ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Contract Accountant Jobs in Normal, IL (NOW HIRING)

Farnsworth Group

Sr. Project Accounting Manager

Normal, IL · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Ensure all contract modifications, amendments, and scope changes are reflected in the project accounting system promptly and accurately. * Establish and enforce project setup standards and naming ...

The General

Corporate Staff Accountant I

Morton, IL · On-site

$25.98 - $34.61/hr

Staff accountants report directly to the Bank's Controller and work closely with the Bank's CFO, ... This is not an employment contract, implied or otherwise; therefore, employment relationship ...

Varsity Tutors

CPA Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

Deep knowledge of CPA Examination sections including Financial Accounting and Reporting, Auditing ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Varsity Tutors

CPA FAR Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

What We Look For In a CPA FAR Tutor * Advanced Test Mastery: Deep knowledge of CPA FAR section ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Varsity Tutors

College Accounting Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

Deep knowledge of the accounting equation, double-entry bookkeeping, journal entries, the ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Varsity Tutors

Financial Accounting Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

... CPA examination, and business analysis. * Conceptual Teaching & Problem-Solving: Skilled at ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Varsity Tutors

Managerial Accounting Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

... A or CMA examination sections. * Conceptual Teaching & Problem-Solving: Skilled at breaking down ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Varsity Tutors

Cost Accounting Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

... CPA examination readiness. * Conceptual Teaching & Problem-Solving: Skilled at breaking down ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Rivian

Recruiter, Operations (Contract)

Normal, IL · On-site

$40 - $45/hr

Strategic thought partner to various stakeholders across multiple teams (Finance & Accounting ... contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations ...

Varsity Tutors

Quickbooks Tutor

Normal, IL · Remote

$40/hr

Ability to explain double-entry accounting within QuickBooks, report customization, and year-end ... Varsity Tutors does not contract in: Alaska, California, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, New ...

Aston Carter

Accounts Payable Clerk

Bloomington, IL · On-site

$18 - $20/hr

Experience with accounting software and accounts payable systems. This role involves processing ... This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with great benefits, offering a stable work environment ...

Aston Carter

Accounts Payable Clerk

Bloomington, IL

$18 - $20/hr

Experience with accounting software and accounts payable systems. This role involves processing ... This is a contract-to-hire opportunity with great benefits, offering a stable work environment ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsContract Accountant JobsContract Accountant Jobs in Normal, IL

Contract Accountant information

See Normal, IL salary details

$32.8K

$66.4K

$97.8K

How much do contract accountant jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract accountant in Normal, IL is $66,401.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,800.00 and $73,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges Contract Accountants face when managing multiple clients or projects simultaneously?

Contract Accountants often juggle several clients or projects at once, which can make prioritization and time management challenging. Staying organized is essential, as each client may have different reporting deadlines, accounting systems, and compliance requirements. It’s important to establish clear communication channels with clients and proactively set expectations to ensure all deliverables are met accurately and on time. Building strong relationships and leveraging effective project management tools can help mitigate these challenges and enhance efficiency in this dynamic role.

How much does a contracted accountant make?

Contracted accountants typically earn between $25 and $75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and project scope. Annual earnings can vary widely based on the number of contracts and hours worked, with some earning over $100,000 annually through multiple contracts or specialized skills. Many contracted accountants work independently or through staffing agencies, often requiring proficiency in accounting software and certifications such as CPA or CMA.

What is the difference between Contract Accountant vs Bookkeeper?

AspectContract AccountantBookkeeper
CredentialsTypically requires a CPA or accounting degreeUsually requires a high school diploma or associate degree
Work EnvironmentOften project-based, consulting, or freelance rolesIn-house or small business settings, handling daily transactions
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies needing specialized financial analysis or temporary supportCommon in small businesses managing routine financial records

While both Contract Accountants and Bookkeepers handle financial data, Contract Accountants focus on complex financial analysis, reporting, and compliance, often working on a temporary or project basis. Bookkeepers primarily record daily transactions and maintain accurate financial records. The choice depends on the scope and complexity of your financial needs.

