Accountant, Design-Build

Merus•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

Merus is expanding its Finance and Accounting team with an Accountant who will collaborate with Design-Build construction teams and Finance and Accounting leadership across its markets. The role supports complete and accurate financial controls and reporting for the company’s product lines. The successful candidate is a self-starter with urgency who can work in a fast-paced environment, drive results, and make an impact through attention to detail. The Accountant performs financial analysis and reporting, participates in project reviews, and supports contract management and project financial management. Responsibilities also include project setup and closeout, job-cost review, budget and risk monitoring, payroll labor allocation, billing, invoicing, and communication with owners, vendors, and subcontractors. The role provides support for the annual external financial statement audit, system implementations, testing, and process improvements. The position involves normal office safety hazards and occasional observational visits to construction sites. The work environment is an average inside office with average noise levels and an ambient temperature of 68°F to 76°F; personal protective equipment is not required. Physical effort is low and includes sitting, standing at files, bending, stooping, lifting, and walking. The maximum unassisted lift is 35 pounds, while the average lift is less than 10 pounds. The role requires keyboard and monitor use and verbal communication in person and by telephone, and may require some travel by car. Other reasonably related duties may be assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
At least one year of accounting experience.
Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret complex financial data and generate meaningful insights.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with strong Excel skills.
Understanding of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP).
Ability to communicate effectively and work cooperatively and collaboratively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and at all organizational levels.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple priorities while remaining detail-oriented.
Ability to manage change and adapt to changing processes and procedures.
Initiative to continue learning and broaden accounting and industry knowledge.
Proficiency in using technology to improve process and task efficiency.
Ability to use a keyboard and monitor and communicate verbally in person and by telephone.
Ability to lift up to 35 pounds without assistance; average lifting is less than 10 pounds.
May be required to travel by car.

Responsibilities

Perform financial analysis to identify trends, variances, and areas for improvement in project and company financial performance.
Attend monthly project-specific Design-Build reviews with project teams, including project managers and directors.
Analyze insurance, technology, and warranty costs and recommend appropriate billing treatment.
Proactively elevate project concerns or risks to project margins to management.
Generate job financial reporting metrics for the monthly financial reporting package.
Present financial data and analysis to project stakeholders and management, highlighting key performance indicators and financial metrics.
Support external auditors during the annual financial statement audit.
Support system implementations, testing, and process improvements to improve accounting accuracy and efficiency.
Ensure estimates are prepared, substantiated with bids, and reviewed by appropriate management before owner contracts are entered into.
Review subcontractor contracts to confirm bidding processes were followed and final costs align with budgets.
Coordinate subcontractor prequalification through Highwire, including documentation review and follow-up on outstanding requirements.
Coordinate project setup and closeout across accounting and project management systems, ensuring complete and accurate financial records.
Track and analyze project costs and ensure financial records are accurate and complete.
Collaborate with project managers to monitor budget variances, understand their causes, and report them to Design-Build and Finance and Accounting leadership.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and address budget overruns or financial risks.
Assess financial risks associated with projects.
Process employee timecards and allocate payroll-related labor costs to projects for accurate and timely job costing.
Review monthly job-cost activity and ensure consistent, proper coding of subcontractor and internal costs.
Monitor job overbilling and underbilling, accounts receivable, and accounts payable; ensure timely billing and report collection risks.
Monitor job buyout status against contracts.
Ensure subcontractor invoices are submitted on time and work with subcontractors and project managers to ensure accurate, properly coded invoices.
Communicate with vendors and subcontractors to resolve invoicing discrepancies.
Prepare monthly owners’ invoices.
Address subcontractor and owner inquiries related to project billing and invoicing.
Perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.