Senior Project Accountant
Company : Gilbane
Location : Milwaukee, WI, 53212
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 7 January 2026
Overview
Are you looking for a highly rewarding opportunity that provides extensive career growth opportunity? Gilbane is seeking a Senior Accountant that is a mid-level professional capable of fulfilling the project accounting and project financial forecasting requirements of multiple mid-sized and/or large projects, including day-to-day interface with project management, client and subcontractor personnel. This role will sit primarily in the office but travel to the project job sites may be required for meetings with the project teams and subcontractors.
Who are we?
As a Top-10 ENR Contractor, Gilbane is a family-owned business with 45 offices that has been shaping communities since 1870. Consistently recognized as one of the most reputable construction management firms in the country, Gilbane is committed to delivering projects safely and on-time. You will have the opportunity to build schools, labs, hospitals, corporate offices, sports arenas and more!
We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.
Who Are You?
You are someone who acts inclusively, showing empathy and treating others with respect and dignity in order to uphold Gilbane’s core value of Caring and “People First” workplace culture. You seek to listen in order to understand and can convey information clearly. You’re a strong problem solver who can identify, prioritize, and implement alternatives for solutions, and you demonstrate adaptability by collaborating with others and supporting team members to achieve excellence. A self-starter who shows passion, commitment, and ownership all while delivering on business outcomes and driving results. You’re someone who identifies opportunities for new and improved ways of doing things that result in value-add solutions.
Your core values match Gilbane’s: Integrity, Caring, Teamwork, Toughmindedness, Dedication to Excellence, Discipline, Loyalty, and Entrepreneurship.
What’s in it for you?
The Senior Accountant is considered a mid-level position within our Business Unit Accounting job family. By joining the company at this level, you have opportunity to grow in title, compensation, and responsibility. You will work with a team of experienced professionals that will provide initial training and guidance, and long-term partnership. Additionally, Gilbane offers employees multi-dimensional training opportunities through a number of resources. You will be able to enroll in trainings through our award-winning Gilbane University to build leadership and technical skills.
Responsibilities
- Manages contracts, amendments, insurance, bonds, SOV, Files, and Co Policies
- Conducts timely and accurate reviews of requisitions and lien waivers
- Sets up and properly formats project financial forecasts to meet both the internal team and client reporting needs
- Manages monthly project forecast meetings and maintains accurate ETCs for labor and expenses
- Evaluates change management for reporting inconsistencies
- Ensures timely management of accounts receivable and payables
- Manages the project financial closeout process
- Develops and maintains positive professional relationships both internally and externally
- Coaches and mentors less experienced team members
- Reviews and understands cost proposals
- Understands and manages various contract types and delivery methods
- Assists the Accounting Manager or Business Controller with monthly Work in Process (WIP) process
- Stretches assignments as needed by the business such as overseeing one accountant
- Acts as an Independent Accountant during project forecast meetings to mitigate financial risk
- Supervises interns
- Supports a positive and inclusive work environment
Qualifications
EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field
- 6-10 years of experience
- Or equivalent combination of education and experience
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Excel and Word
- Ability to learn construction management and payment management software
- Knowledge of the overall project execution process including budgeting, project forecasting, cost control, schedule, anticipated cost, and project profitability
- Knowledge of construction industry insurance products and construction pricing components
- Ability to communicate effectively, listens to understand, and can clearly convey information in all forms based on the audience to ensure shared meaning of the message
- Acts inclusively by ensuring that actions and behaviors are respectful, shows empathy and treats others with dignity; leverages capabilities and insights of individuals with diverse perspectives, abilities, and motivation
- Ability to solve problems by identifying, prioritizing, and implementing alternatives for a solution
- Demonstrates agility and adaptability by maintaining effectiveness and adjusting to change, exploring the rationale, trying new approaches, and collaborating with others to make the change successful
- Ability to show passion and commitment while delivering on business outcomes; ability to create a sense of individual ownership and accountability
- Ability to identify opportunities for new and improved ways of doing things that result in value added, unique, and differentiated solutions
Salary to be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience of the applicant, as well as the internal equity and alignment with the team.
Gilbane offers an excellent total compensation package which includes competitive health and welfare benefits and a generous profit-sharing/401k plan. We invest in our employees’ education and have built Gilbane University into a top training organization in the construction industry. Qualified applicants who are offered a position must pass a pre-employment substance abuse test.
Gilbane is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or disability status.
Note to Recruiters, Placement Agencies, and Similar Organizations: Gilbane does not accept unsolicited resumes from agencies. Please do not forward unsolicited agency resumes to our jobs alias, website, or to any Gilbane employee. Gilbane will not pay fees to any third party agency or firm and will not be responsible for any agency fees associated with unsolicited resumes. Unsolicited resumes received will be considered property of Gilbane and will be processed accordingly.
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Frequently asked questions
Milwaukee's construction sector shows steady demand for senior project accountants, with competition moderate due to a blend of established firms and growing projects. Candidates with 6+ years and knowledge of local project accounting standards tend to stand out in this evolving market.
Certifications like CPA or CMA, combined with expertise in construction financial software and knowledge of project forecasting, elevate a Project Accountant's appeal in Milwaukee. Familiarity with local contract types and insurance products also enhances candidacy given the region's active construction management environment.
Beyond foundational accounting, mastering project financial forecasting, contract management, and change order evaluation distinguishes a Senior Project Accountant. Skills in collaborating with cross-functional teams and mentoring juniors also align with leadership expectations in mid to large-scale construction projects.
Project Accountants focus heavily on interfacing with project managers and subcontractors, managing project-specific contracts, and ensuring accurate financial forecasts. This contrasts with general accounting roles that often deal with broader company-wide financials rather than project-centric details.
Yes, Senior Project Accountants often transition into project accounting managers or financial controllers by expanding leadership skills and deepening expertise in contract administration and forecasting. Demonstrating ownership and strategic problem-solving can accelerate advancement within construction finance teams.
Gilbane emphasizes training through its award-winning Gilbane University, providing tailored leadership and technical development. Its family-owned culture and multi-office presence offer stability and diverse project exposure, fostering growth opportunities for Senior Project Accountants.
Gilbane expects Senior Project Accountants to act as independent financial advisors during project meetings, emphasizing risk mitigation and collaborative problem-solving. The company's inclusive culture encourages mentoring and proactive communication, expanding the typical scope of project accounting duties.
Salaries for Senior Project Accountants in Milwaukee typically range from $85,000 to $110,000 annually, depending on experience and specific project complexity. Benefits and profit-sharing plans, like those offered by Gilbane, often enhance overall compensation packages.
Responsibilities can differ widely; in Milwaukee, a Project Accountant often juggles contract management and financial forecasting tailored to local construction projects. Company culture and project scale, such as at Gilbane, further influence role specifics, making job descriptions critical to understanding expectations.