Sr. Project Accountant

Upchurch is a rapidly growing, full-service building engineering company providing mechanical, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical services across the southeastern United States. Founded in 1970 and headquartered in Horn Lake, MS, Upchurch has grown through both organic expansion and strategic acquisitions, establishing a strong reputation for quality, reliability, and service excellence. We offer end-to-end solutions—from design and installation to ongoing maintenance and emergency support—helping clients maximize building performance, energy efficiency, and equipment lifespan.

The Sr. Project Accountant plays a critical dual-role within the Performance Assurance division, serving as both a financial steward and a client and vendor facing business partner. This position is responsible for overseeing project financial performance, contract administration, billing, forecasting, and margin assurance while also acting as a primary financial liaison for key accounts.

The role supports a ~$30MM revenue division within a ~$400MM MEP organization and is instrumental in ensuring financial accuracy, operational discipline, and profitable growth across performance-based service contracts. The position relies heavily on Build Ops for project execution, service operations, and billing workflows, and Sage Intacct for financial reporting, accounting, and compliance.

Financial Management & Controls

• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes for the Performance Assurance division using Sage Intacct

• Maintain accurate project cost tracking, revenue recognition, and margin reporting across all active projects

• Prepare and analyze forecasts, budgets, and variance analyses at the project and division levels

• Ensure compliance with corporate accounting policies, internal controls, and audit requirements

• Partner with the Controller’s office on reconciliations, accruals, and financial reporting within Sage Intacct

Project & Contract Accounting

• Manage financial aspects of performance-based and service contracts, including billing structures, retainage, incentives, and penalties

• Oversee accurate project setup, job cost structures, and contract values in Build Ops, ensuring alignment with Sage Intacct

• Review and approve change orders and contract modifications for financial accuracy and system integrity

• Monitor work-in-progress (WIP), backlog, and earned value metrics across systems

• Identify financial risks and opportunities early and proactively recommend corrective actions

Account Management & Client Support

• Serve as a financial point of contact for select key accounts, supporting account managers and project teams

• Manage client billing workflows in Build Ops, including invoice review, coordination, and timely submission

• Assist with resolving billing discrepancies, revenue recognition questions, and payment issues

• Participate in client meetings as needed to support financial transparency and confidence

• Help maintain strong, long-term client relationships through accurate reporting and responsiveness

Business Partnership & Systems Enablement

• Work closely with division leadership, project managers, and engineers to align financial performance with operational execution

• Act as a key liaison between operations and finance to ensure Build Ops and Sage Intacct are used consistently and effectively

• Support pricing, proposals, and contract negotiations by providing financial insights and historical data

• Assist with continuous improvement initiatives related to financial processes, reporting, and system workflows

• Support onboarding of new projects, services, or clients into Build Ops and Sage Intacct, ensuring clean data and scalable processes

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field

• 5+ years of experience in project accounting, construction accounting, or financial management (MEP, energy services, or professional services preferred)

• Strong understanding of job costing, revenue recognition, and contract accounting

• Hands-on experience with ERP and project management systems, preferably Sage Intacct and/or Build Ops

• Advanced Excel skills and strong financial analysis capabilities

• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to both financial and non-financial stakeholders

Preferred

• Direct experience using Build Ops for project financials, service billing, or operational reporting

• Direct experience using Sage Intacct for general ledger, project accounting, and financial reporting

• Experience supporting performance-based contracts, energy services, commissioning, or assurance-related services

• CPA or CMA (or progress toward certification)

• Experience working in a matrixed organization with both divisional and corporate reporting lines

Key Competencies

• Financial acumen and attention to detail

• Strong systems orientation with the ability to connect operational and financial data

• Client-focused mindset with a service-oriented approach

• Strong…