Project Cost Accountant
About The Position
The Project Cost Accountant contributes to Wenger Corporation’s customer experience and financial and operational objectives by partnering with manufacturing and project managers to ensure accurate project, inventory, and job valuation. The role analyzes project and product costs, develops costs for new products, and performs margin analysis. It provides timely, accurate financial guidance and analytics to management to inform decision-making. The position is a structured hybrid role based at Wenger Corporation’s facility in Owatonna, Minnesota. Employees work onsite Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, and from a home office on Wednesdays and Fridays. Candidates must live within reasonable commuting distance. Travel is minimal, and the stated shift is office hours.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- At least three years of related accounting experience.
- Cost systems background and understanding of accounting principles.
- Manufacturing experience or background, preferably with a construction organization.
- Strong analytical skills and acute attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to plan, organize, multitask, and work independently to complete goals.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to communicate with all levels of the organization.
- Positive, curious mindset that promotes improvements in operating effectiveness.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Must reside within reasonable commuting distance of the Owatonna, Minnesota facility.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with ERP, MRP, or Project Management software.
- Experience with project accounting.
Responsibilities
- Partner with areas across the organization to analyze, summarize, and report financial performance to support decision-making.
- Participate in Executive Summary reviews to ensure costing build-ups are accurate.
- Participate in monthly Cost to Complete review meetings and record resulting changes and adjustments.
- Investigate project variances promptly and define and implement corrective actions and risk-mitigation efforts.
- Train and work with the Project Management Team on project budgeting, forecasting, tracking actual expenses, and project closeout.
- Ensure known risks, including commodity cost increases and labor or overhead rate variances, are reflected in project budgets and forecasts.
- Assist project managers with change orders and changes in project scope, ensuring system and financial transactions are handled completely and correctly.
- Work with the tax filing team to support sales and use tax accuracy and timeliness on projects.
- Maintain an accurate standard costing system.
- Report inventory and support inventory processes, including physical inventory, cycle counting, and inventory reserve development.
- Perform monthly closing activities, including journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting analysis, ensuring timely and accurate completion.
- Assist with forecasts and the annual budget.
- Prepare supporting documentation for annual audits and tax preparation.
- Monitor compliance with accounting policies and advise management of changes needed to maintain internal controls and accuracy.
- Help drive continuous improvement in accounting and reporting.
Benefits
- Paid time off
- 9 paid holidays
- Profit sharing
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- HSA, FSA, and DCFSA spending accounts
- Company-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match
- Company-paid life insurance
- Supplemental life insurance
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition reimbursement
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
