Senior Project Accountant (Columbia)

Nichols Contracting, Inc. (NCI) is a family-owned and operated Construction and Contracting business headquartered in Columbia, MD with offices in Richmond, VA, Royal Palm Beach and Orlando, FL with a team of 250 employees. NCI is a full-service general contractor focused on providing premier services in all aspects of the construction process, from concept to completion. We manage a broad range of commercial construction projects, including new construction, tenant fit outs, and renovations. NCI services a diverse group of markets including federal, state, and local governments, as well as a variety of corporate and special industry organizations that require complex life safety and critical infrastructure needs.

We are seeking a Senior Project Accountant to join our Maryland team. This position is aimed at a mid to senior-level role in overseeing financial management for complex and large-scale commercial construction projects. This position supports project teams by managing job cost accounting, contract compliance, and financial reporting. The ideal candidate brings deep industry knowledge and experience with commercial contracts, change order processes, and client billing structures

• Oversee full-cycle project accounting for multiple construction projects, ensuring accuracy in job cost tracking and financial reporting.
• Collaborate with project managers, estimators, and operations staff to setup original budgets, forecasts, and cost-to-complete projections in Procore.
• Review and ensure accurate cost coding and timely processing of project-related invoices in TimberScan.
• Prepare and process monthly owner billings in SAGE and ensure compliance with contract terms, including retention, billing schedules, and change orders.
• Proactively identify and analyze underbilled projects, partnering with project teams to address discrepancies, maximize billing opportunities, and improve cash flow.
• Take ownership of project accounts receivable and cash flow, working proactively with Project Managers to monitor outstanding balances, resolve billing issues, and drive timely collections.
• Prepare and present financial reports to project teams, analyzing job costs, trends, profit variances, accounts receivable, cash flow, and outstanding financial issues in preparation for monthly job reviews.
• Serve as a resource and mentor to junior Project Accountants, providing guidance, training, and support to promote development and consistency in accounting processes and best practices.
• Educate project teams on financial processes, procedures, and deadlines, reinforcing accountability to ensure timely month-end close and accurate recognition of costs and billings within the appropriate accounting periods.

Nichols Contracting, Inc. (NCI) is a family-owned and operated Construction and Contracting business headquartered in Columbia, MD with offices in Richmond, VA, Royal Palm Beach and Orlando, FL with a team of 170 employees. NCI is a full-service general contractor focused on providing premier services in all aspects of the construction process, from concept to completion. We manage a broad range of commercial construction projects, including new construction, tenant fit outs, and renovations. NCI services a diverse group of markets including federal, state, and local governments, as well as a variety of corporate and special industry organizations that require complex life safety and critical infrastructure needs.

We are seeking a Senior Project Accountant to join our Maryland team. This position is aimed at a mid to senior-level role in overseeing financial management for complex and large-scale commercial construction projects. This position supports project teams by managing job cost accounting, contract compliance, and financial reporting. The ideal candidate brings deep industry knowledge and experience with commercial contracts, change order processes, and client billing structures

Essential Functions:

• Support month-end and year-end close activities, including journal entries, accruals, reporting, and audit requirements.
• Identify, recommend, and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and consistency across project accounting functions.
• Serve as a key liaison between Accounting and Operations, fostering collaboration, effective communication, and proactive resolution of project financial matters.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

We seek a self-starter with high-initiative and strength of character to act as a team player and complete multiple tasks with high quality under strict deadlines.

• Proficiency in construction accounting software, such as Sage 300 CRE, CMiC, and Procore.
• Prior project accounting experience with a General Contractor or large-scale Subcontractor
• Strong understanding of project billings and job cost accounting.
• Familiarity with industry-specific documentation (AIA billing forms, lien waivers, subcontractor compliance).
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with data analysis.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; capable of working cross-functionally with project teams.
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

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 essential functions.

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• The employee is required to sit and/or stand for extended periods of time
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to reach with hands and arms, at times above head; and talk and hear

Benefits : 401k, Health Insurance (medical, dental, and vision), PTO, Employer Paid Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Paid Holidays and much more

Salary : Competitive salary plus performance-based Bonus incentives

Employee Acknowledgement: I have read the above position description, and I understand and agree with the terms and requirements for this position. I also understand and agree that such requirements may be amended and/or adjusted at any time.

Persons with mental and physical disabilities as defined by the American’s With Disabilities Act are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such people may not be eligible for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

Nichols Contracting provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type regardless of 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.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.