Project Accountant

Overview

The organization is seeking a Project Accountant to support project cost accounting and financial reporting for utility-scale renewable energy projects. This role focuses on financial reporting and analysis for projects in the construction and operations phase, ongoing cash management tied to project financing and investors, and ownership of the annual project budgeting process. The position also includes contract understanding and review as it relates to project accounting, ensuring contractual financial requirements are met, and partnering with asset management to evaluate the operational and financial health of assigned projects.

Responsibilities

• Support the accounting team with multiple wind, solar or storage projects.
• Understand relevant accounting schedules and GL account reconciliations performed by staff accounting personnel to provide insight and guidance in preparation and review of accounting schedules as needed.
• Read and understand contracts relevant to allocated projects to ensure proper accounting in accordance with GAAP (debt, financial instruments, revenue, etc.).
• Perform monthly income statement budget-to-actual analysis, monthly income statement trend analysis, and provide detailed explanations for unusual fluctuations.
• Manage project cash accounts, including bank reconciliations, updating cash forecasts, and recommending distributions as applicable.
• Review and approve purchase orders and invoices, ensuring proper coding and accuracy.
• Prepare the weekly accounts payable list in correlation with cash management to determine invoices to pay during weekly wire/check runs.
• Prepare project-level financial statements, including consolidated financial statements on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Prepare annual operating budgets in close coordination with the Asset Managers.
• Support financial statement audits for assigned projects by providing supporting documentation and explanations to external auditors.
• Prepare required financial deliverables on a timely basis in accordance with applicable contracts.
• Assist with reconciling draft and final annual tax returns of assigned projects.
• Support systems implementations and data integrity.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or higher degree in accounting; CPA preferred.
• 3+ years in a project accounting-related role, preferred working with multi-level partnerships.
• Strong knowledge and experience with GAAP accounting.
• Strong experience and understanding of financial reporting and multi-level partnership consolidation structures.
• Experienced in financial analysis (income statement budget-to-actual analysis, trend analysis, balance sheet ratios, etc.).
• Ability to read and comprehend contracts in detail (revenue contracts, lease agreements, debt agreements, interest rate swaps, etc.).
• Self-starter with proven ability to work independently.
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, and ability to meet simultaneous deadlines.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically strong Excel skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a strong team player willing to work in a flexible environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA preferred.
• Experience with multi-level partnerships and consolidation structures.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base and bonus commensurate with experience.
• Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays.
• Medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match.
• Comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts.

Location

• Hours: Full Time
• Type: Exempt
• Travel: 5%
• Office Location: Headquarters in Charlottesville, VA (on-site employees can work a hybrid schedule: 3 days/week).
• Open to remote work.

Additional Information

• Works primarily traditional office hours in an indoor office environment; flexible work hours allowed when work duties and business operations permit.
• At this time, the employer will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.