Project Accountant Resume examples & templates

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Copyable Project Accountant Resume examples

Ever wondered who really keeps construction projects, IT implementations, or manufacturing overhauls from spiraling into financial chaos? Project Accountants are the unsung financial guardians who blend traditional accounting expertise with the unpredictable world of project management. They're the ones tracking every dollar across multiple timelines, battling scope creep, and translating complex financial data into actionable insights for project managers who might break into a cold sweat at the mention of cost variance analysis.

The field has evolved significantly in recent years, with Project Accountants increasingly using specialized software like Deltek Costpoint and Procore to manage complex financial tracking across multiple concurrent projects. According to a 2023 survey by the Construction Financial Management Association, projects with dedicated accounting professionals come in 17.3% closer to budget than those without specialized financial oversight. As remote work reshapes project execution and global supply chain disruptions continue to create financial uncertainty, skilled Project Accountants who can navigate both the technical aspects of accounting and the dynamic nature of project environments will find themselves in particularly high demand across industries from construction to healthcare tech.

Junior Project Accountant Resume Example

Emily Nguyen

Oakland, CA 94612 • (510) 555-8174 • emily.nguyen92@gmail.com • linkedin.com/in/emilynguyen92

Detail-oriented Project Accountant with experience in financial reporting, budget tracking, and month-end close processes. Quick learner with strong analytical skills and proficiency in accounting software. Seeking to leverage my accounting degree and internship experience to contribute to a growing organization’s financial operations.

EXPERIENCE

Junior Project Accountant – Westbrook Construction Group, Oakland, CA
January 2023 – Present

  • Assist in managing financial aspects of 6 concurrent construction projects with combined budgets of $3.7M
  • Process and code 40+ vendor invoices weekly, ensuring proper allocation to specific projects
  • Reconcile project-related accounts, identifying and resolving $12,400 in discrepancies during Q1 2023
  • Create monthly project financial status reports for project managers and executive team
  • Support month-end close process by preparing journal entries and account analyses

Accounting Intern – Bay Area Financial Services, San Francisco, CA
May 2022 – December 2022

  • Assisted with accounts payable functions including invoice processing and payment preparation
  • Performed account reconciliations under supervision of senior accountants
  • Helped maintain financial records and organized documentation for audit purposes
  • Participated in weekly financial meetings and took detailed notes for department

Accounting Assistant (Part-time) – Student Financial Services, UC Berkeley
September 2020 – April 2022

  • Processed student payments and maintained accurate financial records
  • Responded to student inquiries regarding account balances and payment options
  • Assisted with basic bookkeeping tasks during peak registration periods
  • Filed and organized financial documents according to department protocols

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting – University of California, Berkeley
Graduated: May 2022, GPA: 3.7/4.0

  • Relevant Coursework: Financial Accounting, Managerial Accounting, Cost Accounting, Auditing, Taxation
  • Finance Club Treasurer (2021-2022)

Certifications

  • QuickBooks Online ProAdvisor Certification (2023)
  • Microsoft Excel Specialist (2022)

SKILLS

  • Accounting Software: QuickBooks, Sage 300 CRE, Microsoft Dynamics
  • Project Management: Budget tracking, cost analysis, financial forecasting
  • Technical: Advanced Excel (VLOOKUP, pivot tables, macros), SQL basics
  • Financial: Month-end close, journal entries, account reconciliation
  • Soft Skills: Attention to detail, time management, problem-solving
  • Other: Microsoft Office Suite, Google Workspace, Slack

Mid-level Project Accountant Resume Example

Michael Chen

San Francisco, CA | (415) 555-7291 | michaelchen@email.com | linkedin.com/in/michaelchen

Detail-oriented Project Accountant with 5+ years managing financial operations for construction and tech projects ranging from $850K to $14M. Known for developing streamlined reporting systems that cut month-end close by 31%. Excel wizard with strong communication skills who translates complex financial data into actionable insights for project managers and executives.

