Senior Project Accountant

About SQN

sine qua non: (noun) something considered absolutely essential.

SQN Associates is a woman- and minority-owned company providing Construction Management Program & Project Management and Project Controls services to public and private clients in markets that include Aviation Buildings & Facilities Rail Transit Transportation and Utilities.

Our mission is to be absolutely essential to the success of our clients partners employees and community. Central to this mission is our commitment to a culture of excellence rooted in fostering reliable support and mutual respect for those we work with.

Our definition of success involves more than just hard numbers. We strive to stay true to our core values with every decision that we make at every level. Our culture of excellence inspires us to hold ourselves to the highest standards in everything that we do whether its conducting ourselves with accountability and transparency in our work continually cultivating the capabilities of our team or seeking ways to empower those around us in pursuit of a more diverse equitable and sustainable future. When it comes down to it SQN believes in putting people first.

Our greatest asset is the SQN Team our dedicated and talented employees. By making it our business to take care of them both professionally and personally we make it possible for them to take care of business. Thanks to the enthusiasm of the SQN Team SQN Associates has been named as one of Crains Chicago Business Best Places to Work for multiple years running.

Overview

This position supports firm leadership in managing the financial performance of projects including billing functions financial reporting and operational analysis. The role works closely with project managers and internal stakeholders to help ensure projects are financially well managed and aligned with firm objectives. This is a hybrid position with the expectation that initially the individual in the role will spend more time in the office to support training integrate into the role collaborate with the team and become familiar with the company culture.

Position Type

Full-time salaried (exempt) employee

Organizational Position

Job Title: Senior Project Accountant

Reports to: Controller

Responsible for: N/A

Duties/Responsibilities

The Senior Project Accountant leads invoicing and financial analysis activities related to the firms projects. Specific responsibilities include:

• Analyze project contracts cost sheets and billing provisions to interpret invoicing requirements and confirm alignment with contractual terms client guidelines and firm policies.
• Prepare generate and submit timely client invoices and supporting billing packages applying client-specific requirements and contract terms.
• Interpret and apply contract billing provisions and advise project managers on allowable billings strategies and contract requirements.
• Set up new clients projects contracts subcontracts and change orders in the accounting system.
• Oversee project billing structure and financial setup including establishing invoicing parameters cost allocations and billing guidelines within the accounting system.
• Maintain and periodically review project financial documentation and records including contracts amendments and change orders.
• Review and approve project-related financial transactions including vendor subconsultant and client invoices verifying proper coding accuracy and alignment with project budgets and contract terms.
• Manage project cost allocations and expense transfers between project accounts to maintain accurate financial reporting and alignment with contract requirements.
• Coordinate subconsultant onboarding and billing requirements for prime projects; provide required templates invoicing standards and documentation guidelines.
• Perform financial analysis of project costs budgets and revenue to identify trends risks and opportunities for improved financial performance.
• Lead project variance analysis; provide financial insights and recommendations to project managers and senior leadership.
• Develop and present project profitability reports revenue forecasts and financial dashboards to support leadership decisionmaking.
• Provide supervision mentorship and technical guidance to team members.
• Monitor project budgets labor utilization and contract funding levels; collaborate with project managers to proactively address potential budget or billing issues.
• Lead the timely and accurate preparation and submission of client invoices
• Develop and maintain billing procedures documentation and training materials.
• Coordinate resolution of issues and maintain clear communication with internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide guidance to project managers and accounting staff on billing practices and client requirements.
• Facilitate regular billing and financial review meetings with project managers and leadership supporting timely billing and effective project financial oversight.
• Partner with clients accounting teams to resolve billing issues track receivables and support timely collections.
• Other duties as required by the project client or SQN business needs.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Business Administration or related field (or equivalent experience).
• Minimum of 5 to 7 years of project accounting experience with increasing responsibility in job costing billing and financial analysis within the architecture engineering or construction (A/E/C) industry.
• Strong experience preparing and submitting complex client invoices in accordance with contract terms including time-and-materials (hourly) lump sum not-to-exceed and cost-plus structures.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply contract provisions subcontracts and change orders to ensure accurate billing revenue recognition and compliance with client requirements.
• Experience with government and public agency invoicing (e.g. CTA IDOT ISTHA CDOT) and associated documentation requirements is preferred.
• Proven ability to analyze project financial performance including budgets costs revenue and variance analysis and communicate insights to project managers.
• Experience managing project setup and financial structures within an ERP system including contract values billing terms and cost allocations.
• Strong working knowledge of project-based ERP/accounting systems (e.g. JAMIS Prime or similar); advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel required.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate cross-functionally with project managers accounting staff and clients.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently exercise sound judgment and take ownership of project financial outcomes.
• Experience providing guidance or informal mentorship to junior staff or supporting process improvements is a plus.

Physical Requirements

The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job absent undue hardship. While performing the functions of the job the employee must be able to:

• Clearly communicate information and ideas to others
• Operate a computer other office productivity tools and work-related instruments
• Remain in a stationary position for long periods of time
• Observe details at close range
• Move items weighing up to 25 pounds

Working Conditions

• General office environment

Compensation & Benefits

SQN offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to all eligible employees that consists of:

• Competitive base pay (annual base pay $95000 to $115000)
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Medical dental and vision coverage plan options
• Company-paid life insurance and short-term/long-term disability
• 401k plan with an employer safe harbor contribution
• Paid time off
• Paid company holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Professional development assistance licensure and professional membership reimbursement
• Company-sponsored social events
• Pre-tax commuter benefit
• Health savings accounts with employer contribution
• Health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Annual wellness reimbursement
• Voluntary life and accident insurance
• Voluntary critical illness and hospital indemnity insurance
• Pet insurance

EEO Statement

SQN Associates LLC is an equal opportunity accordance with applicable law we prohibit discrimination against any applicant employee or other covered person based on any legally recognized basis including but not limited to: veteran status uniformed servicemember status race color caste immigration status religion religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices) sex gender gender expression gender identity marital status sexual orientation pregnancy (including childbirth lactation or related medical conditions) age national origin or ancestry citizenship physical or mental disability genetic information (including testing and characteristics) protected leave status domestic violence victim status or any other consideration protected by federal state or local law. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations; if you need an accommodation to complete the application process please contact us via our website at .