Sr. Project Accountant (A/E Exp.) Mid-Atlantic Architect Firm

Senior Project Accountant

Philadelphia, PA

Full Time | Exempt

What We Are Looking For

SN is partnering with Jacobs Wyper Architects (JWA) in their search for a Senior Project Accountant to join their award-winning architectural, planning, and interior design firm. We're looking for someone who would be based out of the Philadelphia PA office and work across firms in Philadelphia, Raleigh, NC, and Austin, TX locations, bringing their accounting expertise to the role.

In this pivotal position, you will work closely with the Billing Specialist and outsourced accounting consultants managing the financial performance of a portfolio of projects, ensuring accurate billing, cost tracking, and reporting in support of project delivery and firm profitability. This includes maintaining accurate Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable, payroll, and daily financial entries. Working closely with project managers, operations leaders, and the finance team, the Senior Project Accountant plays a critical role in maintaining the financial health of projects from inception through close-out within the Architecture & Engineering industry.

What You Will Be Doing

Key Deliverables

• Manage the full project accounting lifecycle , including project setup oversight, budget tracking, cost monitoring, invoicing, and close-out.
• Oversee and support the Billing Specialist for monthly project invoicing.
• Work with project managers to collect outstanding invoices.
• Monitor project budgets and expenditures, identifying variances and working with project managers to address cost overruns or scope changes.
• Oversee vendor payment processing. Perform all activities related to the accounts payable function, including reviewing, coding, and processing payments for all non-project expenses.
• Prepare regular project financial reports, including earned value analysis, revenue recognition schedules, and profitability summaries for project managers and leadership.
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition in compliance with firm accounting policies and applicable standards (e.g., percentage-of-completion method).
• Process and track subconsultant invoices, purchase orders, and expense reports associated with assigned projects
• Support project managers in understanding financial performance and contract compliance, serving as a financial resource throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform payroll functions in an accurate and timely manner.
• Assist with month-end and year-end close activities, including preparation of firm-related journal entries and reconciliations.
• Maintain organized and audit-ready project financial records and documentation.
• Must understand Balance Sheet and Income Statement (Profit/Loss)
• Maintain organized and audit-ready project financial records and documentation.
• Compile and report end-of-year financial data, coordinating with the co-Managing Partners to understand revenue and profitability and with the firm's external tax accountant for tax filing.
• Set up new employee accounts in relevant finance and HR systems in coordination with HR, ensuring accuracy in payroll configuration and benefit deduction setup prior to the employee's first payroll cycle.
• Process and maintain payroll, ensuring all benefit deductions (401(k), medical, dental, disability, etc.) are accurately reflected. Provide annual payroll census data to the firm's 401(k) vendor.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for pay-related questions.
• Other ad-hoc duties as assigned and provide redundancy and coverage for the Billing Specialist.

Key Relationships & Collaboration

Relationships:

• Manage Billing Specialist as a direct report. In addition to daily coordination of accounting tasks, monitor the quality of work product and adherence to accounting best practices and firm policies. Oversight will include facilitating One-on-Ones to mentor and support career development. Facilitate semi-annual performance review in collaboration with one of the co-Managing Partners.
• Help ensure the Billing Specialist provides timely financial insights to Project Managers and Project Teams.
• Coordinate with clients and project managers on billing inquiries, collections, and contract compliance matters.
• Work with subconsultants and vendors to ensure accurate and timely processing of invoices and payments.

Collaboration:

• Partners and Operations on monthly close, reporting, and audit preparation.
• Business Development during project pursuit, close-out, and post-award handoff to support accurate project setup and contract review, ensuring alignment between client agreements, fee structures, billing terms, and internal financial controls prior to project activation.
• Office Manager and co-Managing Partners for compliance and annual renewals of Business and Professional licensing across multiple states.

Key Skills, Education & Experience

Skills:

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy in financial reporting and billing.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
• Effective communication skills to translate financial data into clear, actionable information for non-financial project managers.
• Collaborative and service-oriented approach to working with project teams across the firm.
• Proactive problem-solver who identifies financial risks early and escalates or resolves them promptly.
• Adaptability to manage shifting priorities in a dynamic, project-driven work environment.
• High level of integrity and professionalism in handling sensitive financial information.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
• 5-7 years of progressive project accounting experience preferably in an architecture, engineering, or professional services firm.
• Strong understanding of project-based accounting , including percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, cost-to-complete analysis, and AEC contract billing structures.
• Experience with project accounting or ERP software (e.g., Deltek Vantagepoint or similar AEC-focused platforms) strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office Suite.
• CPA or CPA Candidate preferred but not required.

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based with extensive computer use and minimal physical demands. This position is eligible for remote work; however, any on-site work requirements will be established by the employer based on operational needs. The employer complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including reasonable accommodation requirements.
• Occasional travel, including out-of-state travel, to firm offices or project sites may be required based on business needs.

About Jacobs Wyper Architects

Jacobs Wyper Architects (JWA) are in the business of transformation. Together with their clients and partners, they envision spaces where people are freed to work more productively, make discoveries, and live healthier and more joyful lives. They love what they do. Firm works not just for the love of architecture and design, but to satisfy a calling to improve the quality of life in their communities, both today and in the sustainable future. Their process is collaborative by design.

Jacobs Wyper Architects provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.