The Project Accountant manages contract billing, accounts receivable, collections, project cost tracking, and financial reporting for the Natrium Project. Responsibilities include preparing cost-plus-fixed-fee invoices, resolving billing discrepancies, monitoring project costs and funding, tracking receivables, supporting forecasts and month-end close, maintaining audit documentation, and collaborating with Finance, Contract Administration, Project Management, and customers.
Job Description and Duties:
The Project Accountant is responsible for contract billing, accounts receivable, collections, project cost tracking, and financial reporting related to Hayward Tyler’s liquid sodium pump development and manufacturing program for TerraPower, referred to as the Natrium Project. This position administers customer invoicing under a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract and serves as a primary Finance contact for the Customer regarding billing and payment matters.
The successful candidate will work closely with Contract Administration, Project Management, Business Development, and Finance to ensure accurate and timely invoicing, maintain appropriate supporting documentation, monitor project costs and receivables, resolve customer inquiries, and provide reliable financial reports. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, organized, customer-focused, and able to meet demanding billing and month-end close deadlines.
Duties and Responsibilities:
Natrium Billing and Customer Interface
- Prepare and administer billings in accordance with contract terms and cost principles set forth in Title 48, Part 31.
- Respond promptly to TerraPower invoice questions, investigate discrepancies, and coordinate resolutions with Contract Administration, Project Management, and other departments.
- Track and report invoice submissions, approvals, rejections, and resubmissions to minimize billing delays.
- Follow up on overdue balances, escalating payment delays or disputes.
- Research short payments, deductions, disputed charges, and unapplied cash; coordinate timely resolution and accurate application of customer receipts.
- Develop effective working relationships with TerraPower accounts payable and contract personnel to facilitate invoice approval and payment.
Project Accounting and Financial Reporting
- Work with Contract Administration and Project Managers to track project costs, billing progress, contract funding, and financial forecasts.
- Review activity monthly for accuracy, proper coding, contract eligibility, and adequate supporting documentation.
- Monitor costs incurred, costs billed, unbilled costs, fixed fees, and remaining contract funding; identify variances and potential billing issues.
- Prepare and maintain billing trackers, monthly billing reports, accounts receivable aging, collections reports, and other management schedules.
- Support cash flow forecasting, project financial reviews, contract modifications, and management reporting.
Month-End Close and Other Responsibilities
- Complete assigned billing, reconciliation, and project accounting activities within established month-end close deadlines.
- Maintain accurate financial records, supporting schedules, and audit documentation in accordance with company policies and contract requirements.
- Identify opportunities to improve billing accuracy, collection performance, reporting, and accounting processes.
- Collaborate with the Finance Team, Contract Administration, Project Management, and other departments to resolve issues and support program objectives.
- Perform special projects and other duties as assigned by the Controller.
- Additional government and commercial customer opportunities as the business increases footprint in government and government subcontract work.
Minimum Qualifications / Winning Attributes
- Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred.
- Experience in accounting, project accounting, accounts receivable, customer billing, or collections; manufacturing experience preferred.
- Experience with cost-plus, cost-reimbursable, or other project-based contract billing strongly preferred.
- Understanding of project cost tracking, fixed-fee calculations, invoice support, contract funding, and accounts receivable management.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, lookups, and financial reporting; experience with ERP systems preferred.
- Experience with Database Queries and KPI Dashboards preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with exceptional attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a customer-focused approach to resolving billing questions.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet strict deadlines, and coordinate effectively across departments.
- Strong work ethic, professional judgment, accountability, and commitment to accuracy, integrity, and continuous improvement.
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