Construction Senior Project Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Senior Project Accountant

Department: Finance

Reports to: Vice President

Location: 5440 N. Cumberland Ave., Chicago IL 60656

Employment Type: Full-time benefits eligible

Join ONeill Where Your Impact Matters

ONeill Contractors, Inc. has an exceptional opportunity for a financial manager to establish themselves with a growing company offering the potential for future personal growth and leadership opportunities. ONeill, a growing design/build construction company performing work in the federal sector. We are looking for a self-driven talented construction accountant who has aspirations for advancement.

Job Summary

The Senior Project Accountant oversees the financial management, reporting, and analysis of construction projects from setup through closeout. This role ensures accurate project financials, compliance with contract requirements, and timely company reporting while serving as a key partner to Operations, Finance, Project Managers, and leadership . The Senior Project Accountant ensures accounting practices align with company policy and GAAP and provides the financial insight needed to drive project and business performance.

Responsibilities

● Lead project set up and financial administration, including budgets, cost codes, contracts, change orders, and billing terms.

● Monitor job costs, commitments, subcontracts, change orders, and project performance from start through closeout.

● Prepare and manage owner billings, including AIA applications, schedules of values, stored materials, retainage, and supporting documentation.

● Ensure project transactions are accurately coded, complete, and recorded in the proper accounting period.

● Perform monthly project reconciliations and support WIP schedules and revenue recognition.

● Partner with Project Managers to analyze job costs, margins, variances, and forecasts, including estimate-at-completion and cost-to-complete reporting.

● Review subcontractor and vendor invoices for contract compliance and required documentation, including lien waivers, insurance, bonds, and certified payroll.

● Support project cash flow and collections through billing coordination, payment tracking, and retainage management.

● Lead financial aspects of project closeout, including final billing, retainage, outstanding obligations, and documentation.

● Deliver monthly financial reporting, variance analysis, and ad hoc reporting to Operations and leadership.

● Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end close, including accruals, reconciliations, and revenue recognition.

● Maintain compliance with GAAP, internal controls, company policies, contract requirements, and reporting obligations.

● Support internal and external audits by preparing schedules, documentation, and audit responses.

● Apply strong knowledge of construction accounting, percentage-of-completion, WIP, retainage, and job cost controls.

● Identify and implement process improvements that increase accuracy, efficiency, and consistency.

● Serve as a financial business partner to Project Managers, Operations, and executive leadership, providing actionable insight into project performance and risk.

● Strengthen alignment between Finance and Operations through clear communication around project status, risks, and reporting.

● Help establish and standardize project accounting, billing, documentation, and financial control best practices.

Skills & Qualifications

● Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required (CPA Preferred).

● 5+ years of progressive construction accounting experience , including WIP, revenue recognition, and month-end close.

● Strong underst