Job Description
Job Description
Accounting Assistant – Construction / Project Billing
Location: Tempe, AZ | In-Office
Schedule: Monday - Friday | 8 am - 5 pm
A well-established general contractor is looking for an experienced, detail-oriented Accounting Specialist to support day-to-day accounting operations in their Tempe, AZ office. This hands-on role will have responsibilities across Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable, general ledger accounting, sales/use tax, job costing, and month-end close.
We are looking for someone with a strong accounting foundation who understands how transactions flow through the general ledger—not simply someone who processes invoices. The ideal candidate has experience working in a General Contractor or Subcontractor construction project-based accounting environment, can independently research and resolve discrepancies, and is comfortable managing multiple deadlines in a fast-moving office.
This position reports directly to the Accounting Manager and works closely with Project Managers, vendors, customers/general contractors, and the accounting team.
Key Responsibilities
Accounts Receivable & Collections
- Prepare and submit accurate customer billings, including AIA progress billings, using platforms such as Textura, Oracle, Procore, or GC Pay
- Maintain customer accounts and ensure invoices, payments, retainage, credits, and adjustments are accurately recorded
- Post and apply customer payments to the appropriate accounts and jobs
- Review AR aging regularly and proactively follow up on outstanding balances
- Research and resolve short payments, overpayments, unapplied cash, billing discrepancies, and other account issues
- Work closely with Project Managers to resolve billing issues and support timely collections
- Communicate professionally with general contractors and customer accounting teams regarding invoices, payment status, and outstanding documentation
- Reconcile customer accounts and maintain accurate supporting documentation
General Ledger & Month-End Accounting
- Prepare and post routine journal entries and accounting adjustments
- Perform general ledger account reconciliations and research discrepancies
- Review transactions for accurate GL account, job, cost code, and department classification
- Assist with month-end close, including reconciliations, accruals, prepaid expenses, and supporting schedules
- Assist with bank and credit card reconciliations, as assigned
- Research accounting discrepancies and make or recommend appropriate corrections
- Prepare accounting schedules and reports for review by the Accounting Manager
- Maintain organized documentation and support internal and external accounting requests
Sales & Use Tax
- Assist with the preparation, reconciliation, and filing of sales and use tax returns
- Review transactions for appropriate sales/use tax treatment
- Reconcile sales and use tax liability accounts to supporting records
- Maintain exemption certificates and other tax-related documentation
- Research and resolve sales/use tax discrepancies and assist with tax-related reporting as needed
Accounts Payable
- Process and code vendor and subcontractor invoices to the appropriate GL accounts, jobs, and cost codes
- Review invoices for proper approvals, supporting documentation, and tax treatment
- Track purchase orders and subcontracts
- Reconcile vendor statements and research and resolve discrepancies
- Process payments in accordance with established payment schedules and internal controls
- Maintain accurate vendor records and electronic documentation
Job Costing & Construction Compliance
- Assist with job setup, including coding structures and budget alignment
- Review and track costs by job and cost code to support accurate job-cost reporting
- Assist in researching job-cost discrepancies and correcting coding errors
- Track lien waivers, preliminary notices, amendments, and releases
- Coordinate and maintain Certificates of Insurance and subcontractor compliance documentation
- Maintain complete and organized job files and supporting documentation
- Work with Project Managers to ensure accounting records accurately reflect project activity
Preferred Qualifications
- 4+ years of accounting experience, including hands-on Accounts Receivable, general ledger reconciliations, journal entries, and month-end close responsibilities. Sales/use tax experience strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated experience with AR aging, collections, account reconciliations, and month-end accounting
- Experience preparing or supporting sales and use tax filings and reconciliations
- Experience with journal entries and general ledger account reconciliations
- Construction, subcontractor, general contractor, or other job-cost/project-based accounting experience strongly preferred
- Experience with AIA billing, retainage, lien waivers, preliminary notices, and construction compliance preferred
- Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, or equivalent relevant accounting experience
- Foundation accounting software experience is a plus but not required
- Strong Microsoft Excel skills and proficiency with Word and Outlook
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to identify, research, and resolve accounting discrepancies
- Ability to prioritize multiple deadlines and work effectively in a fast-paced, project-driven environment
- Professional communication skills and confidence working with customers, vendors, Project Managers, and accounting teams
What We Offer
- $65,000 - $72,000+, pay based on experience - paid weekly
- Comprehensive benefits including:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k)
- Paid vacation
- Supportive training and collaborative team environment
- Growth opportunity within a well-established construction subcontractor