Project Accountant

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee‑owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high‑rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.

Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.

The Project Accountant is a key position on our Finance team, responsible for leading financial administration and fiscal management aspects of various projects. Working closely with Project Managers, Engineers, and Executives, the Project Accountant ensures financial compliance, tracks project expenditures, manages invoicing, and oversees accounts receivable/payable. The ideal candidate has strong accounting knowledge, excellent communication skills, is able to positively interact with key members of the project team and has the ability to work independently in a dynamic environment.

• Set up, coordinate, and evaluate project financial administration, including budgeting and expenditure tracking.
• Manage project cash flow, ensuring accurate tracking of net assets, liabilities, and unfunded work.
• Monitor and communicate potential financial risks, including cash position concerns and unapproved change orders.
• Oversee the monthly billing process, including invoice preparation, approval, and compliance with contractual requirements.
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition, cost allocation, and percent‑complete updates.
• Administer accounts payable and accounts receivable, resolving financial disputes with owners, architects, and vendors.
• Assist with month‑end close processes, project cost reports, and financial statement preparation.
• Ensure compliance with financial policies, internal controls, and reporting standards.
• Manage subcontractor agreements, purchase orders, and invoice approvals.
• In addition to project accounting, this role will assist with other accounting functions such as accounts payable and/or receivable, assist with month‑end financial accounting close as needed, partner with the finance manager on process improvement and automation, and assist with ad hoc projects as needed.

• Education:
  
  Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a business related field.
• Minimum of 2 years of accounting experience, preferably in the AEC industry or other project‑based environment.
• Highly computer literate – especially with an ERP system (Deltek a plus) and Microsoft Excel.

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact with various stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience with cost analysis, billing rate audits, and…