Your Role
The Project Accountant supports the financial success of the firm's projects by managing contracts, providing financial analysis, and ensuring the fiscal health of assigned projects throughout the full project lifecycle-from project setup and due diligence through invoicing, reporting, and collections. Working in close partnership with Project Managers,Studio Directors, andRegionalleadership, this role serves as a trusted financial resource to project teams and helps ensure work is both creatively exceptional and financially sound. The ideal candidate is highly organized, detail-oriented, and collaborative, with strong accounting, communication, and analytical skills. This position reports to the Regional Finance Director.
What You Will Do
Project Financial Management
Partner with Project Managers, Studio Directors, andRegionalleadershipto ensureaccurateand consistent project and studio-level financial reporting.
Review project contracts to understand scope, compensation, billing terms, and fee management requirements.
Maintain organized project contract files and ensure work authorizations and agreements are properly documented.
Support project start-up activities, including due diligence and adherence to firm project setup and collection procedures.
Review project work plans, staffing plans, budgets, backlog, and pipeline data to ensure alignment with approved fees.
Forecast actual vs. budget performance,analyzevariances, andprovidemeaningful insights to project, studio, and regional leadership.
Conduct regular financial review meetings with Project Managers to discuss billing status, unbilled labor, risks, and opportunities.
Lead project reconciliations as needed and manage financial close-outin accordance withfirm standards.
Billing & Revenue Management
Prepare, review, and processaccurateclient invoicesin accordance withcontract terms and monthly accounting deadlines.
Review draft invoices with Project Managers, including labor, reimbursable expenses, consultant costs, purchase orders, and required backup.
Interpret financial data in contracts and billings and clearly communicate billing requirements to project teams.
Maintain invoice tracking, ensure invoices are properly posted, and manage deferred revenue and revenue recognition.
Consultant & Vendor Coordination
Coordinate subconsultant contracts, purchase orders, invoicing, and paymentsin accordance withcontract terms.
Manageconsultantinvoicing and approvals through Coupa and ensureaccuratecoding andtimelyprocessing.
Track and reconcile consultant fees, expenses, and reimbursables against project budgets.
Accounts Receivable & Collections
Monitor project and studio Accounts Receivable and review aged AR reports regularly.
Follow up with Project Managers and clients on overdue, short-paid, or disputed invoices.
Research and resolve payment discrepancies and billing issues.
Systems, Controls & Team Support
Maintainaccurateproject data in the firm's accounting system (e.g.,DeltekVantagepoint), including contracts, budgets, billing terms, and compensation.
Conduct periodic audits to ensure project financials areaccurateand compliant with firm policies.
Serve as the financial liaison between project teams, studios, and regional leadership
Develop strongexpertisein the firm's accounting systems and serve as a resourcetoteams and consultants.
Participate in cross-training, ad-hoc financialanalysisor special projects.
Your Qualifications
Degreein Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
5+ years of experience in accounting or project accounting within a professional services firm; architecture, engineering, or design industry experience strongly preferred.
Strong understanding of contract-based billing, fee management, and project financial controls.
Advancedproficiencyin Excel with strong data management and analytical skills.
Experience withDeltekVision/Vantagepointstronglypreferred; experience with Coupa andTableaua plus.
Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail and a consistentlyhigh levelof accuracy.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
Clear, professional written and verbal communication skills; comfortable working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders.
Proactive, collaborative problem-solver who can work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Experience working with international projects, including multiple currencies, exchange rates, VAT, or international tax considerations, preferred.
Ability tomaintainproductivity and effectiveness in both a physical and virtual work environment.
**The estimated base salary range for this position is $85,000-105,000k, plus eligibility for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation is contingent on location and relevant skills,qualificationsand experience.
To learn more about our compensation philosophy and fullbenefitsofferings, please visit Great People, Great Rewards | Gensler.
Life at Gensler
At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to "Well-being Week," our offices reflectour people'sdiverse interests.
We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offera401k, profit sharing, employeestock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities.Our annual base salary range has beenestablishedbased on local markets.
As part of the firm's commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.
As architects, designers, planners and consultants, we partner with our clients on some 3,000 projects every year. These projects can be as small as a wine label or as large as a new urban district. With more than 3,500 professionals networked across 43 locations, we serve our clients as trusted advisors, combining localized expertise withglobal perspective wherever new opportunities arise.
Our work reflects an enduring commitment to sustainability and the belief that design is one of the most powerful strategic tools for securing lasting competitive advantage.
Clients
We have more than 2,000 active clients—large and small, public and private, for-profit and nonprofit—a true cross-section of the global economy. We put ourselves in the world of our clients to see issues and challenges through their eyes. Our approach to individual projects is always viewed in the context of our clients' larger business plans and strategies, enabling us to add more value to their enterprises.
Everything we do is organized around providing the best possible service to our clients. As we've grown, we've expanded resources and diversified our expertise to provide a 24/7-platform for delivering client projects, regardless of size, complexity or location.
Leadership
Gensler uses a collaborative model of senior leadership. Our Board of Directors sets overall strategy and policy. Executive Directors Andy Cohen, David Gensler and Diane Hoskins run the firm, working with and through our Management Committee. Together, they direct and integrate our practices, offices, and design and delivery teams to serve our clients effectively on a global, 24/7 basis.
Behind each client is a worldwide network of architects, designers, planners and consultants led by 196 Principals in 43 locations, a firm with an international reputation for innovative design, superb delivery, and efficient management of its teams and projects.
Please view our 2013 Appointments website to meet our newest Gensler Principals, Senior Associates and Associates.