About the Opportunity
Groton Utilities is seeking a meticulous and community-minded Project Accountant to manage the financial lifecycle of our critical infrastructure projects. Operating within the City of Groton, this role offers a stable, high-impact career in local government where your financial insights directly support utility operations and public services. Working under the general supervision of the Controller, you will ensure our major projects remain on budget, optimize our work order tracking, and uphold rigorous accounting standards. If you are looking for a competitive public sector role where your financial acumen impacts the local community every day, we invite you to apply.
SUMMARY
The Project Accountant, under the general supervision by Groton Utilities Controller, manages the financial aspects of projects, including budgeting, cost tracking, billing, and financial reporting, ensuring projects stay within budget and comply with accounting standards and internal policies and procedures.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Perform work in accordance with all applicable Federal and State safety regulations, as well as Groton Utilities Safety Manual, and ensure compliance with regulatory and permit requirements.
Always maintain strict confidentiality.
Demonstrate a positive, customer-focused image when interacting with employees and the general public.
Budgeting and Forecasting:
- Assist with the preparation, analysis, and multi-year tracking of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) budget.
- Monitor project expenses to ensure spending aligns with approved budgets.
- Analyze and forecast financial performance throughout the project lifecycle.
Project Financial Lifecycle:
- Process, manage and monitor the internal work order management system; report system issues and recommend improvements.
- Assist with project initiation by helping establish financial structure, developing budgets and setting up work orders.
- Track project progress and review all work order data entries; verify accuracy, troubleshoot issues, and resolve discrepancies.
- Support project closeout by completing final reconciliations, resolving outstanding costs and closing work orders.
- Open and close non-project work order as required, including annual standing work orders, vehicle purchase orders, and other designated work orders.
- Monitor the trouble-call database; coordinate with Project Managers to ensure motor vehicle accidents and storm/outage work orders are created accurately in a timely manner for proper cost tracing and billing purposes.
- Prepare monthly project status report, bond fund report, and other financial reports.
- Track eligible costs and assist in the preparation of financial documentation for state/federal grant funding and FEMA reimbursements related to emergency storm events.
Billing and Collections:
- Generate Accounts Receivable (AR) billings with all required supporting documents for projects, services and other billable activities.
- Prepare billings for motor vehicle accidents, serving as the primary point of contact by obtaining police accident reports and coordinating with insurance agencies.
Prepare monthly AR reconciliations.
- Support AR collections by participating in collection meetings and providing updates on AR aging.
- Assist with the annual review and update of billing rates.
Other Responsibilities:
- Work closely with project management team and finance team to provide financial insights and support decision-making.
- Participate in project meetings and track project status to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
- Provide procurement support by assisting with vendor contracts, cost analysis, and payment processing.
- Provide work order management system training for new hires.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Self-starter with the ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Ability to manage multi assignments and meet deadlines.
- Ability to remain calm and professional in stressful situations.
- Must maintain a valid driver’s license and be able to operate a vehicle safely.
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field.
- 2-5 years of experience in project accounting or related roles; experience with work order management software is highly preferred.
- The City reserves the right to accept any combination of relevant education, experience or certifications when determining an individual’s qualifications for this position.
- Proficiency in accounting software, Microsoft Office Suite, and financial reporting tools. Strong numerical and analytical skills, including ability to manage complex financial data and conduct variance analyses.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain financial information to non-financial team members.
- Experience in municipal finance, public utility accounting, or enterprise fund accounting is highly preferred.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this position, the individual is frequently required to sit, stand, walk, talk and/or hear; use hands to finger; handle or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop. The individual may occasionally be required to lift up to fifteen (15) pounds.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work is performed in an office environment, and the noise level is moderate. Incident response is an integral part of every employee's role. As such, you will be assigned to an emergency response role for any activation of the Incident Response Plan. This may include being called to assist during a City or Utilities emergency and being assigned to perform tasks outside your normal responsibilities, hours of work, or work location.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- On-the-job training
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
Education:
Experience:
- Project Accounting or a related financial role: 2 years (Required)
- Proficiency in accounting software & financial reporting : 2 years (Required)
- Microsoft Office Suite: 2 years (Required)
- Translating complex financial data: 2 years (Required)
- Managing multiple assignments & meet deadlines: 2 years (Required)
Work Location: In person
