The Project Accountant partners with Project Managers and Finance leadership to support the financial success of HED's projects throughout the project lifecycle. This role is responsible for maintaining accurate project financial information, monitoring budgets and costs, supporting revenue recognition, analyzing project performance, and providing meaningful financial insight that enables informed business decisions.
Working under general guidance, the Project Accountant manages multiple projects of moderate complexity while ensuring financial data is complete, accurate, and aligned with company policies, accounting standards, and project objectives.
- Review project setup within the ERP system to verify contract terms, billing structures, project phases, budgets, and financial attributes
- Partner with Project Managers to develop, maintain, and update project budgets and forecasts
- Monitor labor, consultant, and reimbursable costs against budgets and forecasts
- Identify project financial variances, profitability trends, and potential risks while providing recommendations for corrective action
- Maintain project budget integrity and support financial planning activities
- Prepare and post project revenue recognition entries in accordance with GAAP
- Review work-in-progress (WIP), backlog, earned revenue, and project profitability reports
- Perform month-end close activities including project journal entries, reconciliations, WIP analysis, revenue reviews, and financial reporting
- Investigate and resolve project financial discrepancies in a timely manner
- Prepare recurring and ad hoc project financial reports and analyses for Project Managers and Finance leadership
- Recommend process improvements that enhance project accounting accuracy, efficiency, and reporting
- Maintain compliance with company policies, accounting standards, and internal controls
- Prepare and process client invoices based on project contracts, fee schedules, and billing terms
- Collaborate with Project Managers from project initiation to project close-out
- Validate project information in accounting system, including change orders and contract modifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required
- CPA or progress toward CPA preferred
- Three or more years of accounting experience in a project-based professional services environment preferred
- Experience with Workday or a comparable ERP system preferred
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and revenue recognition principles
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
- Financial Analysis & Reporting
- Business Partnership
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Analytical Thinking
- Attention to Detail
- Problem Solving
- Communication & Collaboration
- Planning & Organization
- Accountability
- Continuous Improvement
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to effectively communicate in writing and verbally via phone, video conferencing, and in person.
- Visual acuity sufficient to perform computer-based accounting responsibilities.
HED embraces a hybrid work model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the flexibility to work remotely while maintaining regular in-office collaboration. Work is performed in a professional office environment that supports both collaborative and independent work.
Other Duties:Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
- CPA or progress toward CPA
- Three or more years of accounting experience in a project-based professional services environment
- Experience with Workday or a comparable ERP system
- Strong knowledge of GAAP and revenue recognition principles
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail
What We Do
At HED, we believe great design is about more than aesthetics—it’s about solving complex challenges, enriching communities, and building a better future. As an integrated design firm, we combine architecture, engineering, consulting, and planning to deliver sustainable, impactful solutions. Guided by a shared purpose to create positive change, we foster collaboration, diversity, and continuous learning, where bold ideas and fresh perspectives drive innovation. With nine offices across the U.S., we pair national resources with localized expertise to serve diverse markets, including education (Higher Ed and Pre K-12), healthcare, mission critical, workplace, housing and mixed-use, science and advanced manufacturing, community, and federal and transportation. Discover how HED advances your world at www.hed.design.
