Project Accountant

Location: Surrey, BC

Industry: Real Estate Development & Construction (Groundworks / Heavy Civil)

Employment Type: Full-Time

About the Role

We are seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Project Accountant to support financial operations across a diverse portfolio of development and construction projects. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in a project-driven environment and enjoys balancing both project accounting and corporate accounting responsibilities.

Whether your background is in real estate development, general contracting, groundworks, or another project-based industry, you will play a key part in ensuring accurate financial reporting, cost tracking, and project performance analysis.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Accounting

• Maintain project budgets and cost forecasts across development and construction phases.
• Track and reconcile project costs including labor, equipment, materials, subcontractors, and soft development costs.
• Prepare project financial reports, cost-to-complete schedules, and variance analyses.
• Process and review project-related invoices, purchase orders, change orders, and expense submissions.
• Manage project billing cycles—may include lender draw packages, progress billings, milestone billing, or percentage-of-completion.
• Support revenue recognition and ensure accurate job cost reporting.
• Collaborate with project managers, site teams, and development managers to monitor project financial performance.

Corporate Accounting

• Assist in monthly, quarterly, and year-end close including journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations (WIP, CIP, equipment, prepaid costs, etc.).
• Consolidate project financials into company-wide reporting.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes at both project and corporate levels.
• Prepare audit schedules and assist auditors with required documentation.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of accounting processes, internal controls, and ERP system efficiencies.

Collaboration

• Work closely with development teams, operations, site supervisors, finance, and external partners such as lenders, consultants, and auditors.
• Participate in project and financial review meetings to provide insights on cost trends, risks, and opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline.
• 2-5 years of experience in project accounting, construction accounting, real estate accounting, or corporate accounting in a project-based environment.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and revenue recognition principles.
• Proficiency with accounting/ERP systems (e.g., NetSuite, Sage, Viewpoint, JD Edwards, SAP, or similar).
• Solid Excel skills (pivot tables, lookups, financial modeling tools).
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines across several active projects.
• Experience in real estate development, general contracting, groundworks, civil construction, or other project-based sectors.
• Knowledge of WIP reporting, CIP accounting, and percentage-of-completion methods.
• CPA designation or progress toward an accounting certification (asset but not required).