Project Accountant - Civil Engineering

Sterling Engineering, Inc.

Chicago, IL
12 days ago

$60,000–$85,000 Per Year

Highlights

This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional with AEC industry experience who enjoys partnering with Project Managers, owning the billing process, and playing a key role in the financial success of complex engineering projects. Manage multiple billing structures, including Time & Materials (T&M), Lump Sum/Fixed Fee, and Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contracts .

Numbers & Facts

Location	Chicago, IL
Industry	Staffing/Employment Agencies
Salary	$60,000–$85,000 Per Year
Company Size	500 to 999 employees
Year Founded	1969
Website	http://www.sterling-engineering.com

Description

Title: Project Accountant - Civil Engineering

Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid Schedule)
Shift: 1st Shift
Hire Type: Direct Hire
Salary: $60k-85k+ per year

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Sterling Engineering is hiring a Project Accountant for a growing civil engineering consulting firm that offers schedule flexibility, professional development, and a collaborative environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an accounting professional with AEC industry experience who enjoys partnering with Project Managers, owning the billing process, and playing a key role in the financial success of complex engineering projects.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare monthly project invoices, pre-bills, and billing packages using QuickBooks and BQE CORE
Review billable labor, direct expenses, subconsultant costs, and project charges for accuracy
Partner with Project Managers to review project budgets, burn rates, and contract performance
Process billing adjustments related to scope changes, contract modifications, and unbillable time
Ensure invoices comply with client contracts, billing requirements, and public agency guidelines
Manage multiple billing structures, including Time & Materials (T&M), Lump Sum/Fixed Fee, and Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contracts
Submit invoices through client, municipal, and state e-billing portals while resolving any submission issues
Monitor accounts receivable aging and support collection efforts alongside Project Managers
Track weekly employee timesheets and assist with payroll processing
Maintain accurate project financial records while supporting revenue recognition and month-end reporting

Qualifications

Must have a Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field, or equivalent industry experience
Must have 3+ years of Project Accounting experience within the Architecture, Engineering, or Construction (AEC) industry
Strong understanding of project-based accounting and contract billing
Experience with Time & Materials, Lump Sum, and Cost-Plus contract structures
Hands-on experience with QuickBooks and BQE CORE or similar AEC project accounting software (Ajera, Deltek, etc.)

Why You'll Love This Opportunity

Flexible hybrid schedule offering an excellent work-life balance
Join a growing engineering firm making a lasting impact on infrastructure projects throughout the region
Highly collaborative environment where accounting works closely with project leadership
Opportunity to become the financial expert supporting high-profile engineering projects
Stable organization with long-term career advancement opportunities
Diverse responsibilities that combine accounting, project management support, contract administration, and financial analysis
Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package designed to support your personal and professional growth

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

About Company

Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:

Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.

Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.

Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.