Solar Landscape is seeking a Project Accountant to be responsible for financial oversight at the project level, with primary ownership of forecasted cost at completion (CAC/EAC) and budget integrity across assigned projects. This role partners directly with Project Managers (PMs) to develop, validate, and monitor cost forecasts on a monthly basis, while also acting as a financial control checkpoint to ensure disciplined budget adherence.
The position sits at the intersection of project execution and finance, providing structured cost visibility, enforcing budget controls, and improving project-level financial predictability.
Responsibilities
- Own and maintain monthly Estimated/Anticipated Cost at Completion at the project level.
- Partner with Project Managers to:
- Review committed costs, actuals, and pending exposures.
- Identify forecast variances and risk areas.
- Update cost projections based on scope changes and field intelligence.
- Ensure forecast integrity through documented assumptions and variance explanations.
- Escalate material risks or budget overruns with recommended mitigation strategies.
- Support project budget setup and changes within financial systems.
- Validate that budgets are properly structured (cost codes, categories, contingencies).
- Monitor budget vs. actual vs. committed spend.
- Identify discrepancies and coordinate corrective action with PMs and Finance.
- Maintain clean budget hygiene and audit-ready documentation.
- Serve as a financial partner to the PM team to maintain cost discipline.
- Provide structured reporting on budgets vs actuals, committed costs, forecast variances.
- Flag early warning indicators of budget overrun.
- Support PMs in corrective planning (reallocations, contingency usage, cost mitigation strategies).
- Monitor PO issuance against approved budgets.
- Ensure POs align to approved cost codes and budget limits, and that proper documentation and approvals are in place.
- Identify and resolve open or stale commitments to maintain accurate committed cost reporting.
- Partner with Procurement and PMs to improve PO discipline.
- Monitor the aging of customer billings and follow up as required. Submit monthly reports on Accounts Receivable (A/R) Aging to management.
- Review project Accounts Payable (A/P) to ensure correct coding and entry.
- Process change orders, contracts, release of liens and subcontractor payment applications.
1. Cost at Completion (EAC/CAC) Ownership
2. Budget Management & Entry
3. Budget Adherence & PM Support
4. Project Purchase Order Management
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field.
- 3–7+ years of experience in project accounting, cost management, construction finance, or project controls.
- Strong understanding of:
- Budget development and tracking
- Cost forecasting (EAC/CAC methodologies)
- Commitment accounting
- PO lifecycle management
- Advanced Excel proficiency; ERP/project accounting system experience preferred.
- Ability to work cross-functionally with project teams and finance.
- Strong analytical, documentation, and process discipline skills.
- Forecasting rigor
- Financial controls orientation
- Detail oriented
- Risk identification and mitigation
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Project costing & accounting best practices
- Accuracy and reliability of monthly cost-at-completion forecasts.
- Reduction in budget overruns due to improved early detection.
- Clean PO lifecycle management (minimal stale commitments).
- Improved adherence to budget approval controls.
- Increased financial visibility for PM leadership and Finance.
Key Competencies
Performance Outcomes
Success in this role will be measured by:
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field
- 3-7+ years of experience in project accounting, cost management, construction finance, or project controls
- Strong understanding of budget development and tracking, cost forecasting, commitment accounting, and PO lifecycle management
- Advanced Excel proficiency
- ERP/project accounting system experience preferred
What We Do
Solar Landscape is a leading commercial rooftop solar developer that builds, owns, and operates solar projects nationwide. Founded by construction professionals, the company manages the entire lifecycle of solar projects, from engineering and permitting to operations. They partner with large real estate owners to turn rooftops into revenue-generating assets, providing clean energy solutions and community solar programs that offer electricity bill savings to residents.
