Director Project Accounting

Job Overview:

The Accounting Director - Project role is a finance leadership position embedded within a major EPC project. This role is accountable for driving financial performance, commercial discipline, and strong governance across the full project lifecycle, from project setup through execution and closeout. The Accounting Director serves as a trusted business partner to project leadership, working closely across internal stakeholders and partners to deliver accurate forecasting, disciplined cost management, robust cash flow oversight, and timely financial reporting.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Lead all project finance activities for a major EPC project, including budgeting, forecasting, cost control, revenue recognition, cash flow management, and monthly financial reporting
• Serve as the primary finance partner to the Project Director and project leadership team, providing insight, challenge, and decision support to improve financial and operational outcomes
• Own the project forecast, including estimate-at-completion, margin analysis, working capital, and cash collection, ensuring risks and opportunities are identified early and communicated clearly
• Drive financial governance and compliance with company policies, internal controls, delegated authority, and contractual requirements across the project organization
• Partner with project controls, contract management, and legal teams to evaluate commercial exposures, change orders, claims, contingencies, and other matters affecting project profitability and cash flow
• Lead financial input into customer and joint venture governance forums, including review meetings, operating committees, and project steering discussions, presenting the company’s position with clarity and credibility
• Build productive working relationships with joint venture partners and customer counterparts while maintaining firm alignment to the company’s contractual rights, financial controls, and commercial objectives
• Challenge cost assumptions, schedule impacts, risk assessments, and proposed commercial settlements when needed, escalating issues appropriately to protect the company’s financial interests
• Oversee invoicing, collections, funding requirements, and liquidity planning for the project, ensuring timely conversion of earnings to cash and disciplined management of working capital
• Lead, coach, and develop the project finance team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and high-quality analysis in a dynamic project environment
• Support internal and external audits, management reviews, and ad hoc executive requests with well-supported analysis and clear, concise communication

Essential Qualifications and Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related discipline required; CPA, CMA, or MBA preferred
• 10+ years of progressive finance or project accounting experience, with significant experience supporting large, complex EPC projects; energy, offshore, infrastructure, or oil and gas experience preferred
• Strong knowledge of project financial management, including estimate-at-completion, percent complete accounting, project cash flow, cost forecasting, and working capital management
• Demonstrated experience working with customers, consortium or joint venture partners, and cross-functional project teams in a complex contractual environment
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to interpret contracts, assess entitlement, support change orders and claims, and defend the company’s position with professionalism and confidence
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence project leadership, corporate stakeholders, customers, and joint venture counterparts
• Proven leadership capability, including building high-performing teams, developing talent, and driving accountability in a matrixed project environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex financial and operational information into actionable recommendations
• High degree of integrity, sound judgment, and resilience, with the ability to remain collaborative while holding firm on matters of controls, risk, and commercial position
• Strong systems capability, including advanced Excel and experience with ERP, project controls, and reporting tools used in large project environments
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet demanding deadlines, and perform effectively in a fast-paced, international project environment