Project Accountant

Responsibilities

• Collects, reconciles, obtains approval, and processes through PCL business systems all project related trade partner payments, general expenditures, and internal payroll costing allocations (including recharge). Completes all financial transactions in a timely and accurate manner to meet all contract payment terms as per legislation, contract terms, and PCL policy, procedures, and guidelines.
• Reviews and analyzes all adjustments, submissions, and reports and ensures they are completed in a timely manner. Follows up and manages any issues, problems, or discrepancies.
• Participates in monthly forecast review meetings for assigned projects to provide input on recoveries and various other reconciliations.
• Provides project team with various ad hoc reports and analyses as required.
• Participates in year-end procedures as assigned.
• Assembles client billings package in accordance with approval procedures and processes through PCL business systems to ensure the client is in receipt of billings on a timely basis and payments are received as per contract terms and conditions.
• Assists with assembling of information for internal financial reporting requirements and external financial reporting requirements.
• Prepares bank deposits and/or monthly reconciliations and prepares subsequent cash receipt entries where required.
• Reviews and analyzes monthly contract reports to ensure accuracy of cash-flow, fee reconciliation, and ledger balance. Subsequently follows up with project management staff and accounting manager to identify any irregularities or risk exposure and assists with the development of a strategy to address accordingly.
• Ensures that all project and subcontract required documentation, including insurance, bonding, SDI, workers’ compensation, statutory declarations, and lien waivers is in place.
• Reads contracts and interprets trade partner documentation for accounting related items only and may assist with project setup procedures.
• Identifies and communicates to project team and accounting management any compliance and/or project risks.
• Assembles information for internal and external audits.
• Supports finance and commercial risk management with special assignments, as required.
• Effectively communicates with internal and external stakeholders.
• Develops and maintains strong, customer-focused relationships with all stakeholders.
• Values and models the solution provider and profitability culture.
• Other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Postsecondary degree or diploma in a related discipline. CPA Designation not required.
• 5-7 years of progressive experience with direct project administration and accounting in construction or a related industry preferred.
• Advanced skills using Microsoft Office Suite and advanced knowledge and/or experience with JD Edwards ERP software.
• Advanced understanding of full-cycle accounting, with the ability to teach and mentor more junior staff.
• Intermediate understanding of project forecasting and budgeting.
• Intermediate knowledge of project costing principles, recoveries, insurance, and contract/subcontract requirements as related to accounting.
• Intermediate knowledge of government legislation regarding generally accepted accounting practices.
• Intermediate knowledge of bid and contract securities and insurance as they relate to risk management, claims management, pricing, and accounting.
• Intermediate understanding of subcontract PO terms, including insurance and subcontractor default insurance (SDI) and bonding requirements.
• Advanced knowledge and experience with owner contracts as they relate to payment terms, billing requirements, audit rights, and cost-of-work definition, insurance, and bonding.
• Ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks with conflicting deadline while remaining organized.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment, with strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to act with the required discretion when handling confidential information.
• Strong management skills, with the ability to delegate and coordinate activities effectively and lead and motivate finance and commercial risk employees.