Senior Project Cost Accountant

GMRE•South Weber, UT

13h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Project Cost Accountant is responsible for full-cycle contract financial management across assigned government programs. This role exists to support the growing volume and complexity of GMRE’s contracts and serves as a dedicated contract accounting resource within Finance. This position focuses exclusively on project and contract accounting functions. The Senior Project Cost Accountant partners with Program Managers to oversee and analyze contract financial performance from set-up through closeout. Responsibilities include cost tracking, disciplined funding management, revenue recognition, forecasting, margin analysis, and financial risk identification. This role reports directly to the Financial Operations Manager and operates with significant autonomy within established financial controls. The Senior Project Cost Accountant provides financial analysis and recommendations while escalating material risks, funding concerns, or compliance issues as appropriate. This is a hybrid position. The Senior Project Cost Accountant must work in the office at least 3 days per week. Fridays are designated work-from-home days, and the employee may choose one additional remote day (Monday–Thursday). A consistent weekly schedule must be defined and maintained. Any changes to this schedule must be approved by the Financial Operations Manager in advance.

Requirements

Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and project-based accounting principles.
Working knowledge of government contracting regulations, including the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Joint Travel Regulations (JTR), and Federal Travel Regulation (FTR). Demonstrated ability to interpret regulatory guidance, research requirements, and apply sound judgment when advising Program Managers or escalating questions within Finance.
Direct experience with job costing in a contract-driven environment (government contracting, construction, manufacturing, or similarly regulated industry).
Experience operating in a compliance-driven or regulated accounting environment.
Familiarity with revenue recognition, contract funding structures, and cost tracking methodologies.
Understanding of indirect rate and burden application concepts.
Familiarity with Earned Value Management (EVM) principles, including cost performance analysis, schedule performance metrics, and variance interpretation.
Advanced Excel proficiency required, including financial modeling, multi-tab forecast development, cost-to-complete analysis, pivot tables, lookups, and data manipulation tools (Power Query or equivalent). Ability to build structured, defensible forecasting models with built-in controls and validation checks.
Demonstrated ability to independently manage multiple complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
Working knowledge of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems (PROCAS preferred).
Strong analytical judgment and ability to identify financial risk early.
Clear, confident communication skills and ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams.
Excellent attention to detail, organizational skills, and follow-through to ensure tasks are completed accurately and on time.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required.
5+ years of progressive cost accounting experience or contract/project accounting experience.
Government contract accounting experience strongly preferred; construction or manufacturing job costing experience considered with demonstrated ability to learn federal contract requirements.
Experience with forecasting, revenue recognition, and financial analysis required.
This position does not require security clearance; however, the ability to obtain a clearance may be necessary if assigned to a contract requiring access to classified information.
A valid driver’s license is required, as occasional driving or renting a vehicle for company-related travel may be necessary for insurance purposes.
The position requires the ability to pass a background check for access to certain government or military installation bases, if needed for project support.
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Nice To Haves

Experience leveraging data analytics or reporting tools to improve financial visibility is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage project financials from contract setup through closeout.
Establish and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) and charge number integrity in coordination with Contracts and Program Management.
Monitor funded value versus cost incurred and proactively address potential overruns or funding gaps.
Prepare and validate project-level revenue recognition calculations in alignment with contract type and corporate policy.
Prepare project-related journal entries, accruals, and adjustments in accordance with established financial controls.
Maintain contract modification tracking and ensure financial system updates are timely and accurate.
Identify financial risk drivers including cost growth, labor inefficiencies, subcontract overruns, and margin pressures; recommend corrective action.
Prepare and submit government and prime contractor invoices in compliance with contract terms and billing requirements.
Ensure project costs are allowable and properly documented in accordance with contract provisions and internal policy.
Maintain complete and organized billing documentation to support strong internal controls.
Track and support required contract-specific financial reporting, such as General Services Administration (GSA) Industrial Funding Fees (IFF), Contract Access Fees (CAF), and other deliverables.
Lead development and validation of Estimates to Complete (ETCs) and Estimates at Completion (EACs) in partnership with Program Managers.
Perform variance analysis against baseline budgets and prior forecasts.
Analyze labor utilization, subcontract performance, burn rates, and cost-to-complete projections.
Provide monthly project financial reporting, including margin analysis, funding status, and performance trends.
Support company-level forecasting and rate modeling by providing accurate project-level data inputs.
Present project financial performance to Program Managers and Finance leadership as assigned.
Collaborate with Program Management to support Earned Value Management (EVM) processes, including cost and schedule performance analysis, variance identification, and forecast accuracy.
Serve as the primary financial resource to assigned Program Managers for contract performance insight.
Collaborate with Contracts to ensure contract modifications and funding updates are accurately reflected in financial systems.
Contribute to the continuous improvement of project financial reporting and controls.
Participate in team meetings and training(s) to develop knowledge of systems and financial workflows.
Support training and guidance of other Project Cost Accountants as assigned.