Project Accountant

NELSON is seeking an experienced Project Accountant to support our project teams and Finance leadership. The Project Accountant is responsible for managing a high volume of invoicing while working in conjunction with Senior Project Accountants, Finance Leaders and Project Managers to ensure projects are set up appropriately and all invoices sent to the client are correct. In this role, you will manage billing activities, support project financial management, and help ensure accuracy and compliance with client contracts and billing requirements. You will partner with Project Managers on invoicing, collections, forecasting, and unbilled balances, and serve as a key resource for resolving billing and project accounting challenges. Leveraging Deltek Vantagepoint, NELSON Business Insights (Tableau), and strong analytical skills, you will help improve financial processes, maximize project profitability, and support positive business outcomes across the firm.

 Attributes to support the NELSON Culture:

• Go All In. Own the Outcome. We go all in—with urgency, follow-through, and pride in the result.
• Be Direct. Be Respectful. Be Authentic.  We keep it real—with clarity, candor, and care. 
• Grow with Purpose.  We embrace growth—through learning, coaching, and continuous improvement. 
• Think Bold. Execute Smart.  We think boldly—and pair ambition with discipline. 
• Make Space for Everyone.  We value you—and build a culture where people can thrive and do their best work.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Critical features of this job are described under the headings below. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons.

Required Knowledge and Skills:  

• Excellent knowledge and ability to use analytical and problem-solving techniques to maximize profitability and achieve positive results
• Strong critical thinking, problem solving, analysis and spreadsheet capabilities 
• Proven ability to manage teams, complete tasks, and produce deliverables efficiently
• Must have strong independent thinking and decision-making skills
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally, graphically, and in writing
• Knowledge and ability to use Deltek Vantagepoint, NELSON Business Insights reporting (Tableau), MS Office, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and facilitating virtual meetings
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills
• Ability to multi-task, organize and prioritize tasks as needed to complete within the identified time frame
• Proficiency in contract administration, additional services management & collections resolution as it relates to our consulting partners

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned: 

• Issue a high volume and high complexity of invoices while working in conjunction with Project Managers to ensure all invoices sent to the client are correct and appropriate.
• Proactively manage unbilled time and expenses to ensure all aging balances are addressed by the Project Manager
• Submit all invoices to the clients
• Assist Project Managers with accounts receivable tracking and collection efforts
• Train Project Managers in billing processes and procedures
• Support onboarding of Project Managers
• Notarize documents
• Management of Missing Rates tool
• Assist with Project Review Meetings as needed
• Support Finance Leader as needed
• Point of escalation for billing & project challenges and inquiries
• General accounting support as needed
• Project forecasting
• Other duties may be assigned.

Education / Experience:

• High school diploma required
• Bachelors’ degree in Accounting or related field strongly preferred
• 2+ years’ experience in a high volume billing department, or equivalent combination of education and experience