Project Controller

Thales • Overland Park, KS

3d • $83,325 - $147,157 • Hybrid

About The Position

Thales is seeking a Project Controller to independently manage day-to-day project accounting and financial analysis for a portfolio of complex projects. The portfolio includes multiple projects valued at more than $20 million, with combined annual revenues of approximately $35–40 million. The role reports to the Financial Controller and partners with Business Controllers and Project Managers to maintain accurate financial records, analyze costs and performance, support forecasting and billing, and identify financial risks and opportunities.

The Project Controller applies accounting knowledge and professional judgment to resolve project accounting issues, explain financial variances, and recommend actions that support cost control, margin performance, and cash collection. The position operates within established accounting policies, contractual requirements, and financial controls. It is hybrid, based in Salt Lake City, Utah and/or Overland Park, Kansas, and requires the successful completion of a post-offer background check. The position requires the candidate to be a US Person as defined in applicable law and legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Three or more years of relevant accounting or financial analysis experience, including project accounting, contract accounting, or comparable experience supporting complex financial activities.
• Working knowledge of project accounting principles, including project costing, revenue recognition, reconciliations, budgeting, forecasting, and financial controls.
• Experience independently managing assigned accounting activities, investigating discrepancies, resolving nonroutine issues within established policies, and using an ERP system to review transactions, maintain financial records, and analyze project or business performance.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including PivotTables, lookup functions, and analysis of large financial datasets.
• Ability to evaluate financial results, identify risks and trends, translate findings into clear recommendations, and communicate financial information effectively to financial and nonfinancial stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage competing priorities, meet reporting deadlines, work independently, and collaborate effectively with Project Managers, Business Controllers, and other stakeholders.
• Must be a US Person as defined in applicable law.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer at the time of hire; the position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or assumption of sponsorship now or in the future.

Nice To Haves

• Experience using SAP financial and project accounting modules.
• Experience supporting large, multi-year projects or programs.
• Experience with Time and Material and Cost Plus contract billing.
• Experience supporting internal or external audits.
• Experience identifying and implementing accounting process improvements.
• Experience supporting project accounting and financial reporting in a complex business environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage project accounting activities for assigned projects, ensuring financial information is accurate, complete, and timely throughout the project lifecycle.
• Review contracts, change orders, and other modifications for accounting, billing, cost, and cash-flow implications.
• Establish and maintain project budgets, cost structures, and expenditure authorizations in the ERP system, consistent with approved bids, contracts, and changes.
• Analyze project costs, commitments, work in progress, revenues, margins, and cash performance.
• Partner with Project Managers to review estimates to complete and estimates at completion, challenge assumptions, incorporate foreseeable changes into forecasts, and assess contingencies, provisions, and contractual or financial exposures.
• Prepare project financial reports and dashboards; reconcile project accounting entries and balances; support revenue recognition and period-end close.
• Prepare timely and accurate Time and Material and Cost Plus billings in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Monitor billing status, unbilled balances, and receivables; coordinate resolution of discrepancies and support timely cash collection.
• Provide financial analysis and project assumptions for annual budgets, multi-year plans, and periodic forecasts.
• Resolve nonroutine project accounting discrepancies and apply and monitor project financial controls.
• Identify control gaps and recommend process and data-quality improvements.
• Prepare audit support documentation and provide guidance to project stakeholders.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Elective health, dental, and vision coverage.
• Flexible spending and health savings accounts (FSA/HSA).
• Voluntary Life and AD&D, Whole Group Life with LTC, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity, and Accident Insurance.
• Legal Plan, Identity Theft coverage, and Pet Insurance.
• Retirement Savings Plan after 30 days of employment, with a company contribution and match and no vesting period.
• Company-paid holidays and Paid Time Off.
• Company-provided Life Insurance, AD&D, Disability coverage, Employee Assistance Plan, and Well-being Program.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level