure 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 order 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.

Contribute to Corporate Financial Accounting

• Each member of the project accounting team has an opportunity and responsibility to contribute to corporate financial accounting systems.
• Depending on background and capabilities, contributions may include supporting tasks or system responsibility related to; bank reconciliations, cash receipts, property management, payroll administration, trade contractor evaluations, joint venture financial statements, insurance audits, sales and use tax audits, accounting and project management software enhancements, etc.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Work Environment The position will be conducted in a temperature controlled professional office environment, with moderate noise. The role will routinely use standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, scanners, fax machines, and filing cabinets.

Physical Demands While performing the duties of this role, the employee is regularly required to talk, listen sit, walk, reach, kneel, stoop, crouch, and use hands and fingers to handle or feel and to operate a computer and telephone keyboard, and maintain visual acuity. The employee may occasionally be required to lift and or carry lightweight objects under 20 pounds.

Expected Hours of Work Full time position. Occasional extended hours and weekends may apply.

Travel Minimal travel required, depending on the project, travel to other areas may be required. Majority of travel done during work hours; overnight stays may be required.

Required Education and Experience

1. Associate's Degree in Business, Accounting, or related field.
2. Two (2) or more years of accounting/project accounting experience.

-or-

1. Equivalent combination of the above education, training, and experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

1. Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Accounting or Business.
2. Detailed knowledge of project contracts and change order documents.
3. Knowledge of the construction industry and industry terminology.
4. Three (3) years of experience in project accounting.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

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