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Senior project accountant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

Quoted experts

Dr. Richard Hale,

Gary P Braun

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical senior project accountant skills. We ranked the top skills for senior project accountants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 7.3% of senior project accountant resumes contained reconciliations as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a senior project accountant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 senior project accountant skills for your resume and career

1. Reconciliations

Here's how senior project accountants use reconciliations:

Managed daily operations of the accounting department to include contract billing, accounts receivable, and monthly backlog/accrual reconciliations.
Prepared and reviewed balance sheet accounts, income statement, financial statement and prepared formal reconciliations.

2. Project Management

Here's how senior project accountants use project management:

Perform project setup in accounting system and make necessary corrections under the direction of project management office leader or business manager.
Complete timely and accurate project closeout activities in conjunction with Project Management and in accordance with owner and contractual requirements.

3. GAAP

Here's how senior project accountants use gaap:

Prepared monthly consolidated financial statements according to GAAP and auditing schedules for five corporations related to the solar industry.
Performed monthly consolidation accounting for all renewable energy companies and subsidiaries in IFRS, US GAAP and Canadian GAAP accounting ledgers.

4. Financial Reports

Here's how senior project accountants use financial reports:

Analyzed and evaluated financial reports and determined projects with financial risk/exposure and escalate within the company.
Assisted in the preparation of the monthly internal management financial reports and related commentary.

5. Payroll

Payroll is the sum of all the compensation that an organization has to pay to employees at a specified time. Payroll is managed by the finance or HR department while small business owners may handle it themselves. Payroll isn't fixed as it varies every month due to sick leaves, overtime, etc.

Here's how senior project accountants use payroll:

Developed and implemented the contract automatic process to improve efficiency and accuracy across the payroll department and company.
Prepared annual audit adjustments for payroll additive adjustments and allowance for engineering supplies.

6. Accruals

Here's how senior project accountants use accruals:

Worked closely with project accounting manager in recognizing cost accruals and inter-company job costs.
Prepared schedules for recurring accruals and deferrals and amortized monthly.

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7. Real Estate

Real estate is land that has buildings on it. This kind of property consists of permanent improvements either natural or man-made, which include, houses, fences, bridges, water trees, and minerals. There are 4 types of real estate namely; residential real estate, commercial real estate, industrial real estate, and vacant land.

Here's how senior project accountants use real estate:

Implemented Skyline Property Management accounting system for all new real estate acquisitions.
Managed property accounting activities for company owned real estate using Skyline software.

8. Account Reconciliations

Here's how senior project accountants use account reconciliations:

Reported to the Controller with responsibilities in managing Fixed Assets, payroll preparation and reconciliation and Balance Sheet account reconciliations.
Managed monthly journal activities and balance sheet account reconciliations, preparing financial statements and presenting quarterly consolidated package to parent company.

9. Internal Controls

Here's how senior project accountants use internal controls:

Spearheaded the establishment and implementation of internal controls, which entailed work paper documentation and process analysis.
Assisted in the development of project internal controls policy and procedure manual for a $120M construction project.

10. Revenue Recognition

Revenue recognition is a generally accepted accounting principle (GAAP) that recognizes specific circumstances in which profit is recognized and determines how to account for it. Revenue is recognized when a significant event has happened, and the dollar amount is easily measurable to the company.

Here's how senior project accountants use revenue recognition:

Reconciled all past deferred revenue errors and implemented accounting change regarding proper revenue recognition and internal control process.
Generated timely and accurate revenue recognition monthly, account reconciliation and reporting for several programs.

11. Project Cost

Project cost is the overall cost for planning, developing, executing, managing, and completing a project. Project cost needs to be estimated and projected in the project planning phase. Cost management strategy includes estimating project requirements, scheduling, budget allocation, and project design.

Here's how senior project accountants use project cost:

Created and monitored policy and procedures manuals for PeopleSoft asset management and project costing modules.
Identify and obtain explanations for unusual transactions related to project costs.

12. ERP

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) is computer software used by major corporations and organizations for conducting their management and accounting tasks efficiently. ERP systems bind different business processes with each other allowing smoother flow of data between them resulting in swift project assessment and completion.

Here's how senior project accountants use erp:

Set up projects in ERP, assist Project Managers with closeout; Monitor project for contract compliance.
Maintained labor and overhead rates in Global Shop Solutions ERP for all work centers.

13. Work Breakdown Structure

Here's how senior project accountants use work breakdown structure:

Provide detail analysis of financial statements using the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) of "The JET" project.
Resolved work breakdown structure using analogous and historical estimating.

14. Variance Analysis

Here's how senior project accountants use variance analysis:

Project analysis, contribution margin reports by project, variance analysis, percentage of completion analysis, budget preparation and analysis.
Performed Construction In Progress accounting functions for this publicly traded financial services company, including performing variance analysis.

