Project Accounting Manager

As a Project Accounting Manager at AECOM, you will be responsible for overseeing financial performance across project portfolios, ensuring compliance with financial regulations, and working closely with Project Managers to drive project success. Your role includes monitoring financial activities, analyzing performance data, and improving working capital management, all critical for the efficient management of various projects.

To qualify for the Project Accounting Manager position at AECOM, candidates should ideally hold a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Commerce, or a related field and have eight years of relevant experience. Preferred qualifications include project accounting experience in a professional services environment and a professional accounting designation such as CPA, alongside strong analytical and interpersonal skills.

Key skills for the Project Accounting Manager role at AECOM include strong commercial acumen, excellent communication abilities, and the capacity to interpret complex financial data. Additionally, having proven relationship-building skills with project teams and adaptability in driving financial performance amidst change is crucial for success.

At AECOM, the work environment for a Project Accounting Manager is dynamic and inclusive, emphasizing teamwork and collaboration. With hybrid work options available, you’ll enjoy the flexibility to work both remotely and in the office while being part of a global team committed to delivering impactful solutions across various projects.

The Project Accounting Manager at AECOM ensures financial compliance by overseeing adherence to SOX requirements and guiding project teams on the correct documentation and revenue recognition practices. This critical function helps mitigate financial risks and ensures that projects are managed according to industry standards and best practices.

AECOM values employee growth and offers numerous career development opportunities for Project Accounting Managers. By working on high-profile projects and collaborating with diverse teams, you will gain valuable experience that can lead to advanced positions within the firm or specialization in various aspects of financial management.

As a Project Accounting Manager at AECOM, you'll be involved in a wide array of projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and environmental sectors. Your role will include oversight of financial performance across these projects, ensuring they are delivered successfully and on budget.

In an interview, you may be asked to elaborate on your project accounting experience. Focus on specific situations where you managed financial performance, compliance, and reporting for various projects. Highlight your ability to collaborate with project managers and your familiarity with relevant accounting standards.

When asked about monitoring financial performance, share your systematic approach. Discuss the tools and methodologies you utilize for tracking budget variances, preparing financial reports, and analyzing key metrics, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication with project teams.

In addressing SOX compliance, explain your knowledge of relevant regulations and describe an instance where you implemented practices to ensure compliance in financial reporting and project documentation. Stress your attention to detail and commitment to maintaining high standards of governance.

Discuss your experience in identifying financial risks, providing specific examples of issues you've remedied in past projects. Highlight your problem-solving skills and the proactive measures you take to mitigate risks before they affect project outcomes.

Be prepared to detail a challenging project, specifying your role as a Project Accounting Manager. Describe the complexities you faced, how you adapted your financial oversight strategies, and the successful outcomes achieved through your leadership and collaboration.

List the financial software tools you’ve worked with, emphasizing your proficiency with systems commonly used in project accounting and financial reporting. Provide examples of how you've applied these tools effectively to enhance productivity or accuracy in financial management processes.

Illustrate your influence by recounting a situation where you collaborated with project teams to drive financial compliance and decision-making. Highlight the communication and interpersonal skills you used to guide teams towards beneficial financial practices.

Explain your forecasting process, detailing the methodologies or models you rely on to predict project budgets accurately. Discuss your approach to revising forecasts based on project changes and the importance of historical data and stakeholder input.

Discuss how you act as a financial partner to project managers. Share specific ways you assist with budget tracking, financial reporting, and providing insights that enhance decision-making for their projects, thus ensuring they stay within financial constraints.

Share specific strategies you’ve successfully implemented to improve working capital and cash flow, such as better tracking of Accounts Receivable or encouraging timely billing practices. Emphasize your systematic approach to enhancing cash performance.