EXPERIENCE

Senior Project Accountant – Westbrook Construction, Inc., San Francisco, CA (March 2021 – Present)

  • Manage financial reporting and analysis for 8 concurrent commercial construction projects with combined budget of $14M
  • Created new cost tracking system that reduced billing errors by 27% and improved cash flow by $325K
  • Lead monthly reviews with project managers to identify cost variances and develop mitigation strategies
  • Implemented new AP workflow that cut invoice processing time from 12 days to 4 days
  • Train and mentor 2 junior accountants on project accounting best practices and construction industry standards

Project Accountant – TechBuild Solutions, Oakland, CA (June 2019 – February 2021)

  • Managed project accounting functions for 5 tech infrastructure projects worth $3.7M annually
  • Produced weekly financial reports tracking actual-to-budget performance, forecast projections, and cash flow
  • Collaborated with operations team to restructure work breakdown structure, improving budget accuracy by 18%
  • Reconciled subcontractor billings against contracts, identifying $76K in duplicate charges
  • Performed month-end close procedures including accruals, deferrals, and journal entry preparation

Junior Accountant – Patterson & Associates, San Jose, CA (August 2018 – May 2019)

  • Assisted with accounts payable and accounts receivable for 12 small business clients
  • Prepared monthly bank reconciliations and financial statements
  • Helped maintain fixed asset schedules and depreciation calculations
  • Supported year-end tax preparation and audit requirements

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science in Accounting – San Jose State University (2018)
Minor in Business Information Systems
GPA: 3.6/4.0

CERTIFICATIONS

Certified Management Accountant (CMA) – In progress, expected completion Dec 2023
QuickBooks ProAdvisor Certification – 2020
Microsoft Excel Expert Certification – 2019

SKILLS

  • Project Financial Analysis & Reporting
  • Cost Control & Variance Analysis
  • Budget Development & Forecasting
  • Month-End Close Processes
  • Contract Review & Compliance
  • Advanced Excel (VLOOKUPS, Pivot Tables, Macros)
  • ERP Systems: Oracle, SAP, Procore
  • Accounts Payable & Receivable
  • Revenue Recognition
  • Change Order Management

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Active member of Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA)
Volunteer tax preparer for low-income families through VITA program (2019-2022)

Senior / Experienced Project Accountant Resume Example

ELIZA CHEN, CPA

Boston, MA • (617) 555-8913 • echen@emailpro.net • linkedin.com/in/elizachen

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Project Accountant with 9+ years of experience specializing in cost control and financial analysis for multi-million dollar construction and manufacturing projects. Proven track record of reducing budget variances by implementing robust tracking systems and forecasting models. Skilled at translating complex financial data into actionable insights for project managers and executives, with a knack for identifying cost-saving opportunities that don’t compromise project quality.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Project Accountant | Northeastern Construction Group | Boston, MA | 01/2020 – Present

  • Manage financial oversight for 8 concurrent construction projects with combined budgets exceeding $78M, ensuring accurate cost tracking and variance analysis
  • Reduced month-end closing time from 12 days to 5 days by revamping workflows and implementing automated reconciliation procedures
  • Developed custom Excel models that improved cash flow forecasting accuracy by 31%, enabling more strategic resource allocation
  • Lead quarterly budget reviews with project managers and executives, presenting financial status updates and risk assessments
  • Mentor team of 3 junior accountants, providing training on industry-specific accounting practices and project management software

Project Accountant | Meridian Manufacturing Inc. | Cambridge, MA | 06/2017 – 12/2019

  • Managed financial activities for manufacturing projects ranging from $2.5M to $15M, maintaining budget accuracy within 4% of projections
  • Created standardized WIP reporting templates that were adopted company-wide, saving approximately 12 hours per month in reporting time
  • Collaborated with procurement team to identify $427K in annual savings through vendor consolidation and contract renegotiations
  • Implemented job costing system that improved labor allocation accuracy by 27% and highlighted inefficiencies in production processes

Junior Accountant | Beacon Financial Services | Boston, MA | 08/2014 – 05/2017

  • Assisted with month-end close process, including account reconciliations and journal entry preparation
  • Prepared financial statements and supporting documentation for quarterly reviews
  • Managed accounts payable function for construction division, processing avg. 175 invoices weekly
  • Contributed to implementation of new accounting software (QuickBooks Enterprise), including data migration and user testing

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

Master of Science in Accounting | Northeastern University | Boston, MA | 2014

Bachelor of Business Administration, Finance | University of Massachusetts | Amherst, MA | 2012

Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | Massachusetts | License #CP-87542 | 2016

Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) | 2019

TECHNICAL SKILLS

  • Project Accounting Software: Viewpoint, Procore, Sage 300 CRE (formerly Timberline)
  • Financial Analysis: Advanced Excel modeling, PowerBI, Crystal Reports
  • ERP Systems: Oracle Financials, SAP (basic), NetSuite
  • Cost Forecasting & Budgeting: Earned Value Analysis, Cash flow projections
  • General Accounting: GAAP compliance, Financial reporting, Month-end close

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Active member of Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) since 2018
Volunteer tax preparer for low-income families through VITA program (2017-present)
Fluent in Mandarin Chinese

How to Write a Project Accountant Resume

Introduction

Landing that perfect Project Accountant job starts with a resume that showcases your financial expertise and project management skills. Your resume isn't just a list of past jobs—it's your ticket to an interview. I've reviewed thousands of Project

Accountant resumes over my career, and the difference between ones that get interviews and those that don't often comes down to how well you balance technical accounting knowledge with practical project experience. Let's break down exactly what you need to create a resume that makes hiring managers take notice.

