Cost Accountant

Position Overview

The Cost Accountant plays a key role in supporting the financial health and success of our commercial electrical construction projects. Working remotely and in close collaboration with the Project Management team, this position is responsible for monitoring job costs, tracking budgets, analyzing variances, and ensuring accurate financial reporting throughout each project's full life cycle.

This role requires someone who combines strong analytical skills with a solid understanding of construction accounting principles — and who can communicate financial insights clearly and effectively to both technical and non-financial team members. The Cost Accountant is essential for helping the company maintain profitability, manage risk, and make informed business decisions through accurate cost analysis and timely financial reporting.

The right candidate is comfortable working independently in a remote environment while maintaining close coordination with Project Managers, leadership, and the broader accounting team. Construction accounting experience — particularly in electrical or specialty contracting — is a strong advantage.

Key Responsibilities:

Job Cost Monitoring & Budget Management

• Collaborate with Project Managers to develop and maintain detailed project budgets and financial forecasts
• Track and analyze all job costs throughout each project, including labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractor expenses
• Monitor project change orders and ensure accurate documentation, pricing, and corresponding budget adjustments are reflected in the system
• Maintain accurate records of purchasing, vendor contracts, and committed costs related to each active project

Financial Reporting & Variance Analysis

• Prepare monthly job cost reports and variance analyses for management review
• Participate in monthly job cost meetings with the Project Management team to review performance, identify variances, and recommend corrective actions
• Assist in preparing Work-in-Progress (WIP) schedules and contribute to monthly financial statement preparation
• Review project billing and revenue recognition to ensure compliance with company policies and contract standards

General Ledger Reconciliation & Data Accuracy

• Reconcile project costs with general ledger accounts and ensure data accuracy across all financial systems
• Maintain the integrity of project cost data through consistent data entry standards and regular reconciliation reviews
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between project-level cost tracking and GL records

Audit Support & Internal Controls

• Support internal and external audits with detailed cost documentation, reconciliations, and organized project records
• Continuously evaluate and improve cost tracking methods, accounting processes, and financial controls
• Ensure the company's cost accounting practices remain compliant with contract requirements and accounting standards

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with the Project Management team on a regular basis, serving as the financial counterpart to project leadership
• Communicate financial insights, budget status, and cost concerns clearly to non-financial team members
• Proactively flag financial risks, cost overruns, or budget anomalies to both accounting leadership and project management

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• 3 or more years of cost accounting experience, preferably in the construction or electrical contracting industry
• Strong understanding of construction job cost accounting, WIP schedules, and percentage-of-completion revenue recognition
• Proficiency in construction accounting software such as CMIC, Viewpoint Vista, Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate (Timberline), or a comparable platform
• Advanced Excel skills with the ability to build, maintain, and interpret complex financial spreadsheets
• Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a problem-solving mindset
• Clear and effective communication skills — you can explain financial data to people who are not accountants
• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment while staying closely coordinated with a cross-functional team

Preferred

• Direct experience in electrical contracting, commercial construction, or specialty trades accounting
• CPA or CMA certification — not required but a meaningful advantage
• Experience managing job cost reporting across multiple simultaneous projects
• Background supporting monthly financial close and WIP schedule preparation in a construction environment

Tools & Software

• Construction Accounting Platform — CMIC, Viewpoint Vista, Sage 300 CRE (Timberline), or comparable system
• Microsoft Excel — advanced proficiency required for financial modeling, variance analysis, and reporting
• General Ledger and ERP systems as applicable
• Video conferencing and collaboration tools for remote coordination with Project Management and accounting teams

What Makes You a Great Fit

• You understand how money moves through a construction project — and you catch cost problems before they become budget problems
• Your WIP schedules and job cost reports are accurate, organized, and ready for management review without needing cleanup
• Project Managers trust you because you communicate financial information in a way that is clear and actionable, not just technically correct
• You are comfortable being the financial eyes on projects from a distance, staying closely coordinated with the field team through remote communication
• You bring discipline and consistency to cost tracking, because you know that the data quality today is what drives the business decisions tomorrow

This is a full time role

Up to $9/hr

100% Remote