Senior Project Accountant

At Universal Rail Systems, our work is getting and keeping Canada’s railway operators in motion – safely and sustainably! We work coast-to-coast, in every railway sector, and on any size project. Our commitment is service excellence and offering our clients exceptional value. Within our team, we call this Doing It Right!

• Competitive pay
• An industry leading comprehensive benefits program
• Hybrid work environment
• The opportunity to work with a great team where Safety is an integral part of our culture
• Based on need, travel to various sites will be a requirement

Primary Function:
Reporting to the Accounting Manager, the Senior Project Accountant will play a vital role in ensuring the financial integrity and success of projects ranging to upwards of $25 million and will be responsible for overseeing the finance and accounting functions for these projects, providing accurate and timely financial information to support decision-making and project management efforts.

50% of your time:

• Ensure jobs are properly set up, maintained, and closed upon completion
• Signing off on job set-ups, budgets, rate tables, change management documents and job closeouts
• Manage all financial aspects of assigned projects, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control.
• Monitor project financial performance against budget and forecast, identifying variances and recommending corrective actions as needed
• Ensure compliance with project contracts, regulatory requirements, and internal policies
• Review project contracts and milestones to facilitate accurate billing and revenue recognition
• Conduct detailed cost analysis to track project expenses and identify cost-saving opportunities
• Implement cost control measures to optimize project profitability and mitigate financial risks
• Month end review, adjustments, cost accruals and revenue recognition
• Maintaining work files
• Setting up and maintaining Job Rate Table(s)
• Analyzing Over/Under Indirects and SG&A accounts
• Coordinating billings via unit rate payment applications, milestone billings and/or force account submissions

15% of your time: Support

• Collaborate with project teams to develop realistic budgets and cost estimates for new projects
• Support OC Manager, Project Manager, and Accounting Manager
• Coordinate with project managers to ensure timely and accurate invoicing to clients
• Monitor accounts receivable and work with the finance team to resolve billing discrepancies and disputes
• Manage the Payroll data captures and customer billing processes
• Manage the DSO for the area to keep with in targets
• Assist with bids, margins, RFI, RFP, and setting bill rates as required

15% of your time: People Management

• Supervision of Job Cost Administrators, AR Technicians
• Regular activities include approving overtime or time off, approving and signing expenses, assigning and responsible for work completion and quality
• Mentor staff providing feedback and developing succession plans for team
• Annual and mid-year reviews for employees

10% of your time: Reporting

• Prepare and analyze financial reports for project stakeholders, including project managers, executives, and clients
• Generate project-specific financial statements, cash flow projections, and cost reports
• Communicate financial results and insights effectively to non-financial stakeholders.
• Monthly detailed performance review to set critical financial focus for the current month, month end activities within the area to ensure accurate and timely cutoff and statements
• Providing cost analysis and reports to measure actual to planned job progress for forecasting
• Monthly reforecast
• Business cases on an ad hoc basis

10% of your time: Process and System

• Contribute to process improvement initiatives
• Understand and monitor the use of the Accpac system and others to ensure that they are capturing and reporting the data required for all user groups
• Assist in the development and maintenance of the Accpac system as updates and changes to the business environment evolve to ensure the Accpac system will continue to work in an effective and efficient manner

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field. CPA designation preferred
• Technology-savvy but importantly, an Excel Wizard!
• 4+ years relevant work experience as a Project Accountant - you are happy building new relationships and introducing change by getting by-in
• Prior experience in project accounting in the construction or engineering industry
• Willingness to travel as an integral part of the project team
• 2 years supervisory experience
• Prior experience working with operations
• Prior experience in project management or project controls and change management is a requirement
• Proficiency in financial analysis, budgeting, and cost control principles
• Professional accounting experience including job costing, financial analysis and financial reporting
• Knowledge and understanding of sales agreements and contracts

We would like to thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Universal Rail Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

#EST

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: $100,000.00-$125,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental care
• Employee assistance program
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Flexible schedule
• Life insurance
• Paid time off

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:

• project management or project controls: 5 years (required)
• supervisory: 2 years (required)
• demonstrable understanding of sales agreements and contracts: 1 year (required)
• working with operations on major projects: 2 years (required)
• construction accounting: 1 year (required)
• productivity indicator: 1 year (required)
• Change management: 1 year (required)

Licence/Certification:

• Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) (preferred)

Ability to Relocate:

• Bolton, ON L7E 3B5: Relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: In person