Project Accountant

Description

Verista’s 500 experts team up with the world’s most recognizable brands in the life science industry to solve their business needs. The nature of our business is to empower growth and innovation within the scientific community and to help researchers, organizations, and companies solve some of the world’s most pressing healthcare challenges. Verista provides innovative solutions and services that empower informed decision-making and are the result of our significant investment in our people and our capabilities.

Our ability to grow is driven by world-class people who thrive in a team environment and share our mission to enable life sciences clients to improve lives. Our talented and dedicated professionals are committed to making an impact every day.

Company Culture Guidelines & Values:

• We empower and support our colleagues
• We commit to client success at every turn
• We have the courage to do the right thing
• We encourage an inclusive environment where our colleagues feel respected, engaged, and challenged.
• We constantly acquire new skills and learn from our experiences to enhance our collective expertise

Overview:

Responsible for end-to-end project accounting activities, including billing, collections, cash application, expense/vendor processing, and financial reporting for assigned accounts. Ensures compliance with A/P and A/R controls while collaborating cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders.

Project Accountant Responsibilities:

• Establish projects in FinancialForce by validating Salesforce data and ensuring all supporting documentation (SOWs, POs, and related contract materials) is complete and aligned to billing requirements
• Complete time and materials, Milestone, and Fixed Fee billing for assigned accounts, ensuring accurate invoices of billable hours and expenses in accordance with contract terms
• Drive collections by tracking invoices in customer portals, reconciling hours and expenses to Salesforce, resolving discrepancies, and partnering with customer A/P to expedite payment and obtain Expected Payment Dates (EPDs)
• Track, report and follow up on unbilled project funding by monitoring outstanding items, reporting reversals upon invoicing, and reviewing budgets to maintain accurate project funding
• Monitor and follow through on Undeposited Funds by resolving customer credits and overpayments
• Validate monthly reporting data ($0 bill rates, and new budgets), ensuring verification, and follow up on discrepancies
• Process customer write-offs as needed
• Perform month end revenue reconciliation to ensure accurate customer invoicing
• Support Audit and Pre-audit requests annually
• Manage cash applications by posting receipts, applying payments to invoices, and processing customer discounts and adjustments as appropriate
• Review and process expense reports and vendor invoices allocated to assigned projects
• Prepare revenue and project profitability reports for assigned customer
• Ensure compliance with internal accounting controls and established A/P and A/R policies
• Maintain general ledger integrity through accurate and timely recording of monthly transactions
• Partner with operations to enhance Salesforce functionality and implement automation to improve process efficiency
• Learn and follow documented Accounting Team Processes and support the Team Leads and Accounting Manager in maintaining training material to ensure up to date information
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Relevant Experience:

• B. S. Degree in Business (Accounting or Finance preferred)
• Minimum two to five years as a corporate staff accountant
• Experience using ERP Systems and report functionality
• Advanced proficiency utilizing Excel to develop and maintain complex models

Required Skills:
Successful candidates for this position will meet the following criteria:

• General understanding of accounting principles and financial reporting.
• Know the relationship between project financials and the General Ledger including Revenue, Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, Unbilled Receivables, Cash accounts, etc.
• Understand project accounting concepts, specifically: project funding, contract billing, revenue recognition, and project lifecycle management
• Strong reconciliation and analytical skills with the ability to research and resolve financial variances
• Exceptional proficiency with MS Office products, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, MS PowerPoint
  • Word (work with large documents containing tables, TOC, styles, track changes)
  • Excel (create, modify charts, filter data, use of functions within multiple worksheets)

• Detailed-oriented
• Critical thinking skills
• Proven organizational skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously with accuracy and within timeline assigned
• Possess excellent oral, written communication skills with the ability to collaborate with fellow colleagues and customers
• Experience working in a fast paced, results driven organization
• Ability to meet tight deadlines
• Ability to adhere to Verista Values

This position description merely illustrates this position. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change with or without notice.

Benefits

Why Choose Verista?

• High growth potential and fast-paced organization with a people-focused culture
• Competitive pay plus performance-based incentive programs
• Company-paid Life, Short-Term, and Long-Term Disability Insurance.
• Medical, Dental & Vision insurances
• FSA, DCARE, Commuter Benefits
• Supplemental Life, Hospital, Critical Illness and Legal Insurance
• Health Savings Account
• 401(k) Retirement Plan (Employer Matching benefit)
• Paid Time Off (Rollover Option) and Holidays
• As Needed Sick Time
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Team Social Activities (We have fun!)
• Employee Recognition
• Employee Referral Program
• Paid Parental Leave and Bereavement

Verista collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws.  If you are a California Job Applicant, see the privacy notice for further details. 

For more information about our company, please visit us at Verista.com