Project Accounting Manager

Overview

This role is a working manager position that combines people leadership with hands-on project accounting. The Project Accounting Manager II leads a team supporting government and commercial programs while directly performing complex project accounting activities.

Key responsibilities include complex project accounting, customer billing, revenue recognition, reconciliations, month-end close activities, and financial analysis. The position partners with Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and other internal organizations to ensure project accounting activities comply with US GAAP, Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), company policies, and disclosed practices.

Responsibilities

People Leadership and Team Management

• Supervise, lead, and develop Project Accounting personnel, including assigning work, establishing priorities, monitoring performance, and providing coaching and feedback.
• Support recruiting, selection, onboarding, retention, and development of Project Accounting staff.
• Coordinate work assignments and priorities to ensure deadlines and month-end, quarter-end, and year-end requirements are met.
• Provide financial guidance and serve as a subject matter resource to Project Accountants, management, and internal customers.

Hands-On Project Accounting and Invoicing

• Perform hands-on project accounting activities while managing workload and team priorities.
• Prepare customer invoices for Cost Reimbursable, Fixed-fee, T&M, and Fixed-price (including progress and performance-based financing).
• Record and/or review journal entries for revenue, billed and unbilled accounts receivable, and other project accounting and close activities.
• Record revenue in coordination with technical teams, in compliance with US GAAP and applicable company policies.
• Perform project reconciliations; research and resolve complex discrepancies and accounting issues.
• Prepare government final and quick close-out invoices and support contract close-out activities.

Reporting, Analysis, and Audit Support

• Prepare and review complex financial reports, analyses, and accounting schedules for management and internal customers.
• Coordinate and participate in government, financial, and internal audits, including responding to audit requests and researching supporting documentation.
• May provide financial information, briefings, and updates to management and internal or external representatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Compliance

• Collaborate with Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and other organizations to resolve project accounting, billing, revenue, and contractual issues.
• Ensure compliance with Financial Accounting Standards, Cost Accounting Standards, Federal Acquisition Regulations, and disclosed company practices.
• Maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Ensure laws, regulations, and other applicable obligations are observed wherever and whenever business is conducted on behalf of the company.
• Ensure work is accomplished in a safe manner in accordance with established operating procedures and practices.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes, controls, reporting, and operational efficiency.
• Lead or support implementation of approved process improvements.
• May participate in the development and implementation of accounting policies, procedures, and practices affecting Project Accounting.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Working Manager Expectations

• Maintain a balance between people leadership and direct execution of Project Accounting responsibilities.
• Remain actively involved in complex project accounting activities, including billing, revenue, reconciliations, journal entries, close activities, audits, and issue resolution.

Job Qualifications

• Typically requires a Bachelors degree in accounting, finance, or related discipline and nine or more years of progressively complex experience in finance/accounting.
• Must have experience in a commercial or government contractor environment (equivalent experience may be substituted in lieu of education).
• Demonstrated experience with project accounting and invoicing for Cost Reimbursable, Fixed-fee, T&M, and Fixed-price (including progress and performance-based financing) contracts in a government contracting environment.
• Experience with USG portals MOCAS, VIPERS and WAWF along with industry standard portals.
• Demonstrated experience recording journal entries, performing reconciliations, and supporting month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes.
• Prior supervisory or leadership experience, including:
  • Providing guidance on complex government contracting billing
  • Assigning work and establishing priorities
  • Reviewing work, coaching employees, and managing team performance
• Detailed understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), and government contracting accounting requirements.
• Strong knowledge of revenue recognition and project accounting invoicing principles.
• SAP experience is strongly preferred.
• Ability to identify and resolve complex accounting and financial issues and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to analyze and interpret complex financial data and communicate findings and recommendations to management.
• Strong organizational, planning, scheduling, and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet established deadlines.
• Strong leadership, interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with Contracts, Finance, Program Management, and other internal organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and make decisions within established guidelines.
• Strong customer service orientation and ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, with strong working knowledge of Excel.
• Ability to work extended hours as required and travel as needed.

Compensation & Benefits

• Job Type: Full-Time
• Salary range: 90,500 - 155,375

Location

• Torrey Pines (San Diego, CA)