Manager - Project Accounting

Manager, Project Accounting

MSA is looking for a Manager, Project Accounting to lead our team of Project Accountants and drive excellence in billing, revenue recognition, and project financial performance. In this role, you'll partner closely with Project Managers and Team Leaders to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and compliance while fostering a culture of collaboration and accountability.

You'll play a key role in guiding financial operations for client projects, helping identify risks, resolve billing challenges, and improve overall profitability. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact while mentoring and developing a high-performing team.

This role is onsite in either our Baraboo, Madison, Beaver Dam, or Appleton offices.

For over 100 years, MSA has helped shape communities through engineering excellence. What began in 1919 with a single practitioner in Baraboo, Wisconsin, has grown into a robust firm of over 500 employee owners across the U.S.

Our purpose is simple : to make communities stronger, safer, and more sustainable. We believe in the power of relationships, trust, and doing the right thing and we take pride in seeing our work come to life.

At MSA, we understand that great work happens when you contribute great value and maintain a balanced life and career. That's why we offer :

Employee Ownership = True Investment : MSA is a 100% employee-owned firm. That means when you join our team, you're not just doing a job you're building your legacy and sharing in the success of the firm.

A Culture of Mentorship and Collaboration : Work alongside a talented, cross-disciplinary team that values mentorship, professional development, and team success.

A flex time program that empowers you to manage your schedule because life doesn't always fit inside 9 to 5

A flexible work environment , including hybrid and remote options where possible, to support your productivity and well-being

Responsibilities

What you will do :

Leadership & Team Development

Lead, mentor, and support a team of Project Accountants, fostering professional growth and high performance.

Set priorities and manage workload distribution to achieve firmwide billing and revenue goals.

Billing & Revenue Management

Oversee the accurate and timely preparation of client invoices, aligned with contracts and project progress.

Ensure compliance with GAAP standards and company policies for revenue recognition.

Monitor and address billing delays, unbilled time, and potential write-downs to protect profitability.

Project & Financial Oversight

Collaborate with Project Managers and Team Leaders to track project budgets, schedules, and financial performance.

Analyze project reports, dashboards, and KPIs to spot risks and recommend corrective action.

Facilitate regular meetings to strengthen billing practices, collections, and margin realization.

Process Improvement & Reporting

Enhance project accounting processes and tools, standardizing best practices across the organization.

Drive efficiency through automation and ERP / financial systems.

Provide leadership with insight into billing status, revenue trends, and risk areas.

Collaboration & Communication

Act as the primary link between Project Accounting, Project Management, and Finance / Accounting teams.

Promote transparency, accountability, and strong partnerships across departments.

Qualifications

What you bring :

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related field

Minimum of six (6) years of progressive accounting experience, preferably in the A / E or professional services industry.

Proven experience in project accounting, financial management, or related roles.

Strong knowledge of GAAP revenue recognition standards.

Leadership experience with the ability to mentor and grow a team.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Familiarity with ERP / financial systems and process improvement.

• The selected candidate must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship now or in the future. We are unable to provide or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this role.

Why MSA?

The salary for this position ranges from $79,081 to $126,529 per year commensurate with experience. Higher compensation within this range will be paid to candidates with significant experience and exceptional qualifications.

Best-in-Industry Benefits - Eligible employees enjoy :

MSA is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. At MSA, we value a diverse, inclusive workforce and we provide equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to an individual's race, color, sex, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, marital status, domestic partner status,