Project Accountant

Westphal & Company is a family-owned electrical construction firm that is celebrating our 92nd anniversary. We are a professional company filled with friendly, smart, and motivated people who enjoy our co-workers and jobs. Due to growth, we are adding a Project Accountant to our Accounting team. This is a full time, onsite position, reporting to the CFO, with flexible hours between the hours of 6:30 am and 5:00 pm.

The Job:

This position is responsible for ensuring information reported on projects is accurate, complete, and timely, assuring all project expenses are tracked and billed according to contract terms. The incumbent will work directly with project managers to prepare change order requests, track project costs, keep project teams informed, and assure good project results. This role keeps the project manager and accounting management aware of each project’s progress and overall financial results via data analysis and reporting. This role will follow-up on aging accounts receivable, perform month-end project accounting activities such as project balances, revenue forecasts, invoice requests, and various project close-out activities. There will be regular and frequent interaction with both internal and external customers.
Essential Functions:
Accounting Responsibilities

• Review contracts and identify contractual terms for billing purposes
• Monitor, track, and analyze all job costs
• Understand, create, and produce job cost/analysis reports as requested by Project Manager
• Manage project files in accordance with company policies
• Manage change orders, including tracking of costs related to change orders.
• Prepare, process, and follow up on billings
• Fixed price billings – Prepare billings for fixed price contracts at the direction of the Project Manager
• Time and material (T&M) billings – Create billing templates and prepare billings for T&M contracts at the direction of the Project Manager. Confirm that all costs associated with the contract have been properly accounted for and ensure accuracy of billing rates and mark-ups.
• Assure that billings are prepared in accordance with any special requests of our customers

• Monitor accounts receivable
• Set up contract jobs and services jobs in the accounting software
• Enter, review, and manage purchase orders and vendor invoices, including lien waivers
• Manage subcontract agreements including preparation of subcontract document, system entry, and modifications.
• Enter costs related to inventory transactions and equipment transactions
• Transfer costs as needed to / from contract jobs and service jobs
• Assist with requests for proposals including bid forms
• Provide backup for co-workers as required
• Participate in project review meetings
• Assist with other regular and periodic accounting needs of the company
• Other duties as assigned

Customer Oriented Communication

• Respond to customer requests for account information
• Provide professional communication and exceptional customer service to customers and vendors
• Responsible for direct communication regarding assigned projects
• Act as a resource to internal customers with financial and accounting related project data

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent attention to detail
• Critical thinking skills
• Professional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office
• Independently motivated, strong work ethic with excellent multi-tasking and organizational skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment, working well under pressure with minimum supervision
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information
• Ability to work well in a collaborative environment

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's or Associate degree in accounting or equivalent experience. 3 – 5 years professional experience, construction industry preferred. Accounting skills and experience with basic business finance desired.

Physical Requirements:

Must be able to alternate between sitting and standing in a general office environment. Some travel to other offices or job sites will be required. Ability to navigate construction job sites with or without accommodation.

Location:

This is a full-time position and attendance is required at the main office located in Madison, WI.

Westphal & Company is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Physical setting:

• Office

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus pay