Resume Structure and Format

Keep your resume clean and scannable. Finance professionals appreciate order and clarity (we're accountants, after all!). Aim for 1-2 pages depending on your experience level—newer professionals should stick to one page, while those with 7+ years might need two.

  • Use a professional, readable font (Arial, Calibri, or Garamond work well)
  • Include clear section headings with plenty of white space
  • Use reverse chronological order for your work history
  • Save as a PDF to preserve formatting (unless specifically asked for a Word doc)
  • Name your file professionally: "FirstName_LastName_ProjectAccountant.pdf"
Financial professionals review documents quickly! Studies show most recruiters spend just 7.4 seconds scanning a resume on first pass. Make those seconds count by putting your most impressive achievements in the top third of your document.

Profile/Summary Section

Start with a concise summary (3-5 lines) that highlights your most relevant qualifications. This isn't the place for your life story—focus on what makes you perfect for project accounting specifically.

Example: "Project Accountant with 5+ years managing financial aspects of construction projects valued at $2-15M. Experienced in cost analysis, variance reporting, and client billing. Reduced month-end closing time by 17% while improving accuracy. Known for translating complex financial data into actionable insights for project managers."

Professional Experience

This is where you'll win or lose your interview chance. For each position, include:

  • Company name, location, and dates (month/year)
  • Your title and a brief description of the company/department if needed
  • 4-6 bullet points focusing on achievements, not just responsibilities
  • Concrete numbers wherever possible ($ amounts, percentages, project counts)

Strong bullet example: "Managed $4.7M monthly billing cycle for 14 simultaneous highway infrastructure projects, reducing billing errors by 23% and decreasing DSO from 47 to 32 days."

Weak bullet example: "Responsible for billing and collections for multiple projects."

Education and Certifications

List your degree(s), university, and graduation year. For Project Accountants, relevant certifications can be real differentiators. Highlight:

  • CPA, CMA, or other accounting credentials
  • Project management certifications (PMP, CAPM)
  • Software proficiencies (QuickBooks, Sage, NetSuite, Deltek, MS Project)
  • Continuing education relevant to project accounting

Keywords and ATS Tips

Most companies use Applicant Tracking Systems that scan resumes before human eyes ever see them. Include these terms naturally throughout your resume:

  • Cost accounting, project budgeting, variance analysis
  • Revenue recognition, percentage of completion
  • Job costing, WIP reporting, earned value
  • Progress billing, change orders, retention
  • Month-end close, forecasting, cash flow

Industry-specific Terms

Project Accountants work across many industries—construction, IT, consulting, engineering. Tailor your resume with terms from your target industry. For construction, mention "change orders" and "retention accounting." For IT projects, reference "capitalized software development" or "agile project costing."

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Being too generic—every Project Accountant processes invoices and does month-end close
  • Focusing on routine tasks instead of achievements and impact
  • Forgetting to show both accounting AND project management skills
  • Using the same resume for every application without tailoring
  • Including outdated software or irrelevant experience from 15+ years ago

Before/After Example

Before: "Responsible for project accounting duties including accounts payable and receivable."

After: "Managed financial reporting for 8 concurrent commercial development projects ($3-12M range), implementing a standardized forecasting system that identified $341K in potential cost overruns before they impacted project profitability."

Remember—your resume isn't just about what you did, but about the value you brought to past employers and can bring to your future one. Good luck with your Project Accountant job search!

Soft skills for your Project Accountant resume

  • Cross-functional communication – translating financial data for non-finance stakeholders
  • Deadline management under pressure (especially during month-end close)
  • Detail orientation while maintaining big-picture perspective
  • Conflict resolution when budget variances create team tension
  • Adaptability to evolving reporting requirements and financial software
  • Tactful delivery of budget constraints to project teams

Hard skills for your Project Accountant resume

  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, complex formulas)
  • SAP Financial Modules implementation and configuration
  • Month-end close process management with 3-day turnaround
  • Financial variance analysis and forecasting
  • Budgeting for multi-phase construction projects ($5M-$25M range)
  • QuickBooks Enterprise and NetSuite ERP systems
  • Revenue recognition under ASC 606 standards
  • PowerBI dashboard creation for project financial reporting
  • Fixed asset tracking and depreciation scheduling