Project Accountant

Job title:                       Project Accountant

Status:                         Full Time, remote or hybrid (must reside in WA, OR, CA, MD, DC or VA)

Job Classification:       Senior Administrator

Office Location:           Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Baltimore, MD; or Washington DC

Reports to:                  Associate Director, Accounting

Summary

PRR is a full-service communications consulting firm, working with government agencies, organizations, and businesses that focus on transportation, public health, and the environment. Our commitment lies in providing a flexible work environment where our team engages with intriguing and challenging projects while integrating their professional aspirations with personal values. If you're seeking a career with a company that not only prioritizes work-life balance, but also leaves a positive imprint on the environment, human well-being, and the communities our clients serve, PRR welcomes you.

As a Project Accountant, you play an integral role within our fast-paced, high-volume project accounting team. Your responsibilities involve the comprehensive financial management of a diverse portfolio of projects. Collaboration, effective communication, curiosity, critical thinking to navigate ambiguity, and strong problem-solving skills are the cornerstones of this role.

Key Responsibilities

You'll oversee projects' financial life cycles, spanning setup, budgeting, invoicing, revenue recognition, close-out, and reconciling payables and receivables. You'll also address contract-specific requirements, aligning them with GAAP and/or FAR standards to ensure compliance and financial transparency.
 

Billing and Invoicing

• Prepare, generate, and reconcile invoices accurately in alignment with contract terms, project milestones, and billing schedules.
• Ensure all required documentation accompanies invoices, including pay applications, lien releases and tailored Excel templates to meet client-specific requirements.
• Collaborate with project managers, team members, and other relevant stakeholders to gather necessary information for accurate invoicing.
• Build positive relationships internally and externally, addressing billing inquiries promptly and professionally, with a focus on customer service.
• Monitor accounts receivable for each project, follow up on overdue payments.
• Identify opportunities to improve billing efficiency and accuracy.

Project and Contract Management

• Review client contracts to ensure that billing terms align with the agreed-upon terms and conditions.
• Collaborate with project managers to algin project budgets with financial objectives, provide support with calculations, spreadsheets, and templates.
• Provide insights into revenue recognition analysis and reconciliations.
• Maintain documentation of project files and financial transactions to ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies, and contractual obligations. 
• Coordinate with PMs and Principals for follow up and additional services or change letters and prepare tailored reports and project analyses as requested by Project Managers and Clients.
• Participate in project close out process and perform additional tasks as assigned.

Experience/Education

• 3+ years relevant experience as a Project Accountant in a project-oriented service firm, with a preference for experience working with government agencies in sectors such as transportation, utilities, or health.
• Experience handling job cost rates and navigating billing rate complexities, including direct labor, overhead, and fee rates, within a government contracting environment and across firm fixed price, lump sum, and time & materials (T&M) contracts.
• Proficiency with Deltek Vision or Deltek VantagePoint is required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, data validation, advanced formulas, dashboard creation).
• Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Business, Accounting, Finance, or similar field, or an equivalent combination of education and hands-on experience.

Skills Required

• Solid foundation in government contracting in accordance with GAAP and Federal Accounting Rules (FAR) and understanding of overhead audit requirements.
• Strong understanding of contract and accounting principles, methodologies, and practices.
• Excellent stakeholder coordination skills, capable of supporting diverse groups with varying levels of accounting proficiency while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• High adaptability in fast-paced environments, with a strong focus on time management, detail and accuracy.

Compensation

The full salary range for this position is $71,250 - $99,750 per year. We aim to hire new employees between $71,250 - $90,000 (depending on experience) allowing for future compensation growth within the range based on aptitude in the role, context, progress, and performance against goals over time.

PRR offers a benefit suite including: 

• Health, dental, and vision insurance for full-time employees and their dependents 
• Flexible spending account/dependent care spending account 
• Life insurance 
• Paid family and medical leave 
• Short and long-term disability 
• 401(k) plan with discretionary company match 
• Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) 
• Pet Insurance 
• Employee Assistance Program 
• Professional development training allowances 
• Gym or mass transit subsidy 
• Paid Time Off Benefits include: 
• 120 hours of Paid Time Off 
• 1 week of Paid Sick Time 
• 12 Paid Holidays 

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met successfully in order to perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be expected to work extended hours; including, but not limited to standing or sitting for extended periods. The employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee will regularly operate office equipment.