Operational Accountant

Operational AccountantBlackstone Industrial Services provides innovative, high-quality, and sustainable solutions for critical rotating and static equipment. As one of North America's leading technical service providers, we deliver field services, engineering, repairs, parts, and aftermarket support to customers across the heavy oil and refining, petrochemical, power generation, energy transmission, agriculture, and broader industrial sectors. Our success is built on operational excellence, technical expertise, strong customer relationships, and disciplined financial management. As Blackstone continues to grow across North America and internationally, we are seeking an experienced and motivated Operational Accountant to lead the day-to-day accounting activities of our US Regional Operations and serve as a trusted financial partner to the regional leadership team.Position SummaryReporting to the Corporate Controller, Operational Accounting, the Operational Accountant is responsible for leading the day-to-day accounting activities of Blackstone's US Regional Operations. This position plays a critical role in ensuring the integrity of financial reporting while providing meaningful financial and operational insight that supports sound business decisions across the region. More than a traditional accounting role, the Operational Accountant serves as the primary finance business partner to the US Regional Operations team, working closely with Operations Managers, Project Managers, and Executive Leadership to drive financial performance. The role is responsible for project accounting, job costing, margin analysis, revenue recognition, working capital oversight, and operational reporting, while ensuring accurate financial reporting and strong internal controls. The successful candidate will proactively identify financial risks and opportunities, evaluate business processes, and recommend improvements that enhance operational efficiency, profitability, and decision-making. This individual will combine strong technical accounting expertise with operational and commercial acumen to support the continued growth and success of Blackstone's US Regional Operations. This role is ideal for a collaborative and analytical finance professional who enjoys partnering with operations, challenging the status quo, and delivering practical financial solutions in a dynamic, project-based industrial services environment.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Accounting and ReportingLead the day-to-day accounting activities for the US Regional Operations.Perform full-cycle accounting, including journal entries, accruals, account reconciliations, and month-end and year-end closing activities.Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and ensure transactions are recorded accurately and in the appropriate accounting period.Prepare daily and monthly bank, credit card, intercompany, and balance sheet account reconciliations.Prepare and record monthly revenue, work-in-progress, and expense accruals.Ensure financial records comply with applicable accounting standards, company policies, and internal control requirements.Support external audit, tax, and regulatory reporting requirements as needed.Operational Finance and Business PartnershipServe as the primary finance partner to regional Operations Managers, Project Managers, and the Regional Director.Support operations by providing timely financial information, analysis, and guidance.Prepare and analyze job costing, project profitability, and operational performance reports.Monitor project revenue, costs, labour utilization, gross margins, and forecasted project outcomes.Investigate margin variances and work with operations to understand the underlying business drivers.Participate in weekly and monthly operational review meetings and provide clear financial insight to support decision-making.Assist with the development and monitoring of regional budgets, forecasts, and performance targets.Accounts Payable and Vendor ManagementOversee the processing of vendor invoices and ensure appropriate approvals, coding, and supporting documentation.Maintain accurate vendor records and respond to vendor and service-provider inquiries in a timely manner.Monitor accounts payable aging and ensure payments are made in accordance with company policies and agreed vendor terms.Investigate and resolve vendor discrepancies.Identify opportunities to streamline and automate accounts payable workflows.Accounts Receivable and Working CapitalSupport accounts receivable collections and follow up on outstanding customer balances.Work with operations and project teams to resolve billing issues and customer discrepancies.Monitor receivables, unbilled revenue, work in progress, and other working-capital balances.Provide reporting and analysis to support improvements in billing, collections, and working-capital performance.Business Process Review and Continuous ImprovementReview accounting and operational processes to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, reporting quality, and internal controls.Develop and implement practical process improvements that reduce manual effort and improve the flow of financial information.Document accounting procedures, workflows, and control activities.QualificationsRequired QualificationsBachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, Business, or a related discipline. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.Professional accounting designation or active pursuit of a designation is preferred.Minimum of five years of progressive full-cycle accounting experience.Strong knowledge of general ledger accounting, account reconciliations, accruals, and month-end closing processes.Demonstrated experience with project accounting, job costing, revenue recognition, and margin analysis.Experience supporting operational leaders through financial analysis and business partnering.Experience with accounts payable, accounts receivable, working capital, and financial reporting.Experience with sales and use tax filings and other applicable tax filings.Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and experience working with accounting or ERP systems.Strong attention to detail and commitment to accurate and timely financial reporting.Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.Strong communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a collaborative team.Ability to build positive working relationships with finance, operations, project management, and executive leadership.Preferred QualificationsExperience in industrial services, construction, manufacturing, energy, or another project-based environment.Experience in a multi-company, multi-location, or regional accounting environment.Experience with inventory accounting.Experience with payroll systems such as Ceridian Dayforce.Experience with Viewpoint Spectrum or Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.Experience with Power BI or similar business-intelligence and reporting tools.Experience in a growing, entrepreneurial, or privately held business.What Will Make You SuccessfulThe successful candidate will be a proactive and collaborative finance professional who enjoys working closely with operations to improve business performance. You combine strong technical accounting knowledge with commercial awareness and are naturally curious about how the business operates. You are comfortable reviewing project results, challenging assumptions, identifying financial risks and opportunities, and communicating practical recommendations to operational leaders. You take ownership of your responsibilities, maintain high standards of accuracy, and look for opportunities to improve existing processes rather than simply maintaining them. Success in this role will require sound judgment, adaptability, accountability, and the ability to balance detailed accounting responsibilities with broader operational and commercial priorities.Measures of Success During the first year, the Operational Accountant will be expected to:Establish strong working relationships with regional operations and project leadership.Improve the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of regional financial reporting.Strengthen job-costing, work-in-progress, and project-margin reporting.Improve visibility into project profitability and operational performance.Identify and implement meaningful accounting and business-process improvements.Strengthen internal controls and standardize accounting procedures.Improve the quality of financial insight provided to US Regional Operations leadership.Become a trusted and valued financial partner to the regional business.