Project Cost Accountant

Terrahawk LLC•Apex, NC

About The Position

The Project Cost Accountant is responsible for job‑level cost control, reporting, and billing on heavy civil construction projects in the $10–30 million range, ensuring accurate cost data, timely invoicing, and strong financial support to the Project Manager and Superintendent. Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Engineering, or Civil Engineering. 3–5 years of accounting or cost control experience, with at least 2 years in construction; heavy civil or infrastructure experience strongly preferred.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Engineering, or Civil Engineering.
3–5 years of accounting or cost control experience, with at least 2 years in construction; heavy civil or infrastructure experience strongly preferred.
Demonstrated experience with job cost accounting, project cost reporting, and construction billings (AIA pay apps, schedule of values, change orders).
Proficiency with construction accounting or ERP software and advanced Excel skills for cost analysis and reporting.
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a field‑driven environment.
Effective communication skills and ability to work closely with Project Managers, Superintendents, estimators, and corporate accounting staff.

Responsibilities

Track, code, and review all project costs (labor, equipment, materials, subs, rentals, trucking, indirects) for accuracy, proper cost code allocation, and compliance with company policies.
Set up and maintain project job cost structure (cost codes, budgets, phases) in the company’s accounting and project management systems at project start‑up.
Prepare monthly project cost reports, including cost‑to‑date, committed cost, cost‑to‑complete, and forecast at completion, and review them with the Project Manager.
Monitor budget vs. actual performance at the cost‑code level, identify variances and trends, and flag potential overruns early to the project team.
Support owner billing: assemble and prepare monthly pay applications (schedule of values, backup, lien waivers, change orders, stored materials, etc.) to meet contract and owner requirements.
Administer subcontractor and vendor pay applications, verify quantities and backup, route for approvals, and coordinate timely payment consistent with contract terms.
Manage the change management cost process: track potential change items, obtain and review subcontractor and supplier quotes, maintain a project change log, and ensure approved changes are reflected in budgets and forecasts.
Assist with project cash‑flow forecasting by timing billings, receipts, and major cost events, and communicate impacts to project and accounting leadership.
Maintain complete, organized project financial files for internal review, external audit, and tax documentation (including job cost reports, invoices, POs, subcontracts, change orders, and correspondence).
Ensure revenue recognition and cost recognition on assigned projects follow company policy and generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including percentage‑of‑completion where used.
Support certified payroll and other compliance reporting on public or DOT work, as required.
Participate in project close‑out by reconciling final costs, verifying all billings and payments are complete, and preparing final cost summaries and margin analysis.