Job Information
Aston Carter Project Accountant in Johnstown, Ohio
Job Title: Project AccountantJob Description
The Project Accountant supports a portfolio of competitive transmission projects by coordinating project cost analysis, forecasting, budgeting, and cost controls. This role works closely with Project Managers and cross-functional teams to ensure accurate project financials, maintain budgets and forecasts within corporate systems, and apply project management best practices throughout the project lifecycle. The position involves extensive collaboration with internal stakeholders and external contractors or vendors, development and tracking of key performance indicators, and continuous improvement of tools and processes used by the project accounting team.
Responsibilities
Coordinate project meetings and work closely with project team members to support day-to-day project activities.
Support Project Managers in preparing, updating, and maintaining project documentation, plans, and related financial information.
Prepare and update forecasts of project spending and cash flows, and monitor budget variances and overall cost tracking and analysis.
Perform estimate-versus-actual analysis to ensure accurate depiction of project costs at the program and project levels.
Provide analysis and verification support for Sarbanes-Oxley-related activities, as needed, based on business unit requirements.
Assist with input to annual budgets, capital forecasts, five-year plans, and improvement requisitions.
Collaborate with Project Management and other stakeholders to perform variance reporting and establish original baseline budgets that are time-phased with schedule dates.
Create and maintain project breakdown structures to support effective cost tracking and reporting.
Perform departmental and organizational functions as assigned to ensure smooth operation of project activities, including tracking, analyzing, and verifying information for unvouchered liabilities.
Keep project system records current, accurate, and complete throughout the project lifecycle.
Coordinate the work order process from creation through in-servicing and closing, ensuring alignment with project budgets and schedules.
Assist in the contracting process as needed, including bidding activities, cost analysis, and cost tracking for contractors and vendors.
Interface directly with external contractors and vendors to integrate their work and costs into the overall project budget and schedule.
Communicate regularly with project team members and internal and external stakeholders regarding budgetary and cost-related items.
Provide information and seek assistance from others as necessary to resolve financial and project-related issues.
Apply technical knowledge and analytical techniques to perform varied assignments and solve project accounting and cost-related problems.
Use problem-solving skills to identify issues, propose solutions, and implement corrective actions related to project costs and financial performance.
Develop, compile, and track key performance indicators that provide measurable outcomes for project and program performance.
Demonstrate strong teamwork with colleagues, vendors, and customers by responding to inquiries, resolving work order issues, and implementing action plans in a fast-paced, results-oriented environment.
Understand and follow organizational project and work management standards, and assist in managing projects in accordance with those standards.
Adhere to project management governance guidelines and support the implementation of project management best practices.
Mentor and provide guidance to lower-level employees as appropriate, supporting their development in project accounting and cost control practices.
Recommend and support improvements that enhance the project accounting role, project performance, and overall service and product delivery.
Contribute to initiatives that support environmental and community stewardship through effective project and cost management.
Essential Skills
Experience in forecasting, budgeting, and cost analysis for projects.
Accounting or project accounting experience, including cost tracking and analysis.
With a qualified bachelor’s degree, at least 1 year of qualified experience; with a qualified associate’s degree, at least 3 years of qualified experience.
Qualified degree in a related field from an accredited college or university, such as Accounting, Business, Construction Management, Engineering Technology, or Project Management.
Qualified experience that includes utility-specific operations knowledge with a good working understanding of work processes and procedures.
Experience in one or more of the following areas: design, operations, planning, project management, cost tracking, forecasting project budgets, working with accounting principles, and/or construction.
Ability to manage time effectively and efficiently, with strong organizational and planning skills.
High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with a demonstrated ability to achieve goals.
Strong written and verbal communication skills at a technical and professional level.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to work effectively as a team player and collaborate well with others.
Commitment to understanding and supporting organizational policies, values, principles, structure, and behaviors.
Demonstrated customer-focused attitude and desire to listen to and satisfy internal and external customers who depend on the team’s work.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Exposure to corporate accounting systems and project cost management systems is preferred.
Exposure to construction environments and related project financial processes is preferred.
Familiarity with earned value management concepts and practices is preferred.
Exposure to scheduling systems and their integration with project budgets and forecasts is preferred.
Experience working in a utility or large infrastructure project environment is beneficial.
Experience participating in continuous process improvement efforts and developing tools and processes to support project accounting is an advantage.
Ability to mentor and support the development of junior team members is desirable.
Work Environment
This is a fully onsite position, requiring presence in the office five days per week. The standard schedule is Monday through Friday, with minimal overtime as needed to meet project deadlines and reporting requirements. Work hours follow either a traditional 5 days at 8 hours per day schedule or a 4 days at 9 hours per day schedule plus 4 hours on Friday. The role operates in a professional office environment with frequent interaction with project teams, corporate functions, and external contractors and vendors, and involves extensive use of computers, Microsoft Office applications, and corporate project and accounting systems.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Johnstown, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $35.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Johnstown,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.
About Aston Carter:
Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® double diamond winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com (%20astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com) for other accommodation options.