The Role
Lead project accounting for a portfolio across multiple offices: manage project setup, budget and cost tracking, invoicing, payroll, AP/AR, revenue recognition, month/year-end close, reporting, and supervise the Billing Specialist to support firm profitability and compliance.
Summary Generated by Built In
Summary
Our design firm client is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to join their growing team. Based out of Philadelphia and working across their Philadelphia, PA, Raleigh, NC, and Austin, TX offices, this role is a key financial partner to the firm's project managers, operations leaders, and co-Managing Partners. The Senior Project Accountant works closely with the Billing Specialist and outsourced accounting consultants to manage the financial performance of a portfolio of projects, ensuring accurate billing, cost tracking, and reporting in support of project delivery and firm profitability.
We are seeking candidates who bring deep expertise in project-based accounting, thrive in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment, and have the communication skills to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders. Experience with AEC-focused ERP platforms such as Deltek Vantagepoint is a strong advantage. Candidates should be comfortable managing competing priorities and adapting to the dynamic nature of a project-driven firm.
The ideal candidate will have 5 or more years of project accounting experience within the AEC or professional services industry and the ability to manage the full project accounting lifecycle with minimal oversight.
About the role
What this position will focus on:
Managing the full project accounting lifecycle, including project setup, budget tracking, cost monitoring, invoicing oversight, and close-out, in close collaboration with project managers and the Billing Specialist.
Leading financial reporting, revenue recognition, and period-close activities to maintain the financial health and compliance of the firm.
Supporting firm leadership, collaboration across departments, and additional operational duties as needed.
Critical parts of the job
The Must-Haves
Qualifications
An award-winning architecture and design firm supporting clients across the US and internationally, they value and cultivate long-term partnerships with organizations across a wide range of industries and institutional settings. Their collaborative approach draws on the diverse expertise of the team and encourages connections across disciplines and sectors.
They bring together different perspectives and ideas to develop more thoughtful, innovative solutions than any individual could create alone. This shared approach to problem-solving is central to how they work and how innovation takes shape.
Our design firm client is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to join their growing team. Based out of Philadelphia and working across their Philadelphia, PA, Raleigh, NC, and Austin, TX offices, this role is a key financial partner to the firm's project managers, operations leaders, and co-Managing Partners. The Senior Project Accountant works closely with the Billing Specialist and outsourced accounting consultants to manage the financial performance of a portfolio of projects, ensuring accurate billing, cost tracking, and reporting in support of project delivery and firm profitability.
We are seeking candidates who bring deep expertise in project-based accounting, thrive in a collaborative, deadline-driven environment, and have the communication skills to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders. Experience with AEC-focused ERP platforms such as Deltek Vantagepoint is a strong advantage. Candidates should be comfortable managing competing priorities and adapting to the dynamic nature of a project-driven firm.
The ideal candidate will have 5 or more years of project accounting experience within the AEC or professional services industry and the ability to manage the full project accounting lifecycle with minimal oversight.
About the role
What this position will focus on:
Managing the full project accounting lifecycle, including project setup, budget tracking, cost monitoring, invoicing oversight, and close-out, in close collaboration with project managers and the Billing Specialist.
Leading financial reporting, revenue recognition, and period-close activities to maintain the financial health and compliance of the firm.
Supporting firm leadership, collaboration across departments, and additional operational duties as needed.
Critical parts of the job
- Overseeing and supporting the Billing Specialist for monthly project invoicing and collections of outstanding invoices.
- Monitoring project budgets and expenditures, identifying variances and working with project managers to address cost overruns or scope changes.
- Processing and tracking subconsultant invoices, purchase orders, and expense reports associated with assigned projects.
- Overseeing vendor payment processing and performing all accounts payable functions, including reviewing, coding, and processing payments for all non-project expenses.
- Tracking service contracts for outside vendors and performing monthly reconciliation of the corporate credit card statement.
- Processing payroll accurately and on time, including setup of new employee accounts in finance and HR systems, benefit deductions (401(k), medical, dental, disability, etc.), and serving as primary point of contact for pay-related questions.
- Providing annual payroll census data to the firm's 401(k) vendor.
- Preparing regular project financial reports including earned value analysis, revenue recognition schedules, and profitability summaries for project managers and leadership.
- Ensuring accurate revenue recognition in compliance with firm accounting policies and applicable standards (e.g., percentage-of-completion method).
