Construction Cost Accountant

MCS of Tampa•Tampa, FL

6d•Onsite

About The Position

MCS is hiring for a Construction Cost Accountant in Tampa, FL. This is a full-time, on-site, permanent position with benefits. The Construction Cost Accountant is responsible for improving the financial performance and cash flow of our construction operations. This position will work closely with Accounting, Project Management, and Operations to ensure project costs are accurately captured, work is billed timely, receivables are collected, and financial risks are identified before they impact working capital. The Construction Cost Accountant must understand the complete financial lifecycle of a construction project—from budget and cost tracking through WIP, billing, collections, and closeout. This position requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work directly with operational leaders to turn project activity into predictable financial results.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred.
5+ years of accounting experience, preferably within construction, specialty contracting, engineering, or another project-based environment.
Strong knowledge of construction cost accounting and Work-in-Progress (WIP) reporting.
Experience with project budgeting, forecasting, cost-to-complete analysis, billing, and accounts receivable.
Understanding of percentage-of-completion accounting and construction revenue recognition.
Ability to analyze project financial information and identify cost, margin, billing, and cash-flow risks.
Construction and federal contracting experience highly desired.
Experience with Trimble Viewpoint/Vista, Timberline, or similar construction accounting/ERP systems preferred.
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and the ability to analyze large amounts of financial and project data.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail.
Ability to communicate financial information effectively with Project Managers and operational leadership.
High level of integrity, accountability, urgency, and ownership.
Regular attendance following an established work schedule is mandatory.
It is important to be able to work any shift/designated hours required.
You may be asked to continue performance during inclement weather or other conditions when others are not permitted to work.
This position may require night and weekend work and could include travel to areas with varying field conditions.
May require climbing ladders, working at heights and in small, confined spaces such as under raised floors, inside closets, and server racks.
Must possess the capability to sit, stoop, kneel, or crouch for extended durations. Will be required to operate in noisy environments with temperatures higher or lower than standard office conditions.
Must be able to lift and move equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Sitting at desk. Phone use and PC/laptop. May require lifting and carrying boxes of supplies or files. Extended periods of sitting while on PC/laptop or phone.
General office equipment includes but is not limited to PCs/laptops, telephones, copiers, servers, switches, routers, and other computer equipment that supports the network environment.
General field equipment includes but is not limited to hand tools, power tools, ladders, aerial/motorized lifts, and test equipment.
This position may require the operation of motor vehicles as an essential job function. Candidates must possess a valid driver's license and a clean driving record. The ability to operate company vehicles safely and responsibly is crucial.
Employees may be subject to periodic motor vehicle record checks, and any discrepancies may impact eligibility for the position.
Employment is contingent upon obtaining and maintaining required certifications or licenses through the duration of the project or contract. Failure to obtain/maintain required certifications will result in disqualification for this position and could result in termination.
Candidate must exhibit a professional behavior that promotes teamwork, fosters cooperation and enhances productivity in the workplace.
Must be well organized with the ability to coordinate, prioritize, and execute multiple tasks simultaneously.
Candidate must have the ability to communicate verbally and in writing to work effectively with various external customers including government, military, and contractor personnel at all levels.
Candidate must be able to communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of the company.
For office environments, grooming and dress are typically business casual but are dependent on the client’s standards.
For field environments, grooming and dress must not pose a safety hazard to yourself or employees working in the same general area. MCS of Tampa employees must adhere to OSHA Standards.
The position for which you are applying for may require a US government security clearance. This is to advise you, that should you be extended an offer, if you possess a dual citizenship (i.e., citizen of the US and another country), to be granted a clearance you will be required to relinquish your citizenship in the foreign country.
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. To request reasonable accommodation, you may contact MCS at 813-872-0217.
MCS maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing including background checks.

Nice To Haves

Construction and federal contracting experience highly desired.
Experience with Trimble Viewpoint/Vista, Timberline, or similar construction accounting/ERP systems preferred.
Travel requirements will vary. Not all positions require travel.
A current passport is required for Overseas travel.

Responsibilities

Managing and analyzing project costs, including labor, material, subcontractor, equipment, and other direct and indirect costs.
Maintaining accurate project budgets, cost codes, commitments, forecasts, and cost-to-complete projections.
Preparing, reviewing, and analyzing Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules and identifying project cost, billing, margin, and cash-flow risks.
Working closely with Project Managers to ensure completed work, change orders, stored materials, and other billable activity are captured and invoiced accurately and timely.
Monitoring underbillings, overbillings, unbilled revenue, retainage, and accounts receivable and proactively resolving issues that delay cash collection.
Reviewing project billing schedules and contract requirements to identify opportunities to accelerate billing and improve cash conversion.
Tracking project receivables and coordinating with Project Managers, customers, and Accounting to resolve outstanding invoices and collection issues.
Identifying projects where costs are being incurred faster than revenue is being billed or cash is being collected and escalating concerns to leadership.
Performing project margin analysis and investigating variances between budgeted, committed, actual, and forecasted costs.
Reviewing purchase orders, subcontractor commitments, invoices, and project expenditures for proper coding and alignment with project budgets.
Supporting monthly project financial reviews with Accounting, Operations, and Project Management.
Assisting Project Managers with financial forecasting, cost-to-complete estimates, billing projections, and project closeout.
Reconciling project accounting information with the General Ledger and ensuring project financial data is accurate and complete.
Developing reporting and financial analysis that gives leadership visibility into project profitability, working capital, billing performance, collections, and cash-flow exposure.
Supporting month-end and year-end close, audits, and other accounting activities as required.