Sr. Project Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Colleen McAuliffe at Robert Half is looking for an experienced Sr. Project Accountant to support major construction and capital projects in Saratoga, California. This role focuses on providing accurate financial oversight from project launch through completion, helping teams maintain visibility into costs, commitments, and forecasted spending. The ideal candidate brings strong accounting judgment, analytical skill, and the ability to work closely with project and operational stakeholders in a fast-moving environment.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee project-level accounting activities across the full lifecycle of large-scale capital initiatives, from setup through final financial close.

• Evaluate budgets, committed costs, actual spend, and forward-looking projections to identify trends and explain financial variances.

• Produce monthly cost reporting packages and concise financial updates for internal business partners and leadership teams.

• Apply proper accounting treatment to distinguish capitalizable costs from operating expenses in line with policy and accounting guidance.

• Examine contractor and supplier invoices for accuracy, supporting timely approval and payment processing.

• Administer project billing activities, including milestone-based, progress-based, and cost-reimbursable invoicing where required.

• Maintain accurate records for work in progress, retainage balances, and accrued project expenses.

• Contribute to cash forecasting by estimating upcoming funding needs and anticipated project-related disbursements.

• Collaborate with Project Managers to surface budget risks, improve cost control, and support informed financial decisions.

• Provide documentation and financial explanations during audit activities while helping ensure adherence to contracts, controls, and applicable regulations.

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related discipline.
• At least 5 years of experience in project accounting, including support for construction, infrastructure, or other capital-intensive projects.
• Strong knowledge of cost tracking, forecasting, and accounting practices related to capital projects.
• Hands-on experience with ERP or project accounting platforms such as Oracle, NetSuite, Workday, Procore, or comparable systems.
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to analyze data and prepare clear financial reporting.
• Familiarity with work-in-progress accounting, retainage, accruals, and construction billing structures.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with cross-functional project teams.