Construction Accounting Manager - ERP & Project Cost Lead

Westphal & Company is seeking an Accounting Manager to perform complex accounting and financial functions, assist in the supervision of a team of accounting professionals, and become a champion of utilizing Vista Viewpoint’s ERP. This role is responsible for overseeing daily accounting operations, general ledger maintenance, and month-end close activities. The position requires strong leadership capabilities, analytical and organizational skills, accuracy, and a deep understanding of accounting principles, with a focus on project accounting, accounts payable and receivable, and financial reporting within a construction environment.

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Key Job Responsibilities

General Accounting & Financial Operations: Oversee daily accounting operations including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and general ledger entries. Prepare and post complex journal entries, accruals, and reclassifications. Maintain accurate records for billing, collections, and cash receipts. Monitor and reconcile bank accounts, credit card activity, and balance sheet accounts.

Financial Reporting & Analysis: Assist in the preparation of financial statements, budgets, and audit schedules. Perform detailed balance sheet reconciliations and budget-to-actual analysis. Prepare supporting schedules and variance analysis for management review. Compile data for job cost and overhead variance analysis.

Sales & Use Tax: Determine the proper taxability of projects based on scope of work and location. Ensure taxes are properly calculated based on project set ups, vendor invoice entry and customer sales invoice preparation. Accurately and timely file state sales and use tax returns.

Month-End & Year-End Close: Manage the monthly and annual close processes, ensuring all deadlines are met. Prepare and review journal entries, reconciliations, and supporting documentation. Partner with the Controller to finalize financial statements and coordinate audit activities.

Project & Cost Accounting: Provide oversight and guidance for job costing, variance analysis, and job close-out procedures. Conduct job cost accounting reviews of contract jobs and work orders. Compile and analyze data for forecasting and budgeting processes.

Accounts Receivable & Collections: Prepare and review customer invoices ensuring compliance with contractual requirements. Oversee customer communication and collection efforts. Maintain accurate aging schedules, monitor AR balances, and resolve billing discrepancies promptly.

Accounts Payable & Purchasing: Supervise vendor invoice processing, verify accuracy, ensure timely payments, and maintain proper expense and job coding. Support purchasing functions, vendor relationship management, and AP process improvements.

Fixed Assets & Equipment Accounting: Oversee fixed asset accounting, including reconciliations, depreciation entries, equipment utilization, and cost entries. Coordinate with third-party accountants on asset management and audit activities.

Leadership & Team Management: Supervise, mentor, and develop accounting team members, providing coaching, training, and performance feedback. Delegate tasks effectively, ensuring workload balance and timely completion of all accounting functions. Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning across the department.

Process Improvement & Systems: Act as subject matter expert for the ERP system, leading optimization efforts and serving as primary resource for troubleshooting and system enhancements. Identify and implement process improvements and automation opportunities. Contribute to developing the accounting playbooks and best practice documentation to strengthen system utilization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with Project Management, Operations, and other departments to ensure proper divisional, tax, and department coding. Support internal controls, participate in process improvement initiatives, and demonstrate company…