Cost Accountant (Construction)

About Us

We are aleading industrial construction firm that specializes in the manufacture and installation of process and utility piping systems as well as custom sheet metal fabrication. Whether for large-scale projects involving heavy machinery or small-scale jobs handling delicate instruments, we have the capabilities to deliver a variety of duct, chute, piping, and structural steel fabrication and installation along with equipment setting and erection.

Job Summary

Job Title: Cost Accountant (Construction)

Location: Richmond, VA 23227

Reports to: Controller / Chief Financial Officer

FLSA Status: Exempt

Shift: Monday through Friday – 8:00a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

ABOUT US: R.S. Harritan is a leading industrial construction firm, specializing in the manufacturing and installation of process and utility piping systems, custom sheet metal fabrication, including installation of ducts and chutes, structural steel fabrication and installation, as well as equipment setting and erection.

SUMMARY

The Cost Accountant assists the company in meeting its objectives and goals by performing a full cycle accounting process as it relates to the pay application process for specific projects. This includes understanding and compliance with established accounting principles, practices, and procedures, and regulatory compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and related federal and state laws, and the upstream contractual requirements.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare monthly billings based on information received from Project Management teams.

• Generate client invoices using AIA, RSH, or client‑specific formats.

• Submit completed invoices to clients or upload through client portals.

• Maintain Accounts Receivable files and documentation.

• Maintain and reconcile the Sales Journal at month‑end.

• Enter all finalized billing into Starbuilder (accounting ERP software).

• Collect field employee timesheets, enter payroll data into Starbuilder, and process weekly union payroll.

• Assist in maintaining employee records.

• Prepare and submit required monthly union reports.

• Monitor the AP email inbox and process incoming invoices through PVault, including indexing and routing for approvals.

• Assist with the weekly AP check run, including printing and assembling checks.

• Perform limited office support for the Newport News location, including weekly travel to deliver field payroll checks, pick up mail, and retrieve documents.

• Maintain office supply inventory in the Newport News office.

• Review and understand and develop pay applications in accordance with upstream contractual requirements through communication with the accounting and project operations departments and their related processes and technological resources.

• Responsible for review, audit of accounts payable invoices specific to project pay applications. This includes vetting packing slips with vendor invoices for materials purchased for the applicable projects, equipment purchase orders vetting to vendor invoices, and the ability to discern errors in quantities, unit pricing, taxable vs. non taxable scenarios.

• Responsible for payroll audit and collection of payroll related data for the pay application process. Ability to interpret certified payroll reports, and reporting obligations.

• Responsible for ensuring all timesheets, time cards, and other means and methods of reporting of time is fully completed, and with accuracy and are approved by authorized managers within the organization (e.g. payroll coding, employee classifications, and authorized signatures are on time cards) and/or processed correctly through the remote time entry software.

• Prepares and customizes various excel reports developing source documents for the feed of data to various rollup Excel workbooks.

• Responsible for the timely and accurate development of the project pay application.

• Maintains employee confidence by protecting payroll information in confidence and within company best practices and policies.

• Flexibility to work additional hours when necessary to meet exceptional deadlines.

• Responsible for accounting compliance with accounting principles and practices, Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and other federal and state law as required.

• Valid state driver’s license is required.

• Ability to meet the fitness for duty requirements as may be required of upstream clients is required.

• Ability to meet criminal background check requirements (seven prior years).

• This is not a remote work position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• None

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

You must be work authorized in the United States on a full-time basis without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future. The Company cannot offer employment to F-1 (student) visa holders who require employer sponsorship in the future or cannot work now on a full-time basis.

PREFERRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting, Business Administration, or Construction Management.

• One to three years of related professional cost accounting experience is required, preferably in the construction industry.

• General accounting fundamentals and concepts required.

• Strong understanding of related accounting practices and procedures.

• Advanced working knowledge of accounting systems software.

• Professional experience with certified payroll requirements, and bona fide fringe benefits.

COMPUTER SKILLS

• Advanced end user of Microsoft applications, particularly Excel.

• Proficient to advanced usage and knowledge of accounting platforms and interface with Microsoft Access.

• Advanced usage and knowledge of accounting software solutions and Microsoft Excel.

• Proficient user of automated accounts payable platforms.

REQUIRED ATTRIBUTES

The requirements listed below are representative of characteristics and demonstrated capabilities sought to perform this job successfully.

• Must possess a strong attention details and self proof work for accuracy.

• Must possess professional written and verbal communications skills.

• Must demonstrate professional emotional intelligence and steadfast composure.

• Must have the ability to discern work assignment priorities and utilize independent thinking within the scope of authority the position.

• Must demonstrate commitment to performing duties in a safe manner within the scope of company policies, state and federal laws.

• Must demonstrate ability to work collectively with peers and in a manner supporting teamwork in the workplace.

• Must demonstrate ability to effectively organize and manage information and processes as required with the position requirements.

• Must demonstrate commitment to company values.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Must have the demonstrated ability to effectively communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with multiple levels of employees, vendors and suppliers. Must be able to fluently communicate in English both verbally and in writing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands 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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, see, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is regularly required to walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee may occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

We offer our employees a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package and are always looking for individuals with the talent and skills required to contribute to our continued growth and success. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.

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EMCOR Group and its companies do not reach out to individuals to help with marketing or other similar services. If an individual is contacted for services outside of EMCOR’s normal application process – it is probably fraudulent.

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Job Locations US-VA-Richmond

ID 2026-48010

Company R.S. Harritan & Company, Inc.

Category Accounting/Finance

Position Type Full-Time

Location Type Onsite

Posted Date 8 months ago (2/4/2026 4:14 PM)