- Assisting with month-end and year-end close activities, including preparation of journal entries and reconciliations.
- Compiling and reporting end-of-year financial data in coordination with co-Managing Partners and the firm's external tax accountant.
- Maintaining organized, audit-ready project financial records and documentation.
- Managing the Billing Specialist as a direct report, including daily coordination, quality oversight, mentoring, One-on-Ones, and facilitating semi-annual performance reviews.
- Coordinating with the Office Manager and co-Managing Partners on compliance and annual renewals of business and professional licensing across multiple states.
- Supporting Business Development during project pursuit, close-out, and post-award handoff for accurate project setup and contract review.
- Other ad-hoc duties as assigned.
The Must-Haves
- Collaborative and service-oriented approach to working with project teams across the firm.
- Proactive problem-solver who identifies financial risks early and escalates or resolves them promptly.
- Adaptability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic, project-driven work environment.
- High level of integrity and professionalism in handling sensitive financial information
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5–7 years of progressive project accounting experience, preferably in an architecture, engineering, or professional services firm
- Strong understanding of project-based accounting, including percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, cost-to-complete analysis, and AEC contract billing structures
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously with accuracy, attention to detail, and excellent organizational skills
- Effective communication skills, with the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable information for non-financial stakeholders
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite
- 5 or more years of AEC industry accounting experience with full project lifecycle ownership
- Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or similar AEC-focused project accounting/ERP software
- CPA or CPA Candidate
- Experience supporting payroll, AP/AR, and month-end/year-end close in a multi-office environment
- Familiarity with subconsultant invoice processing, Standard Form billing structures, or AEC contract compliance
An award-winning architecture and design firm supporting clients across the US and internationally, they value and cultivate long-term partnerships with organizations across a wide range of industries and institutional settings. Their collaborative approach draws on the diverse expertise of the team and encourages connections across disciplines and sectors.
They bring together different perspectives and ideas to develop more thoughtful, innovative solutions than any individual could create alone. This shared approach to problem-solving is central to how they work and how innovation takes shape.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5-7 years progressive project accounting experience (preferably AEC or professional services)
- Strong understanding of project-based accounting (percentage-of-completion, cost-to-complete, AEC contract billing)
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite
- Experience managing full project accounting lifecycle with minimal oversight (setup, invoicing, close-out)
- Payroll processing experience including employee setup, benefit deductions, and payroll issue resolution
- Experience supervising or mentoring accounting staff (direct report responsibility)
- Effective communication skills to present financial information to non-financial stakeholders
- Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint or similar AEC-focused project accounting/ERP software
- CPA or CPA Candidate
- Experience supporting AP/AR and month-end/year-end close in a multi-office environment
- Familiarity with subconsultant invoice processing, Standard Form billing, or AEC contract compliance
Am I A Good Fit?
Get Personalized Job Insights.
Our AI-powered fit analysis compares your resume with a job listing so you know if your skills & experience align.
Success! Refresh the page to see how your skills align with this role.
The Company
What We Do
At Converge, we advance the corporate well-being, performance, & profitability of our clients by leveraging a holistic approach to strategic human resources & human capital management. We recognize that the strength of an organization is directly related to the health & happiness of its employees. Therefore, we make it our goal to put humanity back into Human Resources. The following values are intrinsic to Converge’s approach and culture: Excellence - Develop innovative solutions that foster business agility in a competitive marketplace. Teamwork - Build productive, long-term relationships with our clients, our staff, & our partners founded upon mutual respect and collaboration. Integrity - Deliver services with courage, care, compassion, and commitment. Converge supports their clients with a powerful trio of services: HR Outsourcing- We give you the same HR support, initiatives, & expertise that global enterprises enjoy, including: audits & assessments, hiring and firing, handbooks and policies, talent development, employee compensation, and more. We design, develop, & implement everything within the structure of a collaborative and responsive relationship. HR Consulting- We can help you with temporary professional help with an HR issue, project, or initiative: writing handbooks, performing compensation benchmark studies, providing support through business transitions, and help you achieve your strategic goals for your company within these focused areas; organizational design, executive coaching, leadership team development, performance management, talent development, and more. Recruiting -we are a true recruitment partner, we have a well-designed recruitment process that guarantees satisfaction. Out team of professionals focus on fit for you company to get you the best candidate.
