Project Accountant

MSS Solutions•Charlotte, NC

2d•Onsite

About The Position

MSS Solutions LLC is hiring a Project Accountant for its Raleigh / Zebulon office. The role focuses on accurate, timely construction project billing and requires working knowledge of work-in-progress reporting and basic construction project accounting. The successful candidate will manage assigned projects, billing requirements, deadlines, documentation, and follow-up while communicating with project teams and other departments. The Project Accountant prepares AIA and standard billings, reviews contracts and billing instructions, maintains Schedule of Values, incorporates approved change orders, assembles supporting documentation, and submits billing packages through customer portals. The role also involves reviewing WIP reports and project costs, tracking retainage and sales tax billing, maintaining audit documentation, following up with customers after invoice submission, and transitioning billing information to Accounts Receivable. Additional duties include basic project maintenance in Vista ERP, project close activities, attending meetings, supporting audits, responding to job-cost requests, and periodic visits to regional offices, which may require overnight travel.

Requirements

At least two years of related experience in construction accounting, job cost, project billing, or construction project accounting.
An associate’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related field, or equivalent experience.
Basic understanding of accounting principles and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to manage a high volume of projects and multiple billing deadlines.
Basic understanding of WIP reports and project financial information, including revenue earned, underbillings, overbillings, and percentage-of-completion concepts, with willingness to develop these skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to collaborate across multiple departments and divisions.
Strong attention to detail and accurate documentation.
Basic understanding of audit documentation and record-retention requirements.
Experience with financial software and ERP or project accounting systems; proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Must successfully pass a background check.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Familiarity with AIA billing, Schedules of Values (SOV), lien waivers, change orders, and contract-based billing.
Experience with Viewpoint Vista.

Responsibilities

Prepare and submit AIA and standard billings in accordance with contract requirements.
Review construction contracts and customer billing instructions to identify billing requirements, deadlines, forms, and supporting documentation.
Maintain and use construction project Schedules of Values when preparing billings, following project-team guidance.
Review approved change orders and ensure applicable changes are reflected in contract values, Schedules of Values, and billings.
Collect and submit lien waivers and other required supporting documentation.
Meet customer billing deadlines and internal due dates.
Review basic project costs or Accounts Payable details as needed to support billing and investigate unusual items.
Ensure billing packages are complete, accurate, and properly supported before submission.
Submit billings through customer portals as required and retain completed billing packages in the designated audit folder.
Monitor assigned projects' billing requirements, deadlines, follow-up items, and required documentation.
Review WIP reports, including revenue earned, billings to date, costs to date, underbillings, overbillings, and basic variances, and communicate concerns as appropriate.
Compare billing activity with WIP reports, contract requirements, Schedules of Values, and project-team information.
Process sales tax billing separately when required and maintain applicable documentation.
Track retainage withheld and identify when it may be ready for billing or release.
Review contract values, approved change orders, Schedules of Values, billings to date, and remaining balances for accuracy and alignment.
Attend project meetings as needed.
Perform basic project accounting and project maintenance activities in the Vista ERP system.
Complete job-close activities after a Project Manager identifies and approves a project for closure.
Follow up with customers approximately three business days after invoice submission to confirm receipt, verify documentation, and determine payment-processing status; conduct additional follow-ups as needed.
Document customer responses and transition billings to Accounts Receivable for collection, including relevant notes, contact information, payment status, and outstanding concerns.
Collaborate with Accounts Payable when vendor invoices, lien waivers, or other AP documentation are needed for billing packages.
Communicate with Project Coordinators, Project Managers, and other team members about billing status, deadlines, WIP activity, outstanding items, and potential concerns, escalating unresolved matters as appropriate.
Attend Job Status Review meetings to ensure job accuracy and timely job closure.
Make periodic visits to regional offices, which may require overnight travel.
Maintain an understanding of project financial impacts by region.
Follow established procedures for clerical, contract-administration, and accounting duties.
Provide documentation for internal and external auditors.
Monitor and respond to job-cost email requests.
Perform other duties and responsibilities assigned by the company.