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Project Accountant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

EPI Power is hiring a Project Coordinator with a strong Accounting background to be located in Des Moines, IA! This role is responsible for document management, project accounting, and project ...

Senior Accountant

Cedar Rapids, IA · On-site

$72K - $91K/yr

Support special projects, accounting policy research, and implementation of new reporting or system enhancements. Describe the specific responsibilities and job functions of the role Qualification

Staff Accountant

Independence, IA · On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

If you're looking for an opportunity to gain exposure to month-end close, financial reporting, inventory analysis, process improvement projects, and general ledger accounting, this could be the ...

Senior Accountant

Cedar Rapids, IA

$72K - $91K/yr

You'll own project cost accounting, lead month-end close, support payroll, and handle compliance -- working closely with project managers, the Controller, and ownership. The right person brings ...

This role is responsible for document management, project accounting, and project administration. The Project Coordinator will maintain open communication between all personnel to ensure all project ...

This role is responsible for document management, project accounting, and project administration. The Project Coordinator will maintain open communication between all personnel to ensure all project ...

... special projects and other accounting responsibilities as assigned. • Responsible for adherence to the company's framework of internal controls. Qualifications Experience Bachelor's degree in ...

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Project Accountant information

See Iowa salary details

$39.9K

$67.5K

$94.4K

How much do project accountant jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average yearly pay for project accountant in Iowa is $67,547.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,300.00 and $75,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Project Accountant Do?

A project accountant manages the expenses, billing, and budget for one or more projects. In most cases, the project manager sends bills and invoices to the project accountant for approval and payment, and the accountant maintains records regarding costs and project-related expenses. As a project accountant, your duties and responsibilities include investigating billing issues and overages, as well as forecasting future costs to ensure the company can complete the project within budget. You may also be expected to file tax returns and government reports, so you need excellent writing skills. Finally, you serve as the financial gatekeeper for all aspects of the project, so you need to demonstrate trustworthiness and common sense.

What is the difference between Project Accountant vs Cost Accountant?

AspectProject AccountantCost Accountant
Primary FocusManaging project-specific financials, budgets, and reportingAnalyzing and controlling costs across departments or products
Work EnvironmentConstruction, engineering, or project-based industriesManufacturing, production, or corporate finance
Required CredentialsAccounting degree, CPA preferred, project management knowledgeAccounting or finance degree, CPA or CMA often preferred
Employer UsageConstruction firms, engineering companies, project-based organizationsManufacturers, corporations, cost analysis departments

While both roles involve accounting and financial analysis, a Project Accountant focuses on managing the financial aspects of specific projects, ensuring budgets are met and financial reports are accurate. A Cost Accountant, on the other hand, concentrates on analyzing and controlling costs across the organization to improve efficiency and profitability. Understanding these differences helps professionals choose the right career path or role based on industry and skill set.

How does a Project Accountant typically interact with project managers and other departments during the project lifecycle?

Project Accountants play a key liaison role, working closely with project managers to track budgets, monitor costs, and ensure financial compliance throughout each project phase. They often attend regular project meetings to provide updates on financial status and alert teams to potential budget risks. Collaboration with departments like procurement, operations, and finance is common, as Project Accountants reconcile invoices, process payments, and support accurate financial reporting. This cross-functional teamwork helps facilitate smooth project delivery and ensures all financial aspects align with organizational goals.

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

To thrive as a Project Accountant, you need a solid background in accounting principles, financial reporting, and project cost management, typically supported by a degree in accounting or finance. Familiarity with project management software, ERP systems like SAP or Oracle, and sometimes a CPA certification are commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help ensure accuracy and collaboration with project teams. These skills enable precise tracking of project finances, compliance with regulations, and successful delivery of projects within budget.

What does a Project Accountant do?

