Project Accountant

Description

The Project Accountant is responsible for overseeing financial accounting across a portfolio of renewable energy development assets spanning the full project lifecycle — from early-stage development through construction and into operations — alongside broader corporate accounting responsibilities. This role serves as a trusted financial partner to both operations and finance leadership, ensuring financial integrity across all project stages while contributing to the overall health of the organization's corporate accounting function. This role also embraces the use of emerging technologies, including AI-driven tools, to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of accounting processes. This position will be based out of our Charleston, SC office.

Requirements

 Key Responsibilities:

• Oversee and manage accounting across a portfolio of renewable energy assets at varying stages of development, including early-stage development, construction, and operating projects
• Track and account for development costs, capitalization thresholds, and asset transfers across project lifecycle stage transitions in accordance with GAAP
• Prepare and maintain work-in-progress (WIP) schedules
• Manage fixed asset accounting for operating projects, including placed-in-service determinations, depreciation schedules, and asset impairment assessments
• Process and/or review AP invoices in accordance with established accounting policies and internal controls, ensuring accuracy, proper authorization, and compliance at each stage of the invoice lifecycle
• Lead the month-end and quarter-end close processes, serving as the primary owner of close activities across assigned projects and corporate accounts, and ensuring all deadlines are met with accuracy and completeness
• Prepare and/or review monthly journal entries with proper supporting documentation, ensuring all entries are accurate, well-supported, and in compliance with GAAP and internal accounting policies
• Reconcile and review balance sheet and income statement accounts, ensuring all balances are accurately stated and reconciling items are identified, investigated, and resolved in a timely manner
• Prepare account roll forwards and provide clear, well-supported explanations of period-over-period variances for review by management and senior leadership
• Prepare and deliver month-end and quarter-end project and/or corporate financial reporting packages for senior leadership, including variance analysis and WIP schedules
• Prepare consolidated financial statements across multiple legal entities, including identification and elimination of intercompany transactions and balances in accordance with ASC 810
• Continuously evaluate and improve close processes to increase efficiency, reduce cycle time, and strengthen internal controls
• Perform weekly bank reconciliations across all assigned accounts, ensuring timely identification and clearance of all reconciling items
• Manage the monthly draw process across assigned projects in accordance with the terms of applicable financing agreements, including preparation and submission of draw requests, coordination of supporting documentation, and communication with lenders and internal project teams to ensure timely and compliant funding
• Prepare and review audit schedules in support of external audit activities, ensuring all schedules are accurate, complete, and well-documented
• Serve as a key point of contact for auditor requests, providing timely responses and supporting documentation throughout the audit process
• Support consolidation accounting considerations related to variable interest entities (VIEs) and partnership structures common in tax equity and renewable energy project finance
• Lead and contribute to special projects as assigned, including system implementations, process improvement initiatives, and ad hoc financial analyses

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or CPA candidacy preferred

Required Experience

• 3-5 years of progressive accounting experience, with demonstrated exposure to both project and general accounting functions and financial reporting
• Public accounting or renewable energy industry experience is a plus 
• Experience in a multi-entity or consolidated environment preferred 
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage month-end and quarter-end close processes in a fast-paced, project-driven environment

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and technical accounting concepts 
• Experience with financial reporting, consolidations, and intercompany accounting 
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills with strong attention to detail 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment 
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written 
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel (intermediate to advanced required) 
• Experience with accounting systems and process improvement initiatives 

Physical Requirements

• The Project Accountant may be required to:
• Remain in a stationary position for extended periods (sitting or standing) 
• Move about to accomplish tasks or travel between work locations 
• Occasionally lift or move objects up to 20 pounds 
• Perform repetitive motions involving wrists, hands, and fingers 
• Assess the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of assigned work