Location

Head Office

Overview

Reporting directly to the Senior Manager, Development Finance and indirectly to the Development Coordinator, the Cost Accounting Assistant is primarily responsible for working with a large portfolio of projects and providing support to the Development Coordinator, Development Managers and Construction Managers in producing accurate and timely accounting for the project portfolio, while identifying and mitigating risk. The Cost Accounting Assistant also has a role in working with the other finance professionals on the team to support the company’s financial plans, policies and accounting practices in accordance with compliance and legislative requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities

Purchase Accounting, Invoicing & Construction Billing:

• Process vendor invoices and purchase orders, as well as coordinating with Accounts Payable Manager for payment of invoices;
• Review and verify cumulative invoices submitted by vendors are accurate;
• Onboard vendors inline with the company’s vendor policy;
• Process budget revisions through coordination with Development/Construction Managers;
• Conduct project accounting activities such as reviewing project related vendor expenses, reviewing project percentage completion and work in progress, and responding to information requests from project managers;
• Support Development/Construction Managers by ensuring timely resolution of invoice or account payable issues. Also assist and support with the mapping and the correct allocation of costs to projects accounts and work packages;
• Effectively communicate with Development/Construction Managers regarding contract/purchase order documents, change orders and other contract/purchase order modifications, approvals, and any additional services;
• Coordinate with other portfolio managers in preparing final invoice packages for all billable projects, for approval by the required individuals per the Delegation of Authority;
• Prepare general ledger reconciliations as required;
• Maintain internal controls processes and protocols as established within the development finance department;
• Prepare weekly and monthly actual cost and commitments reports for all development and construction projects.
• Other duties as assigned.

Project Budgeting:

• Ability to understand and review project budgets, reporting associated budget amendments and maintaining budgetary controls.

Requirements

• 2+ years’ experience as a Cost Accountant, or similar.
• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Finance or a related finance field
• A thorough knowledge of standard contract terms, including hourly, lump sum, not-to-exceed and how they are applied in the billing process.
• Proficiency in electronic accounting systems, such as Yardi.
• Proficiency in managing general ledgers, journal entries, and account reconciliations.
• Ability to understand project budgets and financial forecasts.
• Experience in project invoicing and billing.
• Excellent communication skills toward effective collaboration and client services.
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations and respond to changes in priorities.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, set priorities and see projects through to completion.
• Employ problem-solving skills and analysis, and report problems to the Development Finance Manager, as necessary.
• Good written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills.
• In-depth knowledge of best practices in accounting.