Director: Construction Project Cost Accounting

Director, Project Cost Accounting

Plante Moran Realpoint seeks a director to lead strategic project cost accounting for client capital construction programs. The director will set team standards, develop talent, and drive accountability for results across the function.

Responsibilities

• Set and operationalize program/project controls standards for cost, schedule, change management, forecasting, and reporting cadence.
• Own reporting deliverables, including dashboards, executive summaries, cost reports, cash flow, earned value/performance metrics, reconciliations, and monthly/quarterly client reporting.
• Lead budget, commitment, and forecast management, establishing control structures, tracking commitments/expenditures, developing estimates at completion, articulating variances and corrective actions.
• Support schedule performance reporting by coordinating milestones and recovery actions.
• Manage change control analytics, log and track change requests, assess cost/schedule impacts, support client approvals.
• Ensure data integrity in the PMIS through governance, reconciliation, and routine, accurate, and timely reviews.
• Partner with project managers to identify trends/risks early and recommend mitigation actions based on cost and schedule indicators.
• Coordinate with client finance/procurement and external vendors to validate pay applications, invoices, and contracts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience in accounting, project controls, or managing a substantial capital improvement program.
• 5+ years of experience managing a financial or accounting team.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Excel and reporting/analytics; experience building repeatable templates.
• Experience supporting multi‑project capital programs and using e‑Builder or a comparable PMIS (preferred).

Location & Compensation

In‑office, Southfield, MI. Exempt position with hours that may exceed 40 per week.

Compensation range: $110,000 – $160,000.

Benefits

Competitive health, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, 401(k) plan, flexible time off, and holiday schedule.

EEO & Drug‑Free Workplace

Plante Moran is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug‑free workplace.