A Project Accountant is responsible for managing the financial aspects of specific projects within an organization. They track budgets, costs, billing, and financial reporting for projects, ensuring that all financial processes comply with company policies and standards. Project Accountants work closely with project managers and other team members to monitor progress, provide financial insights, and help ensure that projects are completed within budget and on schedule. Their role is crucial for maintaining financial control and transparency throughout the project lifecycle.
What are the most commonly searched types of Project Accountant jobs in Iowa? The most popular types of Project Accountant jobs in Iowa are:
What are popular job titles related to Project Accountant jobs in Iowa? For Project Accountant jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Iowa are hiring for Project Accountant jobs? Cities in Iowa with the most Project Accountant job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Project Accountant jobs in IA? For Project Accountant jobs in IA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Project Accountant job openings in Iowa as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, and 25% Contract. Highlights an 87% In-person, and 13% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $67,547 per year, or $32.5 per hour.
Regional Project Cost Accountant - Midwest Region

Regional Project Cost Accountant - Midwest Region

Loenbro

Cedar Rapids, IA • On-site

$59K - $78K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Regional Project Cost Accountant - Midwest Region
Company: Loenbro, LLC
Business Unit/Department: Finance & Accounting
Location: Cedar Rapids, IA (onsite)
Reports to: Regional Accounting Manager
Employment Type: Full-time
FLSA Classification: Exempt
About Loenbro
Loenbro is a trusted, long-term construction lifecycle partner to thousands of customers across the U.S. Our market spans all industries and our service offerings include Critical Electrical, Mechanical & Structural, Soft Crafts, Inspection, Underground Maintenance and Installation, and Fabrication. Our expertise lies in simplifying the complex and establishing long-standing relationships with our partners. We have a national presence but a local approach-every customer benefits from our capabilities and our care.
At Loenbro, we don't just offer jobs-we build careers grounded in integrity, teamwork, excellence, and purpose. Join a team where your expertise is valued, your growth is supported, and your work helps maintain and enhance the critical infrastructure that powers communities across the nation.
Job SummaryThe Regional Project Cost Accountant is responsible for supporting accurate project setup, job cost accounting, financial reporting, and compliance coordination across Loenbro's Midwest Region. This role serves as a key partner to Finance, Accounting, Operations, and Project Controls teams, ensuring project information is accurately established and maintained within Loenbro's ERP system to support reliable financial reporting, operational visibility, and project performance.
The position plays a critical role in project startup, budget maintenance, change management, job cost tracking, and project closeout activities. The successful candidate will help ensure project transactions are properly recorded, support month-end close processes, and coordinate with cross-functional teams to maintain compliance with project-specific and regional requirements.
This role is ideal for a construction accounting professional who enjoys working in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and thrives in building structure, improving processes, and supporting the continued growth of the business. This role requires working onsite and close collaboration with cross-functional teams; candidates seeking primarily remote work environments may not be a fit.
Essential Job Responsibilities
Vista Project Setup & Master Data Management
  • Support Viewpoint Vista project startup, including:
    • Contract and job setup in JC and PM
    • Phase and cost type structures aligned with Project Controls standards
  • Set up and maintain approval groups, HQ roles, PM team assignments, project statuses, and other user- and project-level attributes.
  • Maintain project-specific reporting fields to support Vista Analytics, WIP schedules, and regional dashboards.
  • Ensure timely project closeout checklists are completed and all items are archived to company standards.

SharePoint Job Folder Administration
  • Create and maintain the standardized project job folder structure in SharePoint at project startup, aligned to Vista job and contract numbers.
  • Ensure job folders are established timely to support project kickoff, billing, compliance tracking, and audit requirements.
  • Maintain alignment between Vista project setup (JC/PM) and corresponding SharePoint job folders, including naming conventions and required subfolder structures.
  • Partner with Project Controls and Operations to ensure required project documentation is stored consistently throughout the project lifecycle.

Budget & Change Management (Vista JC/ PM)
  • Enter and maintain original JC budgets by phase and cost type.
  • Process approved change orders and JC budget adjustments, ensuring approved scope, revenue, and cost impacts are accurately reflected.
  • Maintain a clear and auditable linkage between contracts, change orders, revised budgets, and forecasts.

