Project Accountant

Hughes Marino•Irvine, CA

1d•$75,000 - $95,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Hughes Marino is a nationally recognized, award-winning corporate real estate advisory firm specializing in representing occupiers, never landlords. Our Program, Project & Construction Management practice serves as owner's representative and third-party PM for some of the most dynamic companies in the country, guiding clients through complex projects with independent, conflict-free expertise. We are currently seeking a Project Accountant to join our Orange County team, supporting a growing portfolio of hardware technology, advanced manufacturing, and defense technology projects. As Project Accountant, you will be the financial backbone supporting the project management team, working from the owner's side to ensure every dollar is tracked, every invoice is validated, and every budget stays defensible. You will partner closely with project managers and clients to maintain cost integrity, support reporting cycles, and bring rigorous financial discipline to a fast-moving portfolio. This is not a GC accounting role. You operate independently from contractor and design team interests, always in service to the owner's financial objectives.

Requirements

3-5 years of accounting or financial management experience in construction, real estate, or related industry
Experience with construction pay application review, lien waivers, and cost-to-complete forecasting strongly preferred
Strong financial acumen and understanding of project budgeting, cost tracking, and reporting
Familiarity with commercial construction project workflows and vendor invoicing processes
Proficiency in PMIS platforms (Procore, e-Builder, or similar) and advanced Microsoft Excel
Strong understanding of construction cost structures, CSI codes, and budget management principles
Exceptional attention to detail and organizational skills; able to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously
Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable interacting with project managers, clients, and vendors
Self-directed and deadline-driven in a fast-moving, team-oriented environment
Local candidates only: Orange County
Bachelor's degree required in Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or a related field
3–5 years of relevant experience in a financial, project controls, or construction administration role

Nice To Haves

Previous experience supporting or overseeing construction budgets is preferred
Experience with lease terms and Tenant Improvement allowance tracking is a plus

Responsibilities

Review, validate, and process contractor and vendor invoices, pay applications, and lien waivers on behalf of the owner
Maintain project budgets, commitments, and cost-to-complete forecasts across an active project portfolio
Collaborate with project managers to develop and maintain project budgets and forecasts across multiple, concurrent construction projects
Track and review project costs, change orders, and invoices for accuracy and alignment with contracts
Monitor financial performance of active projects and proactively flag variances or cost concerns
Support the preparation of monthly financial reports and client-facing budget updates
Manage financial close-out processes, including reconciliations, final reporting, and documentation
Review leases and work letters for financial terms related to construction and reimbursement
Support TI allowance tracking and reimbursement processing in coordination with project managers and the brokerage team
Reconcile project costs against approved budgets and flag variances for project manager review
Assist with monthly cost reporting, cash flow projections, and executive financial summaries
Maintain accurate records in PMIS platforms (Procore, e-Builder, or similar) and ensure data integrity across all cost tracking tools
Coordinate with external auditors, landlord representatives, and client finance teams as needed
Support project closeout, final lien releases, and financial reconciliation at project completion