Project Accountant

DescriptionPosition SummaryReporting to the Project Accounting Manager, the Project Accountant will provide accounting and financial analytical support within a top tier, global life sciences consulting firm. This position is actively involved in all stages of the consulting engagements, including project set up, client funding, and ongoing reporting through invoicing and project completion reviews. The Project Accountant will be a central point of contact for Project Managers on all aspects of project invoicing and analysis. The successful candidate must be a motivated self-starter who is hard working, career driven and wants to be a visible contributor in our rapidly growing business.Position ResponsibilitiesIssue accurate and timely client invoices in compliance with project contractsInterface with clients on issues in a professional and timely manner, including POâ s and invoice collectionsMaintain project budgets and invoice schedules within OpenAir and NetSuite; vigilant review of project budgets against actual results, including proactive communication with Project Management teamAssist Project Accounting team in overseeing time & expense entry compliance, revenue recognition, revenue variance analysis, external audit, financial and management reportingIssue purchase orders to third party service providers and review their invoices for compliance to agreementsMonitor status of AR Aging, DSO, and following up with clients to collect past due invoicesInitiate timely communication with Project Managers on contract documents, modifications, expenses and client invoicing; respond to Project Manager inquires and requestsAssist in developing standard project tracking reports and provide ad-hoc analytic supportWork closely with the Accounting team to ensure project expense is being recorded accurately within the proper fiscal periodResearch and recommend process improvementsBuild quality into all aspects of their work by maintaining compliance to all quality requirements while working in a fast-paced deadline-oriented environmentPosition RequirementsEducation: Minimum of a bachelorâ s degree in Accounting, Finance or other quantitative business-related fields.Work Experience: 2-3 years of experience in project accounting, financial analysis, and other related fields.Other SkillsWorking experience with US GAAP and financial concepts, as well as data gathering, analysis and reportingExceptional attention to detail and accuracyExcellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal relationship skills to be able to cross-functionally communicate clearly and effectivelyAbility to logically structure meaningful and actionable analysis for use by Non-Finance/Accounting staffDemonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks in a complex, fast paced environment, with effective time-management skillsAdvanced Excel knowledge and proficiency with PowerPoint and WordPrior experience with NetSuite, Salesforce, and/or OpenAir a plusExperience maintaining, manipulating and reconciling large datasets is a plus