Senior Project Accountant

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world's most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers, and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Responsible for the financial administration of projects across all business lines and project delivery teams, acting as the Finance representative on the project team. The Project Accountant will act as the senior project accounting expert in their geography and will assist in communicating and enforcing AECOM policy and best practice, and will have overall responsibility for project revenue recognition, including month end close activities. Primary responsibilities align with the use of Oracle and ePM as the selected management tools used to maintain and deliver projects within AECOM.

You will be responsible for ensuring the knowledge is transferred from the local finance team and documented for the projects you will take over responsibility for ensuring a smooth transfer of service.

• Act as a Business Partner with Project Managers (PM) and project delivery teams.
• Being available to the PM and Project Delivery teams to advise on finance issues
• Handle individual finance project queries from Ops teams
• Attendance on DoA review calls before month end
• Attendance on portfolio overview meetings with Ops management
• Develop strong working relationships with PM's and Ops teams through an appropriate combination of face time and remote working
• Monitor project performance and key indicators.
• Early identification and understanding of movements in project portfolio KPI's to help inform Ops teams of potential financial risks/opportunities
• Maintain a risks/opps log (utilisation of project revenue impacts file) to assist in providing financial support to Ops teams
• Support Business as required in understanding project performance.
• Communication of financial issues on projects to project teams
• Clearly explain to the wider business potential/actual project risks & opportunities
• Supporting PM's and Project Management Assistants (PMA) in use of ePM (company's project accounting system)
• Compute and check Revenue recognition calculation to ensure Accuracy, Completeness, and Compliance to policy.
• Is able to explain revenue recognition principles to non-finance staff
• Ensuring revenue recorded on the project(s) at month end is in line with revenue recognition rules
• Advising on the impact of changes in project finances that have wider financial implications eg Loss Provisions/Writedowns
• Understand the impact on Revenue Recognition of any unusual contractual issues on projects within the portfolio and specifically around profit segmentation.
• Understand the implications of contractual agreements in project set ups in ePM
• Understand the commercial and billing requirements of the projects, including complex issues.
• Work with the project teams to understand any specific billing and payment requirements of contracts
• Consistency Responsibilities
• Advise on the consistency of approach for the identification of Work/Work projects
• Advise on the application of non standard cost rates
• Identification of potential inconsistencies through project reviews and advise on accepted practice
• Ensure that the company's internal controls are consistently applied, compliant with SOX
• Review ePM workflows for project portfolio and identify inconsistencies in a project set up / EAC (Estimate At Completion) management
• Month end close, including project revenue adjustments, WIP (Work in Process) and loss provision analysis.
• Complete month end trackers accurately to ensure correct revenue recognition
• Meet month end deadlines to ensure timely reporting and posting of revenue events, WIP and Loss provisions
• Month End Revenue recognition finalization process and coordination with End Market FD
• DOA Processes
• Provide guidance to Ops teams on the requirements for DoA approvals
• Monitor for potential breaches in DoA approval process
• Assist in preparation of DoA approval requests for the month end process
• Review potential for billing and getting paid on projects as a means of mitigating DoA risk
• Internal and external audit support, when required
• Special projects and other duties as assigned
• Document processes and ensure that financial operational activities are executed and delivered as per the standards set by the company.

Qualifications

• Business/Accounting/Engineering Bachelors Degree desired.
• Qualified Accountant with designation preferred
• 6+ years of experience of project accounting desirable, preferably in a multinational engineering firm
• Demonstrable experience operating in a complex, fast paced, international business environment.
• Fluent in English (oral and written)
• Strong analytical & problem solving skills essential
• Ability to manage details but also understand the "big picture".
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility to work the days/hours of the countries you support and outside normal working hours as required to meet deadlines
• Identifies and executes initiatives and continuous improvements.
• Extensive operations interface and collaboration
• Collaborative and engaging in style and embraces a "best for business" mindset
• Ethical
• Well organised with strong time management skills and the ability to prioritise
• Must be pro-active and demonstrate the ability to see things through to the end
• Ability to be resourceful, hands on and work both independently and as part of a high-performing team
• Embodies through demonstrable behaviour the key elements of the AECOM values;
• Deliver: Growth through operational excellence and flawless execution.
• Dream: Reimagine what is possible. And realise it.
• Anticipate: Understand the complexity of our clients' challenges, and help them see further.
• Inspire: Develop and celebrate our people, and elevate the communities we touch.
• Collaborate: Connect expertise to create innovative solutions.
• Safeguard: Operate ethically and with integrity, while prioritising safety, ethics, and security, in all that we do.

Additional Information

• Experience of working for a large multi-national firm within a complex matrix structure would be highly preferred
• Ability to travel as required, particularly to meet transitional knowledge transfer schedules.
• Oracle experience desired. Proficient in MS Excel

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2024. Learn more at

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community - where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.