Accountant - Industrial Projects

Our client, a global mining and minerals development company with integrated mining and process operations located in Sudbury Ontario, is engaged in a major infrastructure, engineering and construction project with expected completion mid-2015. Currently and until time of project completion, our client has an urgent requirement for a Project Accountant to support the owner’s team and client’s EPCM (engineering/construction consultant) on this important project.

The Project Accountant is expected to work with the Project Accounting Lead to develop and implement effective financial control processes; provide financial accounting support to the project (approx. $2.0B CAD). Assist in the provision of accurate and timely expenditure information in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Company policy and standards. Provide assurance that proper data entry and process controls are working as designed. Develop/implement asset capitalization strategy. Develop/implement cash forecasting and monitoring procedure to ensure achieve annual cash plan.

Major Accountabilities:

• Responsible for day-to-day project accounting. Tasks include the preparation of cost accounting reports and variance analysis, cash forecasts/trend indicators, accruals, tax administration, account reconciliations, fixed asset records, ADI journal vouchers, inter-company allocations, and ad hoc government reporting. Tasks also include maintenance of detailed auditable accounting records in accordance with corporate procedures/GAAP, as well as, the development and maintenance of month-end close-out checklist.
• Monitor cash payment performance; prepare cash forecasts and variance analysis.
• Periodic tests of site processes and controls associated with reimbursable EPCM systems. (i.e. materials management (MRRs), direct and subcontract labour, rentals, etc.)
• Work with Project Team/EPCM to interpret and analyze expenditure/performance reports and metrics. To investigate situations to ensure the correct accounting treatment is applied. Assist with special projects and developing ad hoc reports to support the business.
• Review contract service invoices for reasonableness prior to approval and payment. Ensure all invoice issues and associated adjustments are addressed and administered in a timely manner. Provide assurance that invoice verification procedures applied by Owner/EPCM Contractor Administrators are effective for major contracts in detecting errors and non-compliance issues to prevent over payments. ( i.e. periodic test check of major contracts)
• Complete month-end closeout files – including key account reconciliations; support corporate accounting/tax/BDC groups.
• Review EPCMs reimbursable invoice verification procedures to ensure they are effective to identify non-compliance issues and billing errors prior to payment to suppliers; facilitate routing of billing to Project Owners team for review and validation by respective functional groups.
• Assist with the development and implementation of effective internal controls to ensure the integrity of accounting data; audit trails provided for all transactions; key accounts reconciled. Assist in developing and maintaining project procedures consistent with corporate accounting policies.
• Develop and maintain fixed asset register suitable for capitalization at closeout.
• Assist Accounts Payable, Shared Services and/or Procurement clear problem transactions and determine root cause.
• Monitor key performance indicators and statistics. ( i.e. days from pro forma receipt to release)
• Complete other special financial projects as requested

Education & Experience:

• 5 - 7 years experience minimum, preferably in an industrial, construction or project engineering environment
• College or University degree in Accounting or Business Administration
• Accounting designation (CMA, CA or CGA) is mandatory

This position is based in Sudbury, Ontario and is a fixed term contract with duration to approximately mid-Februry, 2015