Project Accountant

Overview

This role supports the organization’s CFO Services Advisory team by owning the accounting infrastructure and ensuring financial integrity that underpins client advisory recommendations. Rather than managing staff, the Project Accountant focuses on onboarding new clients, designing and implementing sustainable monthly close processes, partnering with client accounting teams, stepping in with hands-on support when needed, and building budgets and cash flow forecasts to support strategic decision-making.

The position reports to the CFO advisors on each engagement and works across a portfolio of clients simultaneously.

Remote position: preference for candidates located in the southeastern United States. Work hours will be in the eastern time zone.

Responsibilities

Client Onboarding and Process Design

• Lead accounting onboarding for new CFO Services clients, including chart of accounts review and mapping, opening balance validation, system access, and historical cleanup.
• Assess client accounting environments (QuickBooks, ERP, and other bolt-on tools) and recommend what to fix, replace, or leave as-is.
• Design and document the monthly close process, including close calendar, checklist, ownership matrix, and workpaper templates.
• Build reusable onboarding and close templates to improve speed and consistency across engagements.

Working with Client Accounting Staff

• Partner with on-site bookkeepers, accountants, and controllers to train teams on the close process, review work, and close capability gaps.
• Serve as the day-to-day accounting resource for client staff between close cycles.
• Collaborate with client process owners to identify and implement improvements in a respectful, effective manner.

Interim Bookkeeping and Full-Cycle Close

• Step in as the client’s interim bookkeeper or accountant during turnover, growth, or a coverage gap.
• Own full-cycle close when required, including recurring and adjusting journal entries, accruals, prepaid amortization, depreciation, and all balance sheet reconciliations.
• Run AP and AR processes, including coding, approval routing, payment runs, invoicing, cash application, and collections follow-up.
• Prepare month-end reporting packages for CFO advisor review on a committed calendar.

Manufacturing Accounting (Majority of Portfolio)

• Inventory accounting, including cycle count and physical count reconciliation, roll-forwards, and reserve entries.
• Job and project costing, including WIP tracking, job cost accuracy, and labor and overhead application.
• Standard cost environments, including posting and reconciling purchase price, labor, and overhead variances.
• Tie ERP inventory and production subledgers back to the general ledger.

Budgets, Forecasts, and Analysis

• Build and maintain annual budgets and reforecasts alongside CFO advisors.
• Build, maintain, and update rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts, including explaining what moved versus the prior week and why.
• Support budget-to-actual variance analysis, KPI reporting, and EBITDA and cash flow bridges.
• Assemble and validate data behind board, lender, and owner reporting packages.

Tools and AI

• Use advanced Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, graphs, and building models others can use).
• Leverage AI tools to streamline reconciliation, data cleanup, documentation, and analysis, while applying sound judgment and thorough review to ensure accuracy.
• Proactively identify opportunities to automate repetitive tasks and improve efficiency.

Requirements

• 5–8 years of full-cycle accounting experience, including primary ownership of month-end close.
• Hands-on experience in QuickBooks (Online and Desktop) and at least one true ERP (NetSuite, Sage Intacct, Sage 100/300, Acumatica, Dynamics 365 Business Central, Epicor, Global Shop, JobBOSS, or Fishbowl).
• Advanced Excel skills, including building and maintaining budget or forecast models.
• Experience building or materially improving a close process (not only executing a process designed by others).
• Comfort working directly with client accounting staff and owners.
• Ability to work effectively in evolving environments where processes and documentation are still being developed.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, or equivalent experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Manufacturing, distribution, or job-shop accounting experience, including inventory, WIP, or standard costing.
• Cash flow forecasting experience, particularly rolling 13-week forecasts.
• Public accounting, outsourced accounting, or other multi-client experience.
• Multi-entity or consolidated close experience.
• Practical experience applying AI tools to accounting work.
• Familiarity with AP automation and expense tools (Bill.com, Ramp, Expensify) and sales tax platforms (Avalara).
• Process documentation, Lean, or continuous improvement background.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Flexible schedule options.
• Paid parental leave and a summer schedule.
• Flexible PTO with a minimum expectation of at least two weeks away from work each year, including one consecutive week.
• 12 paid holidays, including a full week of winter break in December.
• Two comprehensive healthcare options, plus dental and vision insurance for full-time employees.
• Retirement contribution: employer contributes 4–5% annually to your 401(k), regardless of your personal contribution.
• Opportunities for continued professional development, training, and career advancement.

Location

• Remote position.
• Preference for candidates located in the southeastern United States.
• Work hours will be in the eastern time zone.

Additional Requirements / Information

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future.
• Offers are contingent on the satisfactory outcome of a background check including a criminal record check, reference check, credit check, and valid driver’s license check (including acceptable driving record), plus employment and education verifications.
• Equal employment opportunity: the organization prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type.
• Unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters or agencies are not accepted.