Project Accountant - Mid Level

Your Role

As a Gensler Project Accountant, you will be responsible for financial account management and analysis for the firm’s projects and business practices.  You will be responsible for partnering with Studio Directors to ensure the fiscal health of assigned projects throughout the entire project life cycle, from project due diligence through client invoicing and collections. You are a trusted advisor in the areas of fee management, revenue planning, revenue recognition, invoice and collections specialist.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for overall timely and accurate invoicing, including:
• Review and preparation of draft invoices to distribute to Project Managers (review contracts, consultants, purchase orders, back-up requirements, etc.)
• Meet with PMs to review draft invoices and discuss project status
• Provide unposted labor detail reports to PMs and make necessary transfers
• Review of reimbursable and direct expenses billed to projects
• Attend Project Manager meetings (project start-up)
• Maintain budgets (accurate accounting of project costs vs. project billings)
• Responsible for following project close-out guidelines
• Update invoice tracking spreadsheet
• Review AR ledger to ensure invoice accounts were properly booked
• Manage and maintain deferred revenue
• Lead and participate in the monthly Project Accountant’s conference call
• Consultant Management
• Reconciliation of consultant expense accounts
• Reviews subconsultant contracts and completes fee allocation in Vantage Point
• Track consultant fees against consultant expenses and reimbursables
• Reviews consultant invoice with PM for approval, and enters consultant invoice with correct GL code
• Ensure consultant invoices are processed accurately and timely
• Reconcile consultant revenue accrual/recognition
• Provide consultants and Project Managers with timely updates regarding consultant’s payment status and other consultant fee inquiries
• Collections
• Review aged AR report daily
• Follow-up with PMs and/or clients regarding open invoices (over 30-days, short payment, and duplicate payment)
• Provide invoice copies to client and/or PMs
• Research payment discrepancies and stay abreast on AR issues
• Project Maintenance
• Conduct monthly audits to ensure project financials are accurately stated in accounting system
• Maintains updated project information in Vantage Point (compensation and contract)
• Create spreadsheets to track consultants and other billing fees
• Maintain accurate filing system
• Ensure work authorization/contracts are filed in network folder
• Review project pipeline data, and ensure information is accurate and consistent with staffing and revenue plan

CAPABILITIES

• Thorough understanding and adherence of accounting principles
• Developed area of specialization: client type, practice area, etc.
• Financial analysis skills
• Experience with balance sheet reconciliation
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Developing people management skills: coaching and giving feedback
• Ability to ask pertinent questions to determine accuracy of information
• Strong documentation skills
• Ability to communicate the story behind the numbers
• Thorough understanding of Gensler’s definitions and accounting/reporting systems
• Thorough understanding of the Learning Toolkit

EXPECTATIONS

• Although you will have many day-to-day tasks, following are the primary activities you must focus on to meet expectations for a Project Accountant:
• Establish trusted advisor relationships at the Studio Director level and with external clients
• Report on project/studio metrics in studio/accounting team meetings
• Lead consultant coordination start up meetings
• Identify and resolve close variances independently
• Lead Finance 101 meetings for assigned studio

Your Qualifications 

• Accounting or business administration degree
• A minimum of 6-10 years’ experience in a professional services environment, preferably with an architecture or design firm.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• A self-starter and also a great team player.
• Not just comfortable with technology but seeks ways to achieve better results through new technologies and processes.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to effectively engage different personality types.
• Works well under pressure with multiple tasks and deadlines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient in Excel, prior experience with Vantage Point software preferred.
• Excellent references who speak to the quality of your work and your personal contributions to business performance and organizational culture.

*This role is not remote or hybrid; we look forward to working with our new Project Accountant in our dynamic Washington, D.C. office.

**The estimated base salary range for this position is $85,000- $95,000k, plus eligibility for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, with final compensation contingent on relevant experience. To learn more about our compensation philosophy and full benefits offerings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.

Life at Gensler  

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions and hackathons, to “Well-being Week,” our offices reflect our teams’ diverse interests.  

We encourage our employees to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership and twice annual bonus opportunities.  Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes.   We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.  

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