Title of Position:         Senior Project Accountant – Ismaili Center Houston

Location Position:       Site Office, Houston, Texas

Reports To:                 Chairman, Imara Houston

OPPORTUNITY PROFILE:

The Project Accountant will actively work with Imara Houston Steering Committee and the Imara Management project team during the development of the Ismaili Center Houston. It is envisaged that this role will be required for the duration of the construction period (2022-24) and may continue even after for the right candidate. Being a senior role, it will require working collaboratively and/or interfacing with Imara Board, Project Managers, Construction Manager, Design and Specialist Consultant Teams, Aga Khan Foundation USA, Grants and Review Board for USA. The person will report to the Chairman of Imara Houston Board. Competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with qualification, experience and seniority of the role will be offered.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Apart from preparation of monthly financial statements and other financial information, the Project Accountant role is to support the Imara Project Management Team with tracking, reviews and reporting of project progress and processes. He/she will be responsible for the whole accounting and finance function including but not limited to, payments of invoices, accounting, internal and external audits, budget monitoring, compliance, project documentation, schedule, contracts, insurances and change orders.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:

• Develop a detailed understanding and tracking of the project budget with respect to the following:
• Professional Fees inclusive of approved additional services as related to contract commitments, project phases and progress
• Work Category and Schedule of Values breakdowns of the construction cost of work; familiarity with the monthly pay application format and details
• Construction allowances and contingency
• Implementation of project costs in QuickBooks
• Monthly reconciliation of payments and bank balances
• Internal financial monitoring and audits with GRB and any other relevant parties
• Familiarity with contract terms and conditions for construction manager and consultants
• FF&E and Artwork budgets, required procurement actions, timeline
• Cost savings tracking and reporting through community engagement
• Develop tracking and project controls for the following:
• Monthly review and approvals of pay applications to check progress payments and work with the Imara Project Managers to ensure all checks are carried out by Design Team and Imara Project Managers
• Ensure all liens are in place and executed for off-site storage materials and equipment and liens are released when appropriate
• Check and verify all pay applications and invoices for inclusion of tax exemption before submission to GRB USA
• Monthly review of Design Team and specialist consultant invoices
• Prepare detailed cash flow statements and updates based on workplan, progress and projections
• Evaluate change-order requests against schedule of values and/or unit rates provided; ensure all paperwork is complete and all approvals are in place in a timely manner
• Develop monthly funding requests and adhere to the relevant review procedures in the prescribed timeline
• Support on-site activity tracking for the following:
  • Track mockup and sample signoff process to clearly record review and approvals
  • Log all construction progress photographs and file for archiving purposes
  • Assess Architect and Engineer Field Reports to ensure proper format and completeness
  • Track commissioning activity Field Reports to ensure the commissioning specification of requirements is being adhered to, levels of sampling are appropriate and final approvals are received and recorded
  • Ensure the Operations & Maintenance Manuals, equipment warranties and as-built drawings are prepared in advance of substantial completion and correctly submitted, reviewed and accepted

QUALIFICATIONS:

•  Experience of minimum 5 years Senior Project Accounting with large building projects with a knowledge of construction processes, audits, contracts, project schedules and expectations from Project Managers, Architects, Engineers, Specialist Consultants and Construction Manager
• Minimum a bachelor’s degree with CPA
• Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment where deadlines are tight, and priorities evolve and should be able to communicate and participate in senior management meetings, both internally and externally.
• Advanced knowledge of QuickBooks as well as current accounting principles, internal controls, audit principles and practices
• Proficient in Microsoft Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Knowledge and implementation of relevant project efficiency tools
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and interpersonal skills to communicate clearly and concisely with credibility and confidence
• Excellent project management and organization skills
• Maintain high ethical standards and confidentiality
• Attention to detail and ability to analyze financial data
• Organize work, set priorities, and adjust to frequently changing priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up on assignments with a minimum of supervision
• Be flexible to periodically work evenings/weekends
• Work independently and/or as a member of a team