Project Finance Specialist

As a Project Finance Specialist at ICF, your primary responsibilities include setting up new projects in the ERP system, monitoring and analyzing project financials, re-forecasting to ensure correct revenue recognition, and calculating monthly sub-contractor accruals. You will also be involved in client billing and help the Treasury team manage aging debts while maintaining month-end reporting processes. These tasks are crucial in supporting project management and ensuring financial accuracy.

To apply for the Project Finance Specialist position at ICF, you should have at least 2 years of experience in a finance function, preferably in professional services. Intermediate Excel skills are essential, particularly in financial modeling, along with experience using financial systems like Maconomy. Additionally, a keen interest in continuing education and pursuing finance qualifications will be beneficial.

ICF looks for a Project Finance Specialist who exhibits strong interpersonal and communication skills, a solid work ethic, and the ability to meet deadlines. You should be self-motivated, organized, and possess a proactive attitude towards learning and development. The ideal candidate is a team player who embraces challenges and is eager to contribute positively to the team environment.

As a Project Finance Specialist at ICF, you will primarily use our financial systems, including the recently adopted Maconomy. Familiarity with various financial tools will greatly aid you in fulfilling your job responsibilities efficiently, such as managing project financials and conducting analyses.

ICF is committed to the professional development of its employees, including Project Finance Specialists. You will be encouraged to pursue finance qualifications, receive opportunities for training, and gain valuable experience through hands-on involvement in complex projects, enabling you to enhance your skills and career potential.

When discussing your experience with financial forecasting, provide specific examples where you successfully anticipated financial needs based on project progression. Highlight any tools or methodologies you utilized to improve accuracy and demonstrate your ability to communicate these forecasts to your team effectively.

To address this question, emphasize your organizational skills and provide a structured approach to prioritization. Discuss how you evaluate project urgency, delegate tasks when necessary, and communicate with team members to ensure deadlines are met without compromising quality.

During your response, mention key Excel functions such as pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and advanced formulas that you utilize for financial modeling and reporting. Providing specific examples of how you've applied these functions in previous roles will showcase your proficiency.

Share a specific situation where you identified and rectified a financial discrepancy. Detail the steps you took to investigate the issue, communicate with relevant stakeholders, and ensure everything was resolved accurately. This will illustrate your attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Emphasize your communication skills and ability to build rapport with Project Managers. Describe how you keep them informed about budget statuses and financial performance, fostering a collaborative environment to ensure project success.

Discuss your understanding of SOX regulations and how you ensure compliance in your current or previous roles. This might include implementing controls in financial reporting processes, conducting regular audits, and staying updated on regulatory changes.

You should outline your process for managing subcontractor payments, including how you track their performance and submit timely accruals. Highlight your attention to detail and ability to ensure that the financial records reflect true project costs.

In your answer, discuss your systematic approach to client billing, including how you maintain clear documentation, follow up on overdue accounts, and ensure accurate invoicing based on project milestones.

Share approaches you take, such as attending industry webinars, participating in professional associations, or subscribing to financial publications. This demonstrates your commitment to ongoing education and continuous improvement.

When answering this question, align your skills and career aspirations with the opportunities at ICF. Speak to your passion for finance, the appeal of working in a collaborative environment, and the chance to contribute to innovative projects that solve real-world challenges.