Project Accountant

Job Summary

We are seeking a detail-oriented Project Accountant for a temp-to-hire opportunity in Escondido, CA, supporting construction accounting operations for residential, commercial, and office projects. This role is ideal for a proactive accounting professional who enjoys ownership, accuracy, collaboration, and working closely with project managers, contract administrators, accounting leadership, and executive finance leadership.

The Project Accountant will play an important role in keeping construction projects financially organized, ensuring invoices, billings, change orders, releases, subcontractor payments, and project documentation are completed accurately and on time. This is a strong opportunity to join a team-focused environment with supportive leadership, clear expectations, hands-on training in internal processes, and a path to become a fully integrated contributor within the accounting and construction operations team.

Key Responsibilities

- Set up and maintain job binders, job files, site contacts, contract information, and project accounting records for new construction projects.
- Review subcontractor monthly invoices with Project Managers, confirm completion percentages, and compile billing documentation for clients.
- Prepare and submit monthly billing forms, reimbursement invoices, and client payment follow-ups.
- Manage change orders in accounting software and process general condition invoices.
- Verify required contracts, insurance certificates, city licenses, supplier releases, preliminary notices, and lien releases before subcontractor payments are issued.
- Issue accounts payable payments and joint checks to subcontractors and suppliers while supporting accurate monthly project accounting processes.

Compensation and Benefits

- Pay range: $26 to $40 per hour.
- Job type: Temp-to-hire.
- Location: Vista, CA.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disabled / Protected Veterans

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For temporary assignments lasting 13 weeks or longer, AppleOne is pleased to offer major medical, dental, vision, 401k and any statutory sick pay where required.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact your staffing representative who will reach out to our HR team.

AppleOne participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations as required by law. Learn more about the E-Verify program.

We also consider for employment qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements, including, if applicable, the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance. Pursuant to applicable state and municipal Fair Chance Laws and Ordinances, we will consider for employment-qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, including, if applicable, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For Los Angeles, CA applicants: Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Additional Skills

Required Qualifications and Skills

- Manage construction project accounting tasks, including billings, invoices, change orders, subcontractor payments, and releases.
- Support the CFO, Project Managers, Contract Administrators, Accounting Team, Project Engineers, and leadership with accurate project financial documentation.
- Coordinate accounting workflows between project teams, subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, and clients.
- Learn and manage client-specific requirements, web portals, project management systems, and internal accounting procedures.

- 5+ years of construction accounting experience.
- Advanced knowledge of Sage 300.
- Ability to learn Procore and navigate project management systems.
- General knowledge of construction processes, subcontractor billing, change orders, preliminary notices, and lien releases.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook, and standard office technology.
- High school diploma or GED, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills with a professional phone, email, and in-person presence.
- Highly organized, detail-oriented, self-driven, and able to manage multiple priorities with strong follow-through.
- Team-focused mindset with the ability to work independently, meet deadlines, and maintain accuracy under changing priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience supporting multiple construction projects, clients, project managers, and contract requirements at the same time.
- Familiarity with client billing portals and construction documentation workflows.
- Prior experience working in a fast-paced construction accounting department.
- Strong ability to build positive working relationships across finance, operations, and project teams.