Hiring: Lead Accountant - Real Estate Development Company: Western Governors University Location: Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area Job Posted Time: 2026-09-03 10:43:01 Employment Type: Full-time / On-site Target Skills & Keywords : Microsoft Excel, REST, Workday About the job Required Skills: •Design and operate project accounting procedures and controls, including project and cost-code setup, contract and commitment records, change-order controls, and documentation standards; lead related process, system, and reporting improvements. •Review contractor pay applications against contracts and approved schedules of values; validate work completed, retainage, prior payments, approved changes, cost coding, calculations, and supporting documentation. •Confirm required lien waivers or releases, certifications, and other payment conditions are complete; investigate exceptions and recommend draw or payment packages for approval under WGU's delegated-authority framework. •Record and reconcile project costs, commitments, accruals, accounts payable, and funding activity; coordinate accurate and timely month-end and year-end close. •Maintain construction-in-progress records and support capitalization, placed-in-service determinations, asset transfers, and related accounting in accordance with U.S. GAAP and WGU policy. •Reconcile accounting actuals and commitments to project-controls records and finance forecasts; identify and communicate variances, emerging exposures, and data-quality issues. •Support debt or bond draws, incentive and grant documentation, covenant reporting, audits, and other compliance requirements with complete, audit-ready records; provide functional guidance and coordinate external accounting or draw-review resources. Qualifications: •CPA or MAcc, or equivalent relevant experience under WGU policy. •Eight or more years of progressive accounting, construction accounting, or project accounting experience, including at least three years supporting construction draws, pay applications, or complex capital projects. •In-depth knowledge of U.S. GAAP, construction-in-progress and fixed-asset accounting, month-end close, reconciliations, and internal controls. •Solid functional working knowledge of construction contracts, schedules of values, change orders, retainage, lien waivers, and payment documentation. •Advanced Excel skills and experience with ERP, project accounting, or construction-management systems; strong judgment, attention to detail, and stakeholder communication. •Knowledge of AIA G702/G703 payment documents and construction lender or bond-draw requirements. •This role works on-site at WGU's Salt Lake City, Utah headquarters. Relocation assistance is available to candidates who live more than 50 miles from Salt Lake City. •This position may require occasional travel of up to 20%, including required attendance at designated company summits (typically one to two per year). Additional travel may include conferences, visits to company locations, and other business-related events as needed. Additional travel may be assigned as needed to support business requirements Compensation: •$100,000 - $150,000 / year Interested candidates, please apply directly through the job posting on company's career page or try via AI auto apply on this platform. Don't miss this opportunity to join a forward-thinking team!