Senior Project Accountant

Senior Project Accountant (Full-Time, Permanent Hire, Onsite-Chicago)

Location: Chicago, IL, Onsite 5-days (Inner City, Not Suburbs)

Employment Type: Full-Time, Permanent Hire

Industry: Construction/Project Accounting

Compensation: $80K-$130K base salary + benefits (Medical/Dental/Vision/401k w/%match, PTO)

About the Opportunity

We are seeking a Senior Project Accountant to support multiple large-scale commercial construction projects across the Chicagoland area. This position serves as a key financial partner to Project Managers and Operations leadership, overseeing project financial performance, cost management, billing, forecasting, and contract compliance from project startup through closeout.

This role is designed for accounting professionals with direct experience supporting commercial general contractors and complex construction projects.

Key Responsibilities

Project Accounting

• Manage the full financial lifecycle of commercial construction projects.
• Review and analyze project costs, budgets, commitments, change orders, and forecasts.
• Partner with Project Managers to monitor project financial performance and profitability.
• Maintain accurate project cost reporting and job cost allocations.
• Identify cost overruns, financial risks, and billing opportunities.

Billing & Revenue Recognition

• Prepare and process owner billings, including AIA applications and supporting documentation.
• Track retainage, lien waivers, and contract requirements.
• Monitor unbilled revenue and billing status across assigned projects.
• Ensure revenue recognition is performed in accordance with company policies and construction accounting standards.

Project Financial Reporting

• Prepare monthly project financial reports and variance analysis.
• Review and reconcile project budgets, forecasts, and cost-to-complete schedules.
• Provide project profitability analysis to operations and finance leadership.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close activities.

Contract Administration

• Review owner contracts, subcontract agreements, and change orders for financial impact.
• Monitor project compliance requirements and contractual obligations.
• Assist with subcontractor payment processing and documentation management.
• Support project audits and owner requests as needed.

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Act as the primary accounting liaison for Project Managers and Operations leadership.
• Collaborate with estimating, procurement, and executive teams on project financial matters.
• Drive process improvements and best practices within project accounting functions.
• Mentor junior project accounting staff when applicable.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field.
• 3+ years of project accounting experience within a commercial general contracting environment.
• Strong understanding of construction accounting principles and job cost accounting.
• Experience supporting large-scale commercial, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, multifamily, mission-critical, corporate office, or mixed-use construction projects.
• Experience with AIA billing, retainage, change orders, work-in-progress reporting, and revenue recognition.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Ability to work onsite and collaborate directly with project and operational teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• 5+ years of commercial construction accounting experience.
• Experience with ERP systems commonly used by large general contractors.
• Prior experience supporting projects exceeding $10M in contract value.
• CPA, CMA, or construction industry certifications.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Annual bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career advancement opportunities within a growing construction organization

Next Steps

Select Quick Apply to have your resume reviewed within 24‑48 hours, or reach out directly with your resume to set up a confidential conversation at oscar.pena@roberthalf.com.

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