Accounting Specialist Lead

Why DOWL?

DOWL is a top-ranked, multi-disciplined consulting firm with over 60 years of experience in civil engineering and related services. Our in-house expertise spans Civil and Land Development, Construction-Related Services, Transportation and Structures, and Water and Environmental Services. At DOWL, you're valued. We support your growth, offer great benefits, and foster a culture of integrity, professionalism, and teamwork.

Finance & Accounting (Corporate Shared Services)

The Finance and Accounting Department at DOWL is responsible for managing financial operations, ensuring accurate reporting, and meeting all compliance requirements. The department consists of a high performing team that plays a vital role in sustaining the company's profitability and operational success. The team supports both corporate operations and project specific functions, working across the organization to provide full cycle accounting services, reporting, and forecasting.

Summary

The Accounting Specialist Lead serves as a senior resource for the Project Accounting Team, assisting with workload coordination, training, and process improvement while performing advanced project accounting functions, including client invoicing, cash receipt processing, project reporting, project setup and maintenance within accounting systems, and special projects and other duties as assigned. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following:

• Serve as primary technical lead and subject matter expert for Project Accounting Team
• Coordinate and facilitate training for Project Accounting Team and Project Managers, ensuring consistent application of billing and project accounting practices.
• Partner with the Project Accounting Team to research and resolve invoice inquiries and special requests from clients and Project Managers
• Coordinate and facilitate revenue generation and provide reports for period end project adjustments.
• Manage monthly invoices and related reports for assigned billing group.
• Assists with project accounting group meetings.
• Advise Project Managers on client invoicing matters and collection-related issues.
• Research and analyze cash receipts, coding, and posting of receipts.
• Provides support for remote bank deposit processing.
• Coordinate project accounting activities with project Managers, including project set up , project maintenance, and documentation governance.
• Review and validate monthly project financial reports to ensure accuracy of revenue recognition, billing, and client invoicing.
• Provide back-up assistance to Accounting Specialists.
• Assist with audit support activities, including preparation of audit support documentation, for responding to auditor’s requests.
• Develop and recommend process improvements that enhance billing accuracy, revenue recognition, and financial controls.
• Monitor project financial performance and identify risks, trends, and corrective actions affecting revenue and billing outcomes.
• Perform other related duties and special projects assigned. 

Qualifications

To be successful in this position, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty 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. 

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or a related discipline required
• 5-7 years of progressively responsible accounting experience required, including at least 5 years of project accounting experience preferred.
• Experience in an architecture/engineering/construction environment, preferred.

Job Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Highly meticulous and organized in work.
• Strong verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Exercise independent judgment in resolving complex billing, revenue, and project accounting matters.
• Ability to self-motivate, act, and operate independently with minimal supervision.
• Proficient with Microsoft Applications
• Experience with Deltek Vantagepoint, preferred.
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with all levels of employees, management, and external parties to maximize performance, problem solving, and achieve successful outcomes.
• Strong understanding of business office management

Physical Demands. The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit. The employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is regularly required to stand; walk and use hands. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to ten pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment. The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.