What does a contract accountant do?

A contract accountant is responsible for managing financial records, preparing financial statements, and ensuring compliance with accounting standards on a temporary basis. They often work with accounting software and may need certifications like CPA, completing tasks within specified project timelines. Their role involves analyzing financial data and supporting budgeting and audit processes.

Can you make $100,000 as an accountant?

Contract accountants with significant experience, specialized skills, or working in high-demand industries can earn $100,000 or more annually. Factors such as location, certifications like CPA, and the complexity of the accounting work influence earning potential.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Contract Accountant, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Accountant, you need a strong background in accounting principles, financial analysis, and contract management, typically supported by a degree in accounting or finance and relevant certifications like CPA or CMA. Familiarity with accounting software (such as QuickBooks or SAP), financial reporting tools, and contract management systems is essential. Attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and effective communication set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial for ensuring accurate financial records, compliance with contract terms, and efficient client service.

Can you make $500,000 a year as an accountant?

Contract accountants can potentially earn $500,000 annually if they have extensive experience, specialized skills, and work in high-demand industries or as independent consultants. Such earnings are typically achieved through senior roles, consulting, or managing large accounts, often requiring advanced certifications like CPA or CMA. Most accountants earn significantly less, with salaries varying based on location, experience, and employer size.

What is a Contract Accountant?

A Contract Accountant is a financial professional who provides accounting services to organizations or individuals on a temporary or project basis, rather than as a permanent employee. They are often hired to help with specific projects such as audits, financial reporting, tax preparation, or to fill in during staff shortages. Contract Accountants may work independently or through agencies, offering flexibility for both the accountant and the employer. This role typically requires a solid understanding of accounting principles, relevant certifications, and strong analytical skills.
What are the most commonly searched types of Accountant jobs in Normal, IL? The most popular types of Accountant jobs in Normal, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Accountant jobs in Normal, IL? For Contract Accountant jobs in Normal, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Normal, IL are hiring for Contract Accountant jobs? Cities near Normal, IL with the most Contract Accountant job openings:
Contract Accountant jobs near you
Sr. Project Accounting Manager

Sr. Project Accounting Manager

Farnsworth Group

Normal, IL • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago

Job description

Farnsworth Group is seeking a Sr. Project Accounting Manager in the posting locations below. In this role, you will be responsible for overseeing all project accounting operations across the firm's architecture, engineering, and survey practice groups. This role manages a team of 10-15 Project Accountants who serve as the primary financial resource for Group Leaders and Project Managers throughout the full project lifecycle from contract setup and invoicing through revenue recognition and closeout.
The ideal candidate brings deep experience in AEC project accounting within a mid-to-large firm with annual revenues well in excess of $100 million. Expert-level proficiency in Deltek VantagePoint or Deltek Vision is essential, as is a demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and retain a high-performing team while maintaining the financial rigor and accuracy that complex, multi-contract project environments demand.
Posting Locations: Champaign, Lisle, Normal, Peoria, Springfield, IL; Dallas, TX; St. Louis, MO; Waukee, IA
What You'll Do:
Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, manage, and develop a team of 10-15 Project Accountants supporting multiple practice groups and Group Leaders across the firm.
  • Establish clear performance expectations, conduct regular one-on-ones, and deliver timely, constructive feedback and formal performance reviews.
  • Design and deliver structured onboarding and ongoing training programs to build team proficiency in project accounting fundamentals and Deltek VantagePoint/Vision workflows.
  • Identify individual development opportunities and support career growth paths for team members at all experience levels.
  • Foster a team culture grounded in accuracy, accountability, client service, and continuous improvement.
  • Manage workload distribution across the team, balancing assignments to Group Leaders and project portfolios equitably and strategically.
  • Recruit, interview, and onboard Project Accountants as the team grows or turnover occurs, partnering with HR on hiring practices.

