Assistant Project Specialist

Location: Akron, OH
Job Type: Contract-to-Hire

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a detail-oriented Assistant Project Specialist to join their growing team in Akron, Ohio. This position plays an important role in supporting transmission project accounting, financial reporting, asset ownership validation, and project setup activities. The ideal candidate will have strong analytical skills, excellent organizational abilities, and experience working with financial systems and project data.

This is an outstanding opportunity for someone looking to grow their career in project support, accounting, or utility operations with a company that offers long-term career potential.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure accounting compliance for Transmission cost collectors.
• Determine proper asset ownership and incorporate findings into project accounting development.
• Navigate and interpret asset ownership across multiple company systems while identifying and reporting discrepancies.
• Establish appropriate project accounting settlement rules based on operating companies, voltage classifications, capital expenditures, removals, and O&M expenses.
• Support financial forecasting by resolving project accounting issues and processing CIAC-related system entries.
• Create project accounting structures and SAP work orders for approved Transmission Portfolio projects.
• Verify that accounting structures and work orders are accurately mapped to the appropriate projects.
• Run master data queries and maintain the integrity of master data within SAP and PowerPlan.
• Update and modify system records as needed to ensure data accuracy.
• Request new project locations to support work order creation, project tracking, and asset unitization.
• Perform ad hoc research related to project accounting and work orders.
• Support monthly financial reporting activities.
• Assist with the Transmission Forecast Tool and forecasting processes.
• Collaborate with Transmission Business Services, Asset Management, FERC & Wholesale, and Distribution teams.
• Conduct project accounting reviews for Project Managers prior to project execution.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Accounting, Communications, Construction Management, or a related field with some relevant experience; OR
• Associate degree with a minimum of 2 years of related experience; OR
• High School Diploma/GED with at least 4 years of related experience.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance or a related discipline.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with SAP, PowerPlan, or similar enterprise systems.
• Strong understanding of project accounting principles.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including:
  • Excel
  • Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Access
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate across multiple departments.