Project Cost Accountant

Position Summary:

The Entry-Level Project Cost Accountant is responsible for supporting financial management of government-funded projects. This role focuses on tracking project costs, maintaining compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements, and preparing customer financial reports including 533 reporting schedules. The position works closely with program management, finance, and contracts teams to ensure accurate and timely cost reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Track and monitor project costs, including labor, materials, overhead, and subcontractor expenses


• Maintain project cost accounts in alignment with contract requirements and internal accounting policies


• Assist with preparation and submission of customer financial reports, including 533 reports and related templates


• Reconcile project costs to general ledger and resolve discrepancies


• Support development and maintenance of project budgets, forecasts, and Estimates at Completion (EACs)


• Ensure compliance with government regulations (e.g., FAR, CAS where applicable) and contract-specific reporting clauses


• Maintain accounting calendars, reporting and invoicing schedules as required by contract deliverables


• Assist in audits, data requests, and customer inquiries related to project financials


• Collaborate with program managers to provide cost visibility and variance analysis


• Support month-end and year-end close processes for project accounting


• Monitor inventory transactions to projects, participate in cycle counts and physical inventory

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field


• 0–2 years of relevant experience (internship or entry-level acceptable)


• Basic understanding of cost accounting principles and financial reporting


• Strong analytical and organizational skills


• Attention to detail and accuracy


• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; experience with ERP systems is a plus


• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities

Preferred Experience:

• Exposure to government contracting or project-based accounting


• Familiarity with 533 reporting or similar customer reporting formats


• Understanding of manufacturing or engineering project environments


• Knowledge of compliance frameworks such as FAR or NASA reporting requirements

Key Competencies:

• Analytical thinking


• Communication and teamwork


• Time management


• Problem-solving


• Integrity and accountability

About Sunpower:

Since our founding in 1974, Sunpower has been the world leader in free-piston Stirling technology. Sunpower has implemented free-piston technology in our commercial line of CryoTel cryocoolers and our aerospace Stirling cryocoolers and Stirling engines. Sunpower’s Engineering services include production of spaceflight cryocoolers and design, development, and fabrication of prototype free-piston Stirling machines. Sunpower’s has strong ties to the local community including a long history of connections and collaboration with Ohio University.  Our founder and the inventor of our technology is a former OHIO professor, and ~25% of our current staff are OHIO graduates. Including graduates from Hocking College and local high schools, more than half of our staff can be traced to the Southeast Ohio community. Learn more about us at www.sunpowerinc.com.