Project Accountant
Oversee and manage financial information for project budgets within an organisation.
Job opportunities
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Jobs in Jobstreet right nowJob growth
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In the last yearSalary
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Typical monthly salaryJob satisfaction
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Job opportunities
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Jobs in Jobstreet right nowSalary
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Typical monthly salaryJob growth
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In the last yearJob satisfaction
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On this page
- What's it like to be a Project Accountant?
- How to become a Project Accountant
- Top skills and experience for Project Accountants
What's it like to be a Project Accountant?
A Project Accountant is primarily responsible for overseeing the financial aspects of a project within a company. They perform tasks such as setting and managing project budgets, conducting financial reports, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and liaising between various departments. Project Accountants work across a range of industries, including construction, engineering and IT services, often being employed as part of a wider project management team. Knowledge of various project management and accounting software is often required for this role. It's a detail-oriented profession where key skills include numerical competency, time management and a clear understanding of financial law.
Tasks and duties
- Overseeing all financial aspects of project management, including budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting.
- Tracking project costs, comparing actual results with estimates and identifying areas to improve cost efficiency.
- Setting up project accounts within the system and closing out projects upon completion.
- Analysing profit-and-loss statements, overhead costs and other project-specific financial statements.
- Collaborating with project managers to develop project financial status reports and resolve accounting issues.
- Ensuring compliance with accounting procedures and internal protocols.
- Preparing monthly financial progress reports for projects under management and presenting them to top executives.
How to become a Project Accountant
To pursue a career as a Project Accountant, seek hands-on experience in diverse projects where demonstrating the ability to work independently is crucial. This is particularly valuable as many project accountants also work freelance, aside from being part of large organizations.
- Obtain a bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field to establish foundational knowledge, including courses in financial accounting, managerial accounting, and project management.
- Obtain professional certifications such as ACCA or CIMA to demonstrate your commitment to excellence and your expertise in accounting practice.
- Master accounting software like QuickBooks or SAP through formal training or self-directed learning to effectively manage budgets, financial reporting, and resource allocation in project settings.
- Seek hands-on experience in accounting roles, especially those involving project management or financial analysis, through internships, entry-level positions, or volunteer opportunities.
- Create an impressive portfolio showcasing your accomplishments, including examples of projects, challenges overcome, and impact made in previous roles, to enhance visibility to potential employers during job searches.
Skills and experience employers are looking for
Having the right skills and experience can make you an in-demand applicant. Project Accountant employers on Jobstreet are looking for job seekers with expertise in the following areas. Accounting
Finance Support
Cash Flows
Commercial Analysis
Project Administration
Project Finance
Forecasting
End of Month Reports
General Ledger
Variance Analysis
Journal Entries
Financial Reporting
Budgeting
Invoicing
Financial Compliance
Financial Planning and Analysis
Financial Statements
Financial Performance
Grant Management
Financial Modelling
Source: Jobstreet job ads and Jobstreet Profile data
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