Accounting Assistant - Construction

Job Description

Job Description

Accounting Assistant – Construction / Project Billing

Location: Tempe, AZ | In-Office

Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8 am - 5 pm

A well-established general contractor is looking for an experienced, detail-oriented Accounting Specialist to support day-to-day accounting operations in their Tempe, AZ office. This hands-on role will have responsibilities across Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, general ledger accounting, sales/use tax, job costing, and month-end close .

We are looking for someone with a strong accounting foundation who understands how transactions flow through the general ledger—not simply someone who processes invoices. The ideal candidate has experience working in a General Contractor or Subcontractor construction project-based accounting environment , can independently research and resolve discrepancies, and is comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a fast-moving office.

 

This position reports directly to the Accounting Manager and works closely with Project Managers, vendors, customers/general contractors, and the accounting team.

 

Key Responsibilities

Accounts Receivable & Collections

• Prepare and submit accurate customer billings, including AIA progress billings , using platforms such as Textura, Oracle, Procore, or GC Pay
• Maintain customer accounts and ensure invoices, payments, retainage, credits, and adjustments are accurately recorded
• Post and apply customer payments to the appropriate accounts and jobs
• Review AR aging regularly and proactively follow up on outstanding balances
• Research and resolve short payments, overpayments, unapplied cash, billing discrepancies, and other account issues
• Work closely with Project Managers to resolve billing issues and support timely collections
• Communicate professionally with general contractors and customer accounting teams regarding invoices, payment status, and outstanding documentation
• Reconcile customer accounts and maintain accurate supporting documentation

General Ledger & Month-End Accounting

• Prepare and post routine journal entries and accounting adjustments
• Perform general ledger account reconciliations and research discrepancies
• Review transactions for accurate GL account, job, cost code, and department classification
• Assist with month-end close , including reconciliations, accruals, prepaid expenses, and supporting schedules
• Assist with bank and credit card reconciliations, as assigned
• Research accounting discrepancies and make or recommend appropriate corrections
• Prepare accounting schedules and reports for review by the Accounting Manager
• Maintain organized documentation and support internal and external accounting requests

Sales & Use Tax

• Assist with the preparation, reconciliation, and filing of sales and use tax returns
• Review transactions for appropriate sales/use tax treatment
• Reconcile sales and use tax liability accounts to supporting records
• Maintain exemption certificates and other tax-related documentation
• Research and resolve sales/use tax discrepancies and assist with tax-related reporting as needed

Accounts Payable

• Process and code vendor and subcontractor invoices to the appropriate GL accounts, jobs, and cost codes
• Review invoices for proper approvals, supporting documentation, and tax treatment
• Track purchase orders and subcontracts
• Reconcile vendor statements and research and resolve discrepancies
• Process payments in accordance with established payment schedules and internal controls
• Maintain accurate vendor records and electronic documentation

Job Costing & Construction Compliance

• Assist with job setup, including coding structures and budget alignment
• Review and track costs by job and cost code to support accurate job-cost reporting
• Assist in researching job-cost discrepancies and correcting coding errors
• Track lien waivers, preliminary notices, amendments, and releases
• Coordinate and maintain Certificates of Insurance and subcontractor compliance documentation
• Maintain complete and organized job files and supporting documentation
• Work with Project Managers to ensure accounting records accurately reflect project activity

Preferred Qualifications

• 4+ years of accounting experience, including hands-on Accounts Receivable, general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close responsibilities . Sales/use tax experience strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with AR aging, collections, account reconciliations, and month-end accounting
• Experience preparing or supporting sales and use tax filings and reconciliations
• Experience with journal entries and general ledger account reconciliations
• Construction, subcontractor, general contractor, or other job-cost/project-based accounting experience strongly preferred
• Experience with AIA billing, retainage, lien waivers, preliminary notices, and construction compliance preferred
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant accounting experience
• Foundation accounting software experience is a plus but not required
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Word and Outlook
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify, research, and resolve accounting discrepancies
• Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced, project-driven environment
• Professional communication skills and confidence working with customers, vendors, Project Managers, and accounting teams

What We Offer

• $65,000 - $72,000+, pay based on experience - paid weekly
• Comprehensive benefits including:
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Paid vacation
• Supportive training and collaborative team environment
• Growth opportunity within a well-established construction subcontractor