Senior Accountant, Design-Build

Merus•Cincinnati, OH

10h

About The Position

Merus is seeking a Senior Accountant for its Finance & Accounting department. The role collaborates with Design-Build construction teams and leadership, along with Finance & Accounting leadership across markets, to support complete and accurate financial controls and reporting for the company’s product lines. The successful candidate is self-starting, ambitious, attentive to detail, and able to drive results in a fast-paced environment. The Senior Accountant supports project and company financial reporting, contract management, project financial management, billing, and invoicing. The role analyzes financial performance and project risks, supports project budgets and forecasts, oversees job-cost accuracy and project setup and closeout, and works with project teams, owners, vendors, and subcontractors. It also contributes to external audits, system implementations, and process improvements that strengthen controls and efficiency. The position involves normal office safety hazards and occasional observational visits to construction sites. The work is performed in an average office environment with average noise levels and an ambient temperature of 68–76°F; no personal protective equipment is required. Physical effort is low and includes sitting, standing at files, bending, stooping, lifting, and walking. The maximum unassisted lift is 35 pounds, with an average lift of less than 10 pounds. The role requires keyboard and monitor use, verbal communication in person and by telephone, and may require some travel by car.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
At least 2 years of accounting experience in a staff or senior role.
Excellent analytical skills and ability to interpret complex financial data and generate meaningful insights.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with strong Excel skills.
Demonstrated understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
Ability to communicate effectively and collaborate with individuals of diverse backgrounds and at all organizational levels.
Ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple priorities while being detail-oriented.
Ability to manage change and adapt to changing processes and procedures.
Initiative to continue learning and broaden accounting and industry knowledge.

Responsibilities

Perform financial analysis to identify trends, variances, and opportunities to improve project and company financial performance.
Attend monthly Design-Build results reviews with executive leadership and Accounting, and escalate risks to project margins.
Analyze insurance, technology, and warranty costs and recommend appropriate billing treatment.
Proactively elevate project concerns or margin risks to management.
Generate job financial reporting metrics for the monthly financial reporting package.
Present financial data and analysis to stakeholders and management, highlighting key performance indicators and financial metrics.
Support external auditors during the annual financial statement audit.
Participate in system implementations and lead process improvements to strengthen internal controls, reporting, and operational efficiency.
Ensure estimates are prepared, supported by bids, and reviewed by appropriate management before owner contracts are entered into.
Review subcontractor contracts to confirm bidding processes were followed and final costs align with budgets.
Facilitate subcontractor prequalification reviews, assess financial risks, and escalate concerns to leadership.
Oversee project setup and closeout across systems, ensuring financial accuracy, reconciliation, and compliance with procedures.
Track and analyze project costs and maintain accurate and complete financial records.
Work with project managers to monitor budget variances, determine their causes, and report them to Design-Build and Finance & Accounting leadership.
Forecast project costs, revenue, and margins with the Design-Build team to support decision-making.
Identify cost-saving opportunities and recommend corrective actions for budget overruns or financial risks.
Assess project financial risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Oversee timecard processing and payroll-related job-cost allocations; review labor costs and resolve discrepancies.
Review monthly job-cost activity and ensure subcontractor and internal costs are coded consistently and properly.
Monitor job overbilling and underbilling, accounts receivable, and accounts payable; ensure timely billing and report collection risks.
Monitor job buyout status against contracts.
Ensure subcontractor invoices are submitted on time and work with subcontractors and project managers to confirm accuracy and proper coding.
Communicate with vendors and subcontractors to resolve invoicing discrepancies.
Prepare and oversee monthly invoicing to owners.
Address subcontractor and owner questions related to project billing and invoicing.
Communicate effectively and work collaboratively with people of diverse backgrounds and at all organizational levels.
Organize, prioritize, and manage multiple priorities while maintaining attention to detail.
Adapt to changes in processes and procedures.
Use technology to improve process and task efficiency, and continue learning about accounting and the industry.
Perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.