ACCOUNTING SPECIALIST

Lauderdale Electric is a fourth-generation, family-owned commercial and industrial electrical contractor serving Northern Illinois. Guided by our F.I.R.E. values, we're building toward our 2029 Vivid Vision of disciplined growth, people development, and expanded geographic and service-line reach. We're looking for a detail-oriented accounting professional to help keep our field operations running smoothly through accurate, on-time payroll, compliance reporting, and invoicing. Position Summary The Accounting Specialist is responsible for the overall integrity of Lauderdale Electric's financial operations, including financial reporting, job costing, cash flow management, and internal controls. This role is critical to maintaining strong relationships with our field employees, union partners, and clients, and requires a high level of accuracy, confidentiality, and understanding of prevailing wage and union payroll requirements within the electrical contracting industry. This is a construction-industry role requiring fluency in job costing, percentage-of-completion accounting, and the financial mechanics of a union electrical contractor. Key Responsibilities Payroll Process weekly payroll for union and non-union field and office employees Verify time entries, job costing codes, and classifications for accuracy Calculate and apply appropriate wage rates, overtime, and fringe benefits Maintain accurate employee payroll records in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations Respond to employee payroll inquiries and resolve discrepancies promptly Certified Payroll Prepare and submit certified payroll reports (WH-347 or equivalent) for prevailing wage/public works projects Ensure compliance with Davis-Bacon, Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, and applicable municipal requirements Maintain accurate documentation to support certified payroll audits Coordinate with project managers to confirm correct wage determinations and job classifications by project Invoicing Prepare and issue accurate, timely customer invoices based on job costing, contracts, T&M tickets, and change orders Track outstanding receivables and follow up on past-due invoices Coordinate with project managers and the field to ensure billing accuracy Maintain organized invoicing records and support month-end close processes Financial Reporting & Accounting Operations Complete monthly, quarterly, and annual close process Draft and present timely and accurate financial reports and key metrics for Controller review Maintain the general ledger, chart of accounts, and accounting policies in accordance with GAAP Oversee percentage-of-completion (WIP) accounting and ensure job cost reporting is accurate and current Coordinate with outside CPAs on tax preparation, reviews, or audits Oversee job costing processes across active projects, ensuring accurate allocation of labor, materials, and Partner with project managers and estimators to reconcile budgeted vs. actual project costs Identify and flag cost overruns, margin erosion, or billing gaps on active jobs Maintain and review WIP (work-in-progress) schedules for accuracy and completeness Experience and Skills Q ualifications Required 5+ years of accounting experience, preferably in construction, electrical, or another unionized trade Experience in construction accounting, ideally within an electrical, mechanical, or other union trade contractor Experience with certified payroll and prevailing wage reporting Strong knowledge of job costing and percentage-of-completion (WIP) accounting Strong Excel skills and proficiency with accounting/payroll software (e.g., Foundation, Sage, QuickBooks, or similar construction accounting platforms) High level of accuracy and attention to detail Ability to handle confidential information with discretion Preferred CPA or CPA-track background Experience specifically with IBEW union reporting Associate's or bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field (or equivalent experience) Core Competencies Precision & Compliance — Maintains rigorous accuracy across reporting, job costing, and regulatory requirements Organization — Manages multiple recurring deadlines (weekly payroll, monthly union reports, ongoing invoicing) without dropping details Strategic Thinking — Connects day-to-day financial operations to the company's long-term growth vision Integrity — Handles sensitive wage and financial data with discretion, in line with our F.I.R.E. values What We Offer Competitive salary based on experience Health, dental, and vision insurance 401(k) with company match Paid time off and holidays A stable, family-oriented company culture with a clear long-term vision for growth Lauderdale Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Individual rates/salaries that are offered to a candidate are determined after consideration of numerous factors including internal equity, market data, the candidate’s qualifications- including but not limited to specialty skills, prior relevant industry experience, relevant degrees or certifications. The salary range estimate below is inclusive of all departments, and offered salaries may vary within the given range between departments. A reasonable estimate of the base rate range for this level is $ 110K-$120K annualized and other competitive benefits. #J-18808-Ljbffr