Project Accounting Lead

At Stantec, we have some of the world’s leading professionals passionate about enabling our business to be its best. Our business teams include finance, procurement, human resources, information technology, marketing, corporate development, HSSE, real estate, legal, and practice services. We bring diverse backgrounds, skills, and expertise and create a caring culture where everyone can thrive. Through teamwork and collaboration, we’re building a stronger, more resilient Stantec every day.

Your Opportunity

Take the first step towards designing your career. We have an exciting opportunity for you as a Project Accounting Lead (PAL). Reporting to the Regional Project Accounting Manager (RPAM), the PAL provides leadership to a 5-10 person Project Accounting team. The PAL is responsible for overall team oversight, mentorship, controls and policy compliance, and quality customer service.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Accountable for the effective management and leadership of a team of Project Accountants (PA), working with RPAMs and other PALs to ensure consistency between regions and business lines.
• Financial management of a portfolio of active, complex projects through the project life cycle partnering with Project Managers (PM) to ensure accurate project setup, maintenance, invoicing, and project closure. (25-50% of time)
• Evaluate project setup and budget change documentation, including client contract and information provided by the PM or PMA to ensure compliance with contractual requirements, internal Stantec controls and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). This includes review of contracts/agreements for proper fiscal authority, invoicing requirements, variable revenue, or unusual contract terms.
• Act as a subject matter expert in review of large contracts and complex contract terms.
• Drive excellent customer service and promote a customer-centric focus within the team to provide a quality of work that consistently meets or exceeds expectations.
• Set team members’ relevant goals, provide support to achieve those goals, and evaluate performance based on company prescribed processes.
• Manage resources and team workloads through effective evaluation and planning, keeping RPAMs updated on any issues/concerns.
• Recruit and select new talent.
• Manage initial training for new PAs with continued ongoing training and support as needed.
• Provide training for all team members on any new or changing processes, controls, policies.
• Implement and maintain a communication platform to ensure team stays fully informed.
• Maintain regular contact with direct reports individually and through team meetings to ensure engagement and to boost team morale.
• Responsible for ensuring their team’s timely and thorough WIP aging comments utilized by finance and operations management.
• Build strong relationships with and serve as a trusted advisor to our internal business partners including Business Center Operating Leaders (BCOL), Project Independent Reviewers (PIR), PMs, Project Manager Assistants (PMA), Finance Managers (FM), Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable to ensure collaborative teamwork.
• Partner with RPAMs and FMs in supporting BCOLs and PIRs on revenue recognition and other project matters.
• Collaborate with FMs in the project revenue adjustments (PRA) process in compliance with Stantec’s revenue recognition policy as well as other ad hoc analytical duties as assigned.
• Identify process improvement opportunities and escalate to PA leadership. Lead and train the team in implementation of any new management initiatives.
• Ensure team’s compliance with the Project Accounting and Revenue (PAR) controls through the prescribed monitoring and review processes, escalating any concerns to the RPAM or NPAM.
• Achieve utilization goals related to the project accounting team in Pune, India.
• Serve as the point of contact for PA Leadership and FMs in the preparation of internal and external audit support packages and inquiries related to audits.
• Lead project accounting peer review team meetings designed to test PAR controls as a subject matter expert, providing accurate guidance to the assigned team to ensure complete and compliant reviews.
• Facilitate the project accounting self-audit process to ensure timely and accurate results.
• Monitor team to ensure the custom rates and maintenance (CRAM) process is complete and rate tables and billing terms are updated in a timely manner.
• Ensure all assigned functions are carried out in compliance with approved policies, key controls, and standard practices.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Advanced level project accounting knowledge obtained through experience and/or education
• Strong leadership skills required; previous supervisory experience preferred
• Excellent problem-solving skills
• Excellent customer service and communication skills (written and oral)
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong organizational skills
• Able to build and foster excellent working relationships
• Adaptability and willingness to embrace change
• Ability to identify potential implications of actions to mitigate downstream financial impacts.
• Intermediate Microsoft Excel skills required
• Comprehensive understanding of IFRS 15 and Sarbanes Oxley concepts
• Knowledge of general contracting

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary degree in accounting or a related field plus 5+ years of relevant work experience preferred. A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience may substitute for education and experience.

This position will primarily work in an office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time. 

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. The diverse perspectives of our partners and interested parties drive us to think beyond what’s previously been done on critical issues like climate change, digital transformation, and future-proofing our cities and infrastructure. We innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere, so that together we can redefine what’s possible.