Senior Project Accountant

OVERVIEW

Experience something categorically different. With over 1,400 stores throughout the U.S., a thriving digital ecosystem and a growth trajectory that’s put Wall Street on notice;
Ulta Beauty provides dynamic challenges for those who want to apply their financial acumen to ever-increasing levels of complexity. Professional ownership. Diverse and ever-evolving projects. Greater levels of impact. The ability to influence decisions and organizational direction. It’s all part of the daily experience of our Finance & Accounting associates.

If you want a collaborative environment where continual learning, career self-determination and trust are prioritized, where an engaged leadership provides deep levels of support and guidance, Ulta Beauty is uniquely positioned to deliver greater levels of career satisfaction. Are you up for the challenge?

The General Accounting department is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to support accounting, financial oversight, forecasting, governance, and close activities for the Company’s IT project portfolio, including capital projects, cloud/SaaS initiatives, internal-use software, capitalized labor, and project-related operating expenses.

This position serves as the primary accounting resource supporting the Company’s IT project portfolio and a key accounting and finance partner to IT Finance, SPD IT, IT Leadership, FP&A, the Transformation Office, and project and budget owners. The role independently evaluates, researches, documents, and recommends the appropriate accounting treatment for IT project costs, including capitalization, expense classification, cloud/SaaS accounting, and related accounting considerations in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP, including ASC 350-40, ASC 360, and Company accounting policies.

The Senior Project Accountant will play a critical role in annual business planning, project intake and governance, monthly close and accruals, project forecasting, SOX support, audit documentation, and continuous process improvement.

This role requires strong accounting judgment, technical accounting knowledge, analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

• Support annual IT project planning by preparing project financial information, validating financial and accounting assumptions, and partnering with Accounting, IT Finance, SPD IT, FP&A, the Transformation Office, and IT Leadership during the planning and budget development process.
• Independently evaluate, document, and recommend accounting treatment for IT project costs, including capitalization, expense classification, cloud/SaaS arrangements, internal-use software, capitalized labor, and project operating expenses in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP and Company accounting policies. Escalate complex or judgmental matters to management for review and approval.
• Support project intake and governance by providing accounting guidance on project funding, coding, capitalization considerations, documentation requirements, and capitalization stage assessments consistent with ASC .
• Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities for the IT project portfolio, including accruals, journal entries, reconciliations, SAP actuals, Planview data, account analyses, and supporting work papers.
• Independently analyze financial results, investigate variances, identify project coding or classification issues, develop recommendations, and partner with stakeholders to resolve complex accounting and financial issues.
• Maintain project financial trackers and prepare forecast inputs for the IT project portfolio, including capital expenditures, cloud/SaaS costs, capitalized labor, and project operating expenses. Analyze variances, validate assumptions, support the preparation and consolidation of monthly forecasts, and prepare supporting analyses for management review.
• Support quarterly CIP reviews, amortization and impairment considerations, SOX controls, internal and external audit requests, and financial reporting requirements related to IT project activity.
• Partner with Accounting, IT Finance, SPD IT, FP&A, IT Leadership, project owners, and budget owners to provide accounting guidance, influence project accounting decisions, communicate financial results, and proactively identify financial risks and opportunities.
• Provide day-to-day technical guidance, coaching, and training to Project Accountants and cross-functional stakeholders regarding project accounting processes, accounting policies, capitalization requirements, and financial governance.
• Prepare technical accounting memoranda, accounting position papers, and supporting analyses for management review to support capitalization decisions, accounting conclusions, policy interpretations, and audit requirements.
• Research and interpret applicable accounting guidance, evaluate emerging accounting issues related to technology investments, and provide…