Project Setup & Contract Administration
  • Oversee accurate and timely project setup in Deltek VantagePoint/Vision, including contract values, fee structures, billing terms, phases, tasks, and labor categories.
  • Review and interpret prime contracts, subconsultant agreements, and task orders to ensure billing plans and revenue structures are configured correctly.
  • Ensure all contract modifications, amendments, and scope changes are reflected in the project accounting system promptly and accurately.
  • Establish and enforce project setup standards and naming conventions to support consistent reporting across the firm.
  • Partner with Group Leaders and Project Managers during contract negotiation to advise on financial terms, billing structures, and fee adequacy.

Client Invoicing & Accounts Receivable
  • Direct the full invoicing cycle for the firm's project portfolio, ensuring invoices are prepared, reviewed, and issued accurately and on schedule.
  • Review draft invoices prepared by Project Accountants for completeness, accuracy, contract compliance, and appropriate backup documentation.
  • Manage the invoice approval workflow in coordination with Project Managers and Group Leaders, ensuring timely client delivery.
  • Monitor accounts receivable aging across the portfolio; escalate delinquent accounts and support collection efforts in coordination with project leadership.
  • Ensure proper handling of retainage, subconsultant pass-through costs, and reimbursable expenses per contract terms.
  • Support the preparation and submission of billing on government, federal, and cost-plus contract types, including compliance with FAR billing requirements where applicable.

Revenue Recognition & Project Financial Reporting
  • Oversee monthly revenue recognition for the firm's project portfolio, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards (ASC 606 / percentage-of-completion).
  • Review and approve earned value calculations, percent-complete estimates, and EAC (Estimate at Completion) updates prepared by Project Accountants.
  • Prepare and deliver monthly project financial reports to Group Leaders, including contract status, revenue earned, billed-to-date, backlog, and profitability metrics.
  • Identify projects with financial risk: budget overruns, write-downs, scope creep, or stalled billings, and escalate proactively to leadership.
  • Coordinate with the Sr. Controller and Finance Director on month-end close activities related to project revenue, unbilled receivables, deferred revenue, and WIP adjustments.

Deltek VantagePoint / Vision System Management
  • Serve as a subject matter expert and internal resource for Deltek VantagePoint (or Vision), providing guidance to Project Accountants, Project Managers, and Group Leaders on system use.
  • Oversee the accuracy of the project accounting database, including periodic audits of project setup, labor posting, expense coding, and billing data.
  • Partner with IT and finance leadership on system upgrades, module implementations, and workflow enhancements within VantagePoint/Vision.
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for all VantagePoint/Vision project accounting processes and train team members accordingly.
  • Leverage reporting and business intelligence tools within VantagePoint/Vision (e.g., Reporting, Dashboards, AI) to produce actionable financial data for stakeholders.

Group Leader & Project Manager Partnership
  • Serve as the primary liaison between the Project Accounting team and Group Leaders, Practice Leaders, and Project Managers across all service lines.
  • Facilitate regular project financial review meetings with Group Leaders to discuss backlog, billing pipeline, collections, and project profitability.
  • Educate and coach Project Managers on financial responsibilities, contract awareness, timesheet compliance, and project cost management.
  • Translate financial data into clear, accessible reporting that enables non-financial project leaders to make informed decisions.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to Group Leaders on matters of fee negotiation, scope management, cost recovery, and financial performance improvement.

Subconsultant & Vendor Cost Management
  • Oversee the processing and tracking of subconsultant invoices, ensuring alignment with executed teaming agreements, contract budgets, and project phase allocations.
  • Ensure subconsultant costs are accurately posted, billed to clients, and reconciled to commitments in VantagePoint/Vision.
  • Work with Project Managers to monitor subconsultant budget utilization and flag potential overruns before they impact project profitability.
  • Coordinate with Accounts Payable to ensure timely and accurate payment of subconsultants in accordance with contract pay-when-paid provisions.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Backlog Reporting
  • Support the Finance Director in the annual revenue budgeting process by providing project-level data, pipeline insights, and portfolio-level projections.
  • Maintain and update the firm's project backlog and revenue forecasting models in coordination with Group Leaders and business development leadership.
  • Provide monthly net revenue and billing forecast data to finance leadership to support cash flow planning and financial reporting.
  • Analyze trends in utilization, project profitability, write-up/write-down rates, and collection performance to inform management decisions.