15. Contract Terms

Contract terms refer to the rules, conditions, and standards that both parties in a contract agreement have to honor.

Here's how senior project accountants use contract terms:

Monitored the percentage of work complete for all projects by reviewing cost to date vs. approved schedules and contract terms.
Prepare AIA requisitions according to contract terms or monthly Billing using both Timberline and Excel for Windows.

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What skills help Senior Project Accountants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on senior project accountant resumes?

Dr. Richard Hale

Associate Professor of Accounting, Berea College

When we meet with practitioners, the most commonly requested skills are:
-The ability to think critically about situations
-Good communications skills in writing
-The ability to speak in public and present ideas
-Working well with others
-The ability to work independently

Notice that these skills are not dependent upon any particular technology or discipline.
An advantage we have at Berea College, a liberal arts college, is that we incorporate these foundational skills into all we do.
Indeed, we also have our students master working with spreadsheets, develop skills in data analytics, and study all aspects of the business from Management, Economics, Finance, and Marketing.
As accounting is the business language, our students have more excellent business knowledge than other studies.

A key distinction for Berea College students is that all students must work for the college while they attend.
These jobs may vary from raising livestock to working in Accounts Payable. But all Berea graduates have years of practical work experience.
A core component of a Berea College education is to value the labor experience. We believe they enter the post-collegiate workforce with a significant advantage over their peers.

What senior project accountant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Gary P Braun

Professor, California State University - Chico

Technology, technology, technology - there are different forms of this, but the intersection of data analysis and technology seems like the place that has the most bang for the buck. Perhaps I am overstating it here, but in my 35-plus years in the accounting world, there has been a continuous march toward the use of computer technology tools. My advice would be to either do a graduate program that has a focus on technology or to pick up certifications in specific tools. Another option would be to find free resources on these topics (MOOCs, for example). Also, for students wanting to be certified, I would say another great use of time is to get the hours needed to sit for the exam and to take the exam ASAP.

What type of skills will young senior project accountants need?

Elizabeth Gordon

Chair and Professor, Temple University

Preparing accounting students for their future means focusing their education on developing their critical thinking, decision making, and judgment, and truly thinking like an accountant requires critical thinking skills to be able to make judgments, to create and to use the information to solve problems and make good decisions. After all, accounting is not about rote memorization or data processing - tasks that do not require a university education. A university accounting education should foster curious and adaptive problem solvers with strong analytical skills and technical knowledge of accounting.

What soft skills should all senior project accountants possess?

Dr. Jennifer Thayer

Assistant Professor of Accounting, Socrates Award for Excellence in Teaching Recipient, Clarksville Chamber of Commerce APSU Distinguished Faculty Award for Community Service Recipient, Accounting Society at Austin Peay Advisor, Austin Peay State University

From speaking with employers in the industry, the number one soft skill seems to be written and spoken communication. Many current students need to hone their written communication skills to avoid "text speak" when communicating with potential employers and/or clients. Other important soft skills include problem-solving, collaboration, adaptability, and willingness to deal with failure and/or criticism. Especially in the world of COVID and ever-changing work environments, the importance of adaptability and problem-solving have only been highlighted. Since most work environments involve people working in teams, effectively collaborating with others and accepting criticism are vital skills.

What hard/technical skills are most important for senior project accountants?

Dr. Henri Akono Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Accounting, University of Maine Orono

-In today's environment, with greater usage of data big and small by companies, accountants are expected to have a better understanding of accounting analytics and a greater ability to analyze and identify patterns in data. Therefore, accounting analytics is a very important skill for accountants today.

-Just knowing excel is not enough. Being able to use software like excel QuickBooks for accounting/controllership/audit/tax-related decisions is a plus.
-In addition, being able to use visualization software like Tableau or Power BI is also a plus.
-Some type of analytics certification (Excel, general analytics, etc.) is a plus.

-However, this does not substitute for accounting-related knowledge and understanding.

Do you want to know more?

List of senior project accountant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a senior project accountant resume and required skills for a senior project accountant to have include:

Reconciliations
Project Management
GAAP
Financial Reports
Payroll
Accruals
Real Estate
Account Reconciliations
Internal Controls
Revenue Recognition
Project Cost
ERP
Work Breakdown Structure
Variance Analysis
Contract Terms
Cash Flow
Purchase Orders

Construction Projects
Margin Analysis
General Ledger Accounts
External Auditors
Deltek
Financial Data
Financial Analysis
Sage
Fixed Assets
SOX
Project Budget
Balance Sheet Accounts
Deltek Costpoint
Cost Analysis
Subcontractor Invoices
Close Process
WIP

Bonds
AIA
Cash Management
Vendor Invoices
Financial Management
Bank Reconciliations
Management Reports
Bank Accounts
Bank Statements
Timberline
A/P
Taxation
Account Analysis
Capital Projects
Expense Reports

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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