Senior Accountant - Operational Finance (Des Moines)

Turner Construction Company•West Des Moines, IA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Turner Construction is seeking a Senior Accountant - Operational Finance to oversee and manage accounting operations for large-scale construction projects. This role involves leading financial reporting, implementing internal controls, and advising project teams on financial strategies, project fiscal health, profitability, and risk. The Senior Accountant will serve as a key finance partner to project management, proactively identifying issues, resolving complex accounting matters, and driving process improvements. This position is based in West Des Moines, IA and is not a remote or hybrid role.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree from accredited degree program in Accounting, Finance, or related field of study, with minimum of 4 years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Advanced knowledge of Finance policies and procedures with thorough application of General Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) (e.g., journal entries, general ledger)
Familiar with General & Administrative (G&A) cost allocation, budgeting, and forecasting methods applicable to construction office operations
Knowledge of Accounts Payable/Accounts Receivable best practices (e.g., invoice exception resolution, vendor/customer account maintenance)
Ability to manage competing activities, requests, and short-cycle deadlines
Analytic ability to review and assess financial data, identify risks interpret trends, and recognize inconsistencies
Ability to read and understand financial reports and understand accounting implications of various contract terms
Experience managing cash flow and able to implement procedures to optimize profitability
Exercise independent judgment and discretion with ability to identify issues (including profitability and risk), make recommendations for resolution, and able to resolve or escalate issues in a timely manner
Must be self-starter, adaptable and flexible to operate with minimal direction and supervision while working in fast-paced and changing environment
Able to maintain internal controls and confidentiality requirements when handling sensitive financial information
Able to lead continuous improvement discussions and implement suggestions to improve overall finance operations

Nice To Haves

Construction industry experience, desired but not required
Experience as supervisor/team lead desired with ability to influence without authority, and partner with stakeholders

Responsibilities

Design, implement, and oversee procedures supporting accounting operations for complex construction projects.
Maintain and update project-specific training materials to support project accounting staff and teams for consistency in processes and procedures.
Provide clear communication to Finance and project management teams regarding financial strategies, project financial performance, profitability and risk profile utilizing project-level finance dashboard.
Oversee and provide strategic direction on client contract analysis, ensuring accurate interpretation of billing terms, payment conditions, reimbursable structures, insurance provisions, and approved billing rates. Serve as a subject matter expert and escalation point for complex contractual matters.
Implement and enforce effective financial internal controls to ensure A/P and A/R accuracy, policy compliance and accountability across finance and project teams.
Strengthen segregation of duties and approval workflows per Signing Authority & Approval Matrix (SAAM), periodically review access, delegation of authority, and control documentation; escalate control gaps and recommend solutions.
Establish and direct audit and review processes for client billing and project ledgers for compliance with contract requirements, GAAP, and company policy. Oversee alignment between billing, cost reporting, and project forecasts, and drive corrective actions for discrepancies.
Oversee revenue recognition and job cost accounting for complex arrangements (e.g., joint ventures, change orders, claims, and contract modifications) ensuring alignment with GAAP and company policy.
Manage and review deliverables for internal and external audits (including joint venture and client audits), ensuring timely responses, complete documentation, and effective implementation of remediation actions.
Own and manage project cash flow strategy, including oversight of over/under billing positions, payment performance, and profitability. Proactively identify financial risks and lead cross-functional coordination with client finance teams, vendors, and internal stakeholders to mitigate issues and optimize financial outcomes.
Oversee subcontractor invoice processing and ensure financial and contractual compliance prior to payment release, including validation of approvals, insurance, payroll requirements, and lien waivers. Manage risk-related documentation and ensure appropriate approvals for subcontractors under financial risk plans.
Oversee and manage month-end close activities for assigned projects to support accurate and timely owner invoicing. Direct and review expense recognition processes, including accruals, journal entries, and intercompany charges, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established financial controls and reporting requirements.