Subcontract Administration & Compliance (Vista PM/SL)
  • Set up and maintain subcontracts and subcontract amendments in the SL module.
  • Ensure alignment between subcontract values, commitment cost types, and job cost budgets.
  • Monitor subcontract compliance requirements, including insurance, lien waivers, and required documentation.
  • Support project closeout compliance, ensuring all subcontracts are closed and fully billed and paid.

Transactional Accuracy & Month-End Close
  • Partner with Accounts Payable, Project Controls, and Operations to ensure Vista AP entries are properly coded to job, phase, cost type, and commitment, and routed through appropriate approval workflows.
  • Review Vista EM / credit card transactions to ensure timely posting and accurate job cost coding.
  • Support month-end close by validating project transactions prior to close to enable accurate WIP, cost-to-date, and margin reporting.
  • Research and resolve miscodings, posting errors, and approval bottlenecks impacting close timelines.

Regional Compliance, Payroll & Risk Coordination
  • Maintain working knowledge of regional and project-specific compliance requirements, including sales and use tax, payroll tax implications, prevailing wage determinations, certified payroll requirements, and OCIP/CCIP participation.
  • Ensure project setup in Viewpoint Vista appropriately reflects compliance requirements, including labor classifications, payroll flags, tax settings, and insurance indicators.
  • Proactively coordinate with Payroll on prevailing wage projects, OCIP/CCIP labor requirements, and jurisdiction-specific payroll considerations.
  • Partner with Corporate Tax Compliance to communicate project tax requirements, job locations, and jurisdictional factors necessary for proper tax reporting.
  • Coordinate with EH&S and Project Controls to ensure OCIP/CCIP enrollment, safety documentation, and project requirements align with project and subcontract setup.
  • Facilitate clear, timely communication across Accounting, Payroll, Tax, EH&S, Project Controls, and Operations to reduce compliance risk and support accurate downstream processing.

Cross-functional Collaboration & Internal Controls
  • Partner with Project Controls, AR, and Billing teams to ensure contract setup supports accurate billing, revenue recognition, and retainage tracking.
  • Support internal controls by enforcing standardized Vista project setup, approval routing, and data governance practices.
  • Assist with system enhancements, process improvements, and Vista configuration updates related to project accounting.

Minimum Qualifications
Required:
  • 3-7+ years of construction or project cost accounting experience
  • Strong understanding of:
    • Job cost accounting
    • Budgets, cost tracking, and WIP
  • Experience working in a fast-paced, high-volume project environment
  • Strong attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects/priorities
  • Ability to work cross-functionally with accounting, operations, and project teams
  • Self-starter with ability to identify issues and drive follow-up independently

Preferred:
  • Experience with Viewpoint Vista or similar ERP systems (e.g., CMiC, Sage, JD Edwards)
  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Construction Management, or related field
  • Exposure to:
    • Change orders
    • Project setup / cost structures
    • Construction compliance processes (nice-to-have)

Physical Demands and Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment:
  • Indoor office setting with controlled temperature.
  • Potential visits to outdoor industrial sites with exposure to weather extremes.
  • Potential exposure to noise, dust, chemicals, or other environmental factors.
  • Travel requirements: minimal

This role requires compliance with all applicable safety regulations, personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements, and Loenbro's Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) policies.
Benefits
Loenbro offers a competitive salary, comprehensive benefits package, and rewards to those who join our team:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) retirement plan with company match
  • Paid time off (PTO) and holiday pay
  • Life and disability insurance
  • Professional development and training opportunities
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)

Benefits eligibility may vary based on employment classification and hours worked.
Guided by Core Values (LEAD), grounded in grit and a commitment to excellence, Loenbro betters our families, customers, and local communities. If you're ready to be part of a company that LEADS by:
  • Living with Integrity
  • Exceeding Expectations
  • Acting with Urgency
  • Delivering Excellence

...we want to hear from you.
Loenbro is an Equal Opportunity Employer