Project Accounting Manager

ABOUT US

STRIVE is a specialist recruitment firm offering proactive recruitment solutions in the areas of Accounting & Finance, Corporate Administration, Manufacturing Operations, and Technology. STRIVE supports various clients from small to medium-sized enterprises to Fortune 500 organizations for their permanent, contract, and temporary recruitment needs.

THE CLIENT

Our client is an established organization operating within the marine, logistics and project services sector. They deliver a range of complex projects and services across marine construction and logistics, working with a variety of clients and stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. As the organization continues to grow, they are looking to add an experienced Project Accounting Manager to their Finance team.

THE ROLE

The Project Accounting Manager will be responsible for overseeing the financial management and accounting of multiple projects. This is a hands-on role that will work closely with Project Managers, Operations and Finance to ensure projects are accurately tracked, reported and forecasted from a financial perspective.

The successful candidate will take ownership of project accounting processes including project setup, cost tracking, WIP, billing, forecasting, variance analysis and project reporting. This role will also help strengthen financial controls and improve visibility into project performance.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oversee project accounting activities across multiple concurrent projects
• Partner with Project Managers and operational teams to monitor financial performance
• Establish and maintain project budgets, cost codes and accounting structures
• Track project costs, commitments, revenue and margins against budgets
• Prepare and review WIP and project accounting calculations
• Manage project billing, progress billings, change orders and related documentation
• Prepare monthly project financial reports, forecasts and variance analysis
• Identify cost overruns, margin pressures and other financial risks
• Support project forecasting, including revenue, costs, cash flow and profitability
• Review project accruals, receivables and payables to ensure costs and revenue are captured accurately
• Work closely with the broader Finance team through month-end and year-end close
• Assist with project audits and provide supporting documentation as required
• Develop and improve project accounting processes, controls and reporting
• Provide financial analysis and support on various projects and initiatives

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• 5+ years of progressive accounting experience, ideally within project accounting, construction, engineering, marine, logistics or another project-based environment
• Strong understanding of project costing, WIP, revenue recognition and project profitability
• Experience working closely with Project Managers and operational stakeholders
• Strong Excel skills and experience with ERP/accounting systems
• Ability to build and maintain project budgets, forecasts and financial models
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to identify and explain project variances
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities
• Strong communication skills and the ability to partner effectively with Finance and Operations
• Experience with percentage-of-completion accounting and/or cost-to-complete forecasting is an asset
• CPA designation or progress toward a CPA is an asset
• Experience within marine construction, logistics, infrastructure, engineering or other project-driven industries would be an asset
• A hands-on, commercially minded approach with a willingness to get into the detail