Accounting Manager – Revenue & Project Accounting
Location: Northern Virginia
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Construction / Project-Based Environment
The Opportunity
A large, highly established organization in Northern Virginia is seeking an Accounting Manager to join its corporate accounting team. This is a hands-on leadership opportunity combining revenue recognition, project accounting, month-end close, technical accounting, systems/process improvement, and team management.
Reporting into senior accounting leadership, this individual will oversee two accounting professionals while remaining actively involved in day-to-day accounting. The ideal candidate is a strong Senior Accountant or Accounting Manager who understands revenue and project-based accounting, has participated in an ERP implementation, upgrade, or system conversion, and enjoys improving processes while still getting into the details.
Key Responsibilities
- Own accounting activities related to revenue, accounts receivable, cash, and active projects, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Prepare and review monthly journal entries, account reconciliations, and other month-end and year-end close activities.
- Manage accounting throughout the lifecycle of active projects, including new project/job setup, ongoing accounting and reporting, and project closeout.
- Support proper revenue recognition for long-term projects and customer contracts in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
- Perform technical accounting research related to revenue recognition and advise management on the application of accounting guidance.
- Lead preparation of year-end and preliminary audit schedules, PBC requests, and revenue-related financial statement disclosures.
- Support consolidation activities and financial reporting requirements.
- Maintain and enhance accounting policies, procedures, documentation, and internal controls.
- Partner with Accounting, Finance, IT, and operational teams on cross-functional initiatives.
- Identify opportunities to streamline manual accounting processes and automate high-volume activities.
- Participate in and/or lead ERP implementations, upgrades, system conversions, and accounting technology initiatives.
- Document end-user and business requirements, perform system testing, and train users on new accounting tools and processes.
- Manage, coach, and develop two accounting professionals while reviewing their work for accuracy and completeness.
- Provide accounting and reporting support for new business initiatives and other special projects.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
- 4+ years of progressive accounting experience.
- Strong foundation in month-end close, journal entries, account reconciliations, financial reporting, and audit support.
- Experience with revenue recognition and contract/project-based accounting.
- Experience with construction or job-cost accounting is highly preferred, but candidates from other project- or contract-based environments will be considered.
- Hands-on ERP implementation, system upgrade, system conversion, or accounting automation experience required.
- Previous leadership experience, including managing, mentoring, training, or reviewing the work of accounting professionals.
- Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and internal controls.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills and strong overall systems aptitude.
- CPA preferred but not required.
- Experience with large ERP and financial reporting platforms is a plus.
Ideal Candidate
The strongest candidate will be someone who:
- Has progressed from Senior Accountant into Accounting Manager-level responsibilities.
- Understands how revenue flows through a project- or contract-based organization.
- Has strong hands-on accounting fundamentals and isn't afraid to get into the details.
- Has personally participated in an ERP implementation, upgrade, conversion, or major accounting systems initiative.
- Can manage a small team while continuing to own accounting deliverables.
- Enjoys identifying inefficiencies and implementing better processes.
- Can effectively communicate technical accounting matters to both accounting and operational stakeholders.
Why Consider This Opportunity?
This is an opportunity to join a large, financially stable organization with significant long-term growth potential. The role provides a strong combination of technical accounting, leadership, systems exposure, process improvement, and operational visibility.
For a strong Senior Accountant looking to step into management—or an Accounting Manager looking for greater scale and complexity—this position provides an excellent platform for continued career growth.