Project Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Together We Build – Partnership, Innovation, Excellence, and Safety

At Kelso Industries, 4,000+ employees across 40+ companies work together to deliver exceptional HVAC, mechanical, plumbing, refrigeration, and electrical solutions nationwide. Join us to grow your career, make an impact, and be part of a team where innovation, excellence, and safety come first.

Recruiter Notice: We respectfully ask external recruiters and staffing agencies not to submit candidates. We only accept direct applications.

POSITION SUMMARY

This position will support two locations- Lancaster, PA & Wilmington, DE. The selected candidate will need to be prepared to spend time on site at both locations each week.

The Project Accountant is a key member of the finance team, responsible for maintaining accurate financial records across a portfolio of active construction projects in the HVAC, plumbing, and electrical trades. This individual applies percentage-of-completion (POC) accounting principles to ensure revenue, costs, and gross margin are recognized in accordance with GAAP and company policy. The Project Accountant works closely with project managers, field supervisors, and business finance personnel to produce timely and reliable Work-in-Process (WIP) reports, identify financial risks, and support sound project financial management from contract award through final closeout.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Percentage-of-Completion Accounting

• Calculate and record monthly revenue recognition using the cost-to-cost POC method in compliance with ASC 606 and internal policies.
• Collaborate with project managers to obtain accurate estimates-to-complete (ETC) and ensure projections reflect current field conditions.
• Identify and escalate projects with margin fade, cost overruns, or scope changes that impact the POC calculation.
• Prepare and post monthly journal entries for over/under billings, revenue accruals, and job cost adjustments.

Work-in-Process (WIP) Reporting

• Prepare, review, and distribute monthly WIP schedules for all active projects across HVAC, plumbing, and electrical divisions.
• Reconcile WIP balances to the general ledger and resolve discrepancies in a timely manner.
• Analyze overbilled and underbilled positions; flag contracts at risk and communicate findings to project and operations leadership.
• Maintain historical WIP data to support trend analysis and forecasting.

Job Cost Management

• Set up new jobs in the accounting system, including cost codes, contract values, and budget structures.
• Process and code subcontractor invoices, material purchases, equipment charges, and labor allocations to the correct job and cost phase.
• Review time sheets and payroll allocations to ensure labor costs are accurately captured at the project level.
• Monitor committed costs and purchase orders against approved budgets; alert project managers to variances.

Billings & Contract Administration

• Prepare and submit AIA-format (G702/G703) progress billings, T&M billings, and lump-sum applications for payment.
• Track contract values, approved change orders, pending change orders, and claim items; maintain up-to-date contract logs.
• Monitor accounts receivable for assigned projects; follow up on outstanding invoices and coordinate with project managers on collections.
• Review and process subcontractor pay applications, including lien waiver collection and conditional/unconditional tracking.

Reporting & Analysis

• Assist in the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management reports.
• Provide project-level gross margin analysis and variance explanations to operations and senior leadership.
• Support year-end audit and bonding/surety requests by preparing project schedules, WIP documentation, and supporting workpapers.
• Manage the external audit process end-to-end, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors; coordinate the timely preparation and delivery of all requested schedules, reconciliations, and supporting documentation.
• Liaise directly with external auditors to address inquiries, clarify accounting positions, and resolve open items efficiently, ensuring the audit progresses on schedule and with minimal disruption to operations.
• Conduct internal pre-audit reviews of project financials, WIP schedules, and job cost reports to identify and remediate potential issues before external audit fieldwork begins.
• Maintain thorough audit-ready workpapers and documentation throughout the year, ensuring all project accounting entries are supported and traceable.
• Develop ad hoc financial analyses and dashboards as requested by management.
• Operate with a strong sense of urgency; proactively identify bottlenecks in accounting workflows and drive process improvements to increase efficiency, accuracy, and reporting timeliness.
• Evaluate existing accounting procedures and controls, recommend enhancements, and lead implementation of best practices across the project accounting function.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• Minimum 7–10 years of project accounting experience in the construction, mechanical, or specialty trade contracting industry.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with percentage-of-completion accounting and WIP schedule preparation.
• Strong working knowledge of GAAP as applied to long-term construction contracts (ASC 606).
• Proficiency with construction accounting software (e.g., Sage 300 CRE, Viewpoint Vista, Foundation, Spectrum, or similar); experience with NetSuite ERP strongly preferred.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and financial modeling.
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously under deadline pressure.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills; comfortable presenting financial data to non-financial stakeholders.

Preferred

• Experience in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, or mechanical contracting specifically.
• Familiarity with AIA billing documents, lien waivers, and subcontract administration.
• CPA or CPA candidate designation.
• Experience supporting surety bonding and external financial audits.

Why Join Kelso Industries?  

Join us and be part of a team dedicated to creating efficient, sustainable, and high-performance environments that make a lasting impact across the industrial, commercial, and institutional sectors.  

Here you will experience:   

Growth Opportunities: Develop new skills, take on exciting challenges, and advance your career in meaningful ways.  

Company Culture: You'll thrive in an environment that supports your growth, values your contributions, and makes work fulfilling and enjoyable. 

Impact: Your work directly contributes to meaningful outcomes, allowing you to see the difference you make and feel a sense of purpose every day. 

Competitive Compensation & Benefits: You'll be rewarded fairly for your contributions while enjoying perks that enhance your financial security, health, and overall well-being. 

Kelso Industries celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate in any aspect of employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Kelso does business