Jobs › Barry-Wehmiller

Project Accountant

Barry-Wehmiller · Romeoville, IL · $60,000–$70,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a month-end close where something didn't reconcile. How did you find it?

What they are checking: Whether they dig into discrepancies patiently and accurately under deadline pressure.

Tell me about a time you helped a project manager understand their numbers better.

What they are checking: Whether they act as a partner to project teams, which a firm with many offices and projects depends on.

What would you do

A project manager's forecast doesn't match what the cost data shows. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can challenge a project manager respectfully with facts instead of just recording what they are told.

How do you prioritize when several project managers need reports from you on the same day?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage competing requests calmly and communicate realistic timelines.

You notice an expense charged to the wrong project. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they fix errors through proper process and follow up on why the mistake happened.

About the work

Walk me through how you track revenue and cost on a long engineering and construction project.

What they are checking: Whether they understand project accounting basics like percent complete, cost to date and revenue recognition.

How do you explain the difference between billings in excess of costs and costs in excess of billings to a project manager?

What they are checking: Whether they know over and under billing well enough to teach it to non-accountants who own projects.

How do you handle change orders that have been approved by the client but not yet billed?

What they are checking: Whether they keep revenue and billing accurate when project scope keeps moving.

How do you set up a new project in the accounting system so reporting is clean from day one?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that good project setup prevents months of cleanup and misreporting later.

What Excel skills do you use most in project accounting work?

What they are checking: Whether they can build and audit their own analysis instead of relying only on system reports.

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The full job description

As published by Barry-Wehmiller.

About Us: BW Design Group is a fully integrated architecture, engineering, construction, system integration, and consulting firm committed to helping our clients realize their most critical goals from Strategy to Commercialization. As the only firm born from a manufacturing technology company to become an independent and fully integrated firm, we combine deep domain expertise in the manufacturing environment with an approach that is built to serve the dynamic needs of our clients. Rooted in our distinct culture of Truly Human Leadership, we cultivate the leaders who will define tomorrow and partner with our clients in the food & beverage, life sciences, industrial, and advanced technology industries to build the future of manufacturing and technology. Barry-Wehmiller is a diversified global supplier of engineering consulting and manufacturing technology for the packaging, corrugating, sheeting and paper-converting industries. By blending people-centric leadership with disciplined operational strategies and purpose-driven growth, Barry-Wehmiller has become a $3 billion organization with nearly 12,000 team members united by a common belief: to use the power of business to build a better world. Job Description: Who You’ll Work With You will join one of our 45 offices in the US, be part of a committed team of over 1500 professionals, and work in teams and directly with our clients doing work that is shaping the world around us. You will be welcomed into a rapidly growing business and team and empowered to make an impact. You will be valued, cared for, and challenged on your path to becoming a world-class professional and surrounded by leaders who are committed to creating an environment that enables you to realize your own success and fulfillment. When you join Design Group as a Project Accountant, you are joining a team that will challenge you and position you for growth. In this role, you will work with a team of industry experts to help the world’s leading companies solve their most difficult problems. You will partner with seasoned leaders, technical specialists, and subject matter experts to deliver the highest quality solutions to our clients with consistency and accuracy. What You’ll Do You'll work individually and in teams to support capital projects and implement solutions for our clients. Together, you will help our clients make critical changes to improve their performance and realize their most important goals. • Serve as the financial gatekeeper for project revenues, costs, and margins that flow through to the business’ audited financial statements • Provide project finance support, oversight, and analysis to local offices and the region • Ensure appropriate project set-up in compliance with finance department guidelines and GAAP • Review and analyze project forecasts and ensure that revenues and margins are accurately forecasted based on finance department guidelines and GAAP; enter the finalized forecast into the EMS software system • Review and approve monthly project revenue/cost recognition following GAAP • Review and analyze project forecast variances, and present analyses to management • Prepare, review, and issue client invoices; work with clients, project teams, and the A/R department to ensure timely collection on invoices • Analyze project risks and identify opportunities for profitability; make recommendations to the project accounting manager on the appropriate amount of risk or reserve to apply to the project • Issue purchase orders and verify their financial terms and conditions • Track project labor and expenses; advise the project team on any budget variations and make appropriate recommendations • Track and audit travel and expense expenditures to ensure compliance with company policies • Ensure compliance with client agreements, billing policies, and internal financial policies; address any adverse findings • Communicate with the project teams and accounting manager regarding all significant client/project financial matters; participate in monthly project review meetings with the regional accounting manager • Provide support to financial department leadership during month-end close and in the tracking and analysis of business trends, KPIs, and other financial indicators • Provide financial support for new and active proposals; update the proposal software system • Support training of new project accountants and project managers; ensure training complies with established financial processes and policies • Work to improve financial processes and communication across the firm • Participate in the annual external audit • Make an impact day-to-day with your skills and expertise, strengthening that relationship with our clients and team What You’ll Bring • Relevant financial or accounting experience (preferred) • Advanced Excel skills • A working knowledge of equipment and service procurement (preferred) • An understanding of financial practices, principles, processes, and systems (preferably in a corporate environment) • Solid interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills • The ability to meet monthly closing and project deadlines • A bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business administration Travel • Limited travel may be required based on project support within the assigned region. Our culture and commitment to our people is what sets us apart. We foster an environment of mutual respect, integrity, and unconditional interest in the individual and collective success of our professionals. Our model and entrepreneurial mindset offer a rewarding, challenging, and highly flexible path. As a Project Accountant, you will build a meaningful and fulfilling career with the support of professional development resources and mentorships including our First Year Experience program, Individual Development Plans, and Career Path resources and tools. You will be surrounded by exceptional talent who will support your development as both a world-class professional and a highly effective leader. Feel like you're on the path to becoming a Project Accountant but you're not quite there yet? We'd love to connect with you to see if we can take you from where you are today and grow you into a world-class Design Group Team Member. The approximate pay range for this position is $60,000 - $70,000 per year. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Final compensation may vary based on factors including but not limited to background, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as geographic location of the position. #LI-KM1 At Barry-Wehmiller we recognize that people come with a wealth of experience and talent beyond just the technical requirements of a job. If your experience is close to what you see listed here, please still consider applying. We know that our differences often can bring about innovation, excellence and meaningful work—therefore, people from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply to our positions. Please let us know if you require reasonable accommodations during the interview process. ​ Barry-Wehmiller is an equal opportunity employer. M/F/D/V This organization uses E-Verify. Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include drug screening, reference checks, employment verifications, background screening and/or skills assessments. Company: Design Group

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