Compliance, Internal Controls & Process Improvement
  • Establish and enforce internal controls over project accounting processes, including invoice review thresholds, approval workflows, and audit trail requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with firm-wide accounting policies, GAAP, and contract-specific billing and reporting requirements.
  • Lead or support internal and external audits as they relate to project accounting, WIP, and revenue recognition.
  • Continuously evaluate and improve project accounting workflows, reducing manual effort, increasing accuracy, and shortening billing cycle times.
  • Develop and maintain the Project Accounting department's policies, procedures manual, and training documentation.

What You'll Need:
Education
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field required.
  • CPA or CMA designation a plus, but not required.

Experience
  • Minimum of 8-10 years of project accounting experience, with at least 3-5 years in a supervisory or management role overseeing a team of project accountants.
  • Experience at a mid-to-large AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and/or Survey) firm with annual revenues well in excess of $100 million strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrated expertise in all phases of AEC project accounting: contract setup, invoicing, revenue recognition, WIP management, and project closeout.
  • Proven track record managing a team of 10 or more direct reports in a fast-paced, multi-project environment.
  • Experience supporting multiple Group Leaders or Practice Leaders simultaneously across diverse project types and contract structures (lump sum, T&M, cost-plus, IDIQ, etc.).
  • Familiarity with government and federal contracting billing requirements, including FAR-compliant invoicing, a plus.

Technical Skills
  • Expert-level proficiency in Deltek VantagePoint or Deltek Vision required; ability to train others and navigate system administration tasks is highly valued.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP, and financial modeling.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft 365 suite including Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and SharePoint/Teams.
  • Experience with business intelligence or reporting tools (Power BI, Deltek Reporting, etc.) a plus.

Who We Are
Join Farnsworth Group, a nationally recognized architectural, engineering, and surveying firm, where your career can thrive! For ten consecutive years, we've been certified as a Great Place to Work®, and our engineers, architects, surveyors, and scientists channel their passion and expertise into making meaningful contributions to the world around us. With almost 650 talented professionals across 24 offices, we collaborate with clients ranging from small communities to some of the world's largest brands. Our success is built on our people - their passion, creativity, and commitment to excellence. Here, you'll find a supportive culture that champions your growth, embraces challenges, values work-life balance, and empowers you to make a lasting impact for our clients and the communities we serve. Join us and move your career forward.
A Great Place to Work Certified
For ten consecutive years, Farnsworth Group has earned the prestigious Great Place to Work® certification-thanks to our employees! Each year, our staff participates in a survey administered by the Great Place to Work organization, measuring perceptions of credibility, respect, pride, fairness, and camaraderie. The results are benchmarked against the nation's leading companies, and only top performers receive the certification. Insights from the survey help us continually enhance our work environment and foster a culture that makes Farnsworth Group an even greater place to work.
Featured benefits and perks include:
  • 401(k) with 100% Company Match up to 5%
  • Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans
  • Flexible Spending and Health Savings Accounts
  • Short & Long-Term Disability
  • Maternity and Paternity Leave
  • Professional Development and Training
  • Mentoring Program
  • Paid Time Off
  • Wellness/Fitness Reimbursements
  • Pet Insurance Plan
  • Hybrid Work Program

Farnsworth Group appreciates that flexibility and work-life balance are important aspects of the careers and lives of our employees. Our Hybrid Work Program offers employees a flexible work arrangement while contributing to the Company's culture and success.
Salary Range: $130,000 - $170,000 (Salary to be determined by the education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant, as well as internal and external equity)
Statement on Diversity and Inclusion
Farnsworth Group is a collection of employees with unique backgrounds and perspectives that all come together to make us a better Company. It is our goal to recruit, hire, develop, retain, and promote a diverse group of people. Join us...and let's make a difference, together.
Farnsworth Group, Inc. is proud to be a M/F Disabled and Veteran EEO/AA employer.
For immediate consideration, please Apply Online by clicking on the "Apply for this Position" tab below.
#LI-Onsite

Apply