Senior Project Accountant

Ulta Beauty, Inc.•Bolingbrook, IL

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The General Accounting department is seeking a Senior Project Accountant to support accounting, financial oversight, forecasting, governance, and close activities for the Company’s IT project portfolio, including capital projects, cloud/SaaS initiatives, internal-use software, capitalized labor, and project-related operating expenses. This position serves as the primary accounting resource supporting the Company’s IT project portfolio and a key accounting and finance partner to IT Finance, SPD IT, IT Leadership, FP&A, the Transformation Office, and project and budget owners. The role independently evaluates, researches, documents, and recommends the appropriate accounting treatment for IT project costs, including capitalization, expense classification, cloud/SaaS accounting, and related accounting considerations in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP, including ASC 350-40, ASC 360, and Company accounting policies. The Senior Project Accountant will play a critical role in annual business planning, project intake and governance, monthly close and accruals, project forecasting, SOX support, audit documentation, and continuous process improvement. This role requires strong accounting judgment, technical accounting knowledge, analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA preferred.
3–5+ years of accounting, project accounting, corporate accounting, public accounting, or related finance experience.
Strong technical accounting knowledge, including capital versus expense treatment under applicable U.S. GAAP, including ASC 350-40 and ASC 360.
Experience with internal-use software, cloud computing arrangements, technology project accounting, IT capital project accounting, and related guidance such as ASC 350-40 preferred.
Experience with close processes, forecasting, journal entries, reconciliations, accruals, account analysis, and supporting workpapers.
Strong analytical skills with the ability to investigate variances, identify issues, and document conclusions.
Understanding of financial processes, internal controls, SOX, and audit support requirements.
Demonstrated ability to independently research technical accounting issues, apply professional judgment, and communicate accounting conclusions to management and business partners.
Strong Excel and Microsoft Office skills; SAP experience preferred.
Strong communication, follow-up, and cross-functional partnership skills.
Detail-oriented, self-starting, hands-on, and able to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

CPA preferred.
Experience with internal-use software, cloud computing arrangements, technology project accounting, IT capital project accounting, and related guidance such as ASC 350-40 preferred.
SAP experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Support annual IT project planning by preparing project financial information, validating financial and accounting assumptions, and partnering with Accounting, IT Finance, SPD IT, FP&A, the Transformation Office, and IT Leadership during the planning and budget development process.
Independently evaluate, document, and recommend accounting treatment for IT project costs, including capitalization, expense classification, cloud/SaaS arrangements, internal-use software, capitalized labor, and project operating expenses in accordance with applicable U.S. GAAP and Company accounting policies. Escalate complex or judgmental matters to management for review and approval.
Support project intake and governance by providing accounting guidance on project funding, coding, capitalization considerations, documentation requirements, and capitalization stage assessments consistent with ASC 350-40-25.
Perform monthly, quarterly, and year-end close activities for the IT project portfolio, including accruals, journal entries, reconciliations, SAP actuals, Planview data, account analyses, and supporting workpapers.
Independently analyze financial results, investigate variances, identify project coding or classification issues, develop recommendations, and partner with stakeholders to resolve complex accounting and financial issues.
Maintain project financial trackers and prepare forecast inputs for the IT project portfolio, including capital expenditures, cloud/SaaS costs, capitalized labor, and project operating expenses. Analyze variances, validate assumptions, support the preparation and consolidation of monthly forecasts, and prepare supporting analyses for management review.
Support quarterly CIP reviews, amortization and impairment considerations, SOX controls, internal and external audit requests, and financial reporting requirements related to IT project activity.
Partner with Accounting, IT Finance, SPD IT, FP&A, IT Leadership, project owners, and budget owners to provide accounting guidance, influence project accounting decisions, communicate financial results, and proactively identify financial risks and opportunities.
Provide day-to-day technical guidance, coaching, and training to Project Accountants and cross-functional stakeholders regarding project accounting processes, accounting policies, capitalization requirements, and financial governance.
Prepare technical accounting memoranda, accounting position papers, and supporting analyses for management review to support capitalization decisions, accounting conclusions, policy interpretations, and audit requirements.
Research and interpret applicable accounting guidance, evaluate emerging accounting issues related to technology investments, and provide recommendations to management regarding the appropriate accounting treatment.
Identify and recommend process improvements related to IT project planning, forecasting, financial reporting, project accounting processes, internal controls, and overall financial visibility. Support implementation of approved process improvements.
Perform other routine and non-routine accounting, finance, and project support activities as assigned.