The Project Accountant (PA) is responsible for proactively monitoring the financial management and performance of client projects to accurately bill clients, maximizing billing potential and reducing lost opportunities. This role partners closely with Account Service, Operations, and Accounting to ensure every client engagement is accurately budgeted, tracked, billed, and reported. In addition to improving billing accuracy and optimization, the PA acts as an internal conduit to facilitate smoother billing processes within the agency. The ideal candidate combines accounting expertise with strong analytical and project management skills to monitor project profitability, labor utilization, and budget performance while helping agency teams make informed financial decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Essential Functions:

Project Financial Management Monitor project financial performance against approved budgets and identify risks to profitability Track actual labor costs, production costs, media, travel, and third-party vendor/contractor expenditures by project Review project financials throughout the job lifecycle and recommend corrective actions when budgets are at risk Time & Cost Accounting Ensure employee time is accurately coded and charged to the appropriate client jobs Monitor labor utilization and reconcile time reporting with project budgets Track all direct and indirect project costs against individual client jobs Validate that vendor invoices, purchase orders, expense reports, and production costs are properly allocated Client Billing & Revenue Recognition Collaborate with Account Service team to review all open jobs and determine billing approach for each Ensure billing process for each client reflects contract terms, project milestones, retainers, or time-and-materials billing Support the preparation of client invoices and review them for accuracy against billing instructions from previously determined billing approach Coordinate with Account Service Team to ensure billable costs are complete before invoicing Monitor unbilled work and aged WIP to improve billing cycle efficiency Support revenue recognition in accordance with company policy and applicable accounting standards Monitor advanced billing, working with both the Accounting and Account Service teams Financial Reporting & Analysis As directed, produce reports on: Project profitability Budget vs. actual costs Labor utilization Job margins Work-in-progress (WIP) Job Profit & Loss Over-servicing and scope creep Analyze project trends and identify opportunities to improve financial performance. Provide financial insights to agency leadership, client service teams, and project managers Cross Functional Collaboration Serve as the financial partner to Account Service and Operations Team throughout project execution Assist with project forecasting, change orders, and budget revisions Educate project teams on financial best practices, job costing, proper job opening procedures, and budget management Support month-end and year-end close activities related to project accounting Assist with project quoting as backup to primary quoting team

Required:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; OR Associate degree and 7+ years of direct experience 3-7 years' experience in accounting or financial analysis Strong understanding of general accounting principles, job costing, project accounting, budget management, and revenue recognition Proficiency in accounting software and/or database systems including experience with agency specific systems such as Advantage, Workamajig, Function Point, Workfront, NetSuite, Deltek, or similar systems Advanced Excel skills Strong overall computer skills, including proficiency in MS Outlook and Word Organized with strong attention to detail Ability to follow processes and precisely handle high volumes of data Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) Strong analytical and computation skills Ability to multi-task, managing multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment Ability to read and comprehend instructions, correspondence, and memos Ability to solve problems and think critically Strong sense of confidentiality and respect for sensitive information Proactive, resourceful, strong team player Commitment to

Company Values Preferred:

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business Administration Prior Agency experience, preferably in advertising, marketing, consulting, architecture/engineering, or other project-based business Experience with agency timekeeping and resource planning systems Understanding of agency workflows, creative production, and client billing models Knowledge of utilization metrics, realization rates, and project margin analysis Experience supporting annual budgeting and financial forecasting Experience with Power BI, Tableau, Looker Studio, etc Accurately track all labor and project costs to client jobs Timely and accurate client billing Improve visibility into project profitability and budget performance Reduce billing delays and aged work-in-progress Provide financial reporting to enable better operational and strategic decision-making Support strong partnership among Account Service, Operations and Accounting