Project Accountant (Project Financial Controller)

High Light Electric•Colton, CA

5d•$82,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Project Accountant serves as the financial operations controller for an assigned Area, supporting multiple concurrent projects. This role ensures structured financial setup, disciplined cost tracking, organized billing, compliant payroll reporting, and reliable cash flow coordination across all active projects. As Mendoza Companies transitions from a family-operated construction company into a structured, multi-business-unit organization under Mission 2040, strong financial systems are essential to scalability. The Project Accountant plays a key role in installing and maintaining those systems—protecting margin, compliance, and liquidity while supporting operational execution. This role will work in close coordination with the incoming Director of Construction Finance and will help establish structured financial operating procedures during this growth phase. As financial leadership infrastructure expands, collaboration rhythms and submission workflows may evolve. This is not a clerical role. It is a structured accounting position embedded within operations, responsible for financial accuracy, documentation control, and organized reporting throughout the project lifecycle.

Requirements

Minimum 3–5 years in construction accounting or project financial administration.
Direct involvement in job cost systems and cost code management.
Experience supporting or preparing Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules.
Exposure to billing cycles, lien documentation, and certified payroll processes.
Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field OR Recognized accounting certification demonstrating formal training in accounting principles

Responsibilities

Enter project budgets and load cost codes based on estimating data.
Maintain accurate job cost records across multiple projects.
Issue purchase orders after PM approval and assign proper cost codes.
Enter approved change orders and validate calculations.
Prepare and submit contract-compliant billing packages and compile billing documentation.
Monitor outstanding billings and support collection follow-up.
Assist in preparation and coordination of stop notices and mechanic’s lien documentation under the direction of the Director of Construction Finance or Executive leadership.
Process vendor and subcontractor invoices.
Prepare weekly accounts payable check run packages.
Verify compliance status prior to payment inclusion.
Coordinate subcontractor lien releases.
Review certified payroll and subcontractor compliance documentation.
Support union dispatch coordination as needed.
Prepare monthly WIP draft support data.
Identify and communicate early cost variances.
Maintain audit-ready financial documentation.
Participate in Area financial review meetings.
Attend quarterly workshops, leadership sessions, and training initiatives.
Serve as financial recorder and Secretary, as needed, in Area DML10 meetings