Lead Studio Project Accountant

Here at DIALOG, we are passionate about design and believe it can and should meaningfully improve the wellbeing of our communities and the environment we all share.

We are a multi-disciplinary collaborative of architects, interior designers, urban designers and planners, structural, mechanical and electrical engineers, and landscape architects who design for community wellbeing and urban vibrancy. We are a fun-loving bunch of big thinkers and do-gooders, who are collaborative in our approach, diverse in our perspectives, aspirational in our pursuits, and optimistic about what’s next. We’re always looking for passionate people who share our values and care as much about our communities as we do. We're proud to be a Certified B Corporation and 2024 Best of Practice Award Winner, committed to using our design practice as a force for good in the world.

Explore our studios and join us!

At DIALOG, Project Accounting is integral part of the Financial Operations team, collaborating with our design project teams to ensure that fees are aligned with the work and that project teams are aware of financial performance, contract issues and risk concerns. The role relies heavily on quality control to ensure appropriate application of revenue recognition policies in accordance with ASPE. 

Reporting to the Manager, Project Accounting, we’re excited to welcome our next Project Accounting leader to join our team of Lead Studio Project Accountants. Each Lead Studio Project Accountant is responsible for the financial operations of the projects assigned to them and for the effective leadership of other Project Accountants. You are both a leader/coach to other Project Accountants, as well as a working Sr. Project Accountant with a large volume of complex multi-disciplinary projects of your own. You will be responsible for the performance development and mentorship of Project Accountants, but must also flex your technical muscles as a Sr. Project Accountant for full-cycle project accounting. 

As a valued member of the project teams, you will help solve problems as the conduit between your assigned studio and the rest of Financial Operations team, communicating daily with various DIALOGers, including team members, peers, Managers, Directors and Partners. Your analytical abilities and excel spreadsheet expertise will turn incomprehensible numbers into meaningful data, allowing DIALOG’s leaders to make strategic business decisions, propelling our business forward, and ensuring the financial wellbeing of the projects. 

How you'll make a difference:

• Studio Project Accounting Support: 
• Liaise with the Studio Operations Manager (SOM) and Partners to address any project financial operations related questions by providing the answers, where applicable, or directing to the appropriate Financial Operations group or team member 
• Produce ad hoc project accounting reporting as requested by the SOMs in addition to reviewing project profitability and projections, which includes the compilation, analysis and interpretation for projects in their studio 
• Work with the Marketing and Communications (MarCom) team to set up proposals in BST, track potential work and provide project information for proposals, as requested 
• Work directly with Engineers, Architects, Interior Designers, and Planners to record, track and control progress billings, project costs, and budgets on projects with a range of complexity 
• Ensure accurate and timely entry and reporting of data in our financial system 
• Proper setup and maintenance of projects (with Project Managers) in accordance with the Client contract (this includes labour, disbursement, and consultant budgets) 
• Initial and ongoing project resourcing plan maintenance (with Project Managers and Task Managers) 
• Financial aspects of consultant relationships from input to payment release 
• Communicate with retired Partners and contractors to complete timesheets 
• Billing and earned value analysis monthly cycle to ensure accuracy of coded costs and revenue recognition (partnered with Project Managers) 
• Preparation of monthly invoices in accordance with specific project billing requirements 
• Project Work-In-Progress analysis (WIP) on a monthly basis 
• Update and compilation of monthly revenue projections based on project schedules and project plans 
• Review of Project Financials in the studio with commentary to be provided to the Controller team during monthly revenue review meetings 
• Follow up and documenting of collections with clients accounts receivable balance 
• Attendance at internal and external project meetings as applicable 
• Accurate and prompt preparation of project performance reports 
• Attendance and participation in Project Accounting meetings and development workshops 
• Ad hoc support within the Finance team, specifically around audits and special projects. 
• Team leadership:
• Foster a collaborative and productive work environment 
• Assist with onboarding new Project Accountants to the team 
• Champion and guide Project Accountants on DIALOG's accounting processes and practices, as well as navigating the complexities of project work
• Provide peer review and specialized training on large project setup and workflow per business needs which may change and evolve 
• Communicate with the Manager, Project Accounting to plan and manage workloads of the Project Accounting team in the Toronto studio 
• Champion the continuous improvement and standardization of practices and reporting through weekly meetings with the other Studio Leads along with the Manager, Project Accounting 
• Champion the success and career development of Project Accountants through support with training, development goals, recognition, and regular feedback
• Provide input to the Manager, Project Accounting for performance reviews, participate in coach check in meetings as a primary coach for the Project Accountants you support 
• Manage approval of timesheets and time off 
• Ensure adherence to the standards cited in the internal Approvals Matrix

Education and credentials:

• 10+ years’ project accounting experience in a medium to large sized firm, preferably a Partnership structure 
• Previous experience with progress-billing accounting in a multi-disciplinary Architectural, Engineering, Construction firm desired 
• BST accounting system experience preferred, aptitude to learn new systems required 
• Advanced skills in Excel, Power BI, Tableau or Visualization an asset
• Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Accounting, Commerce, or related field and experience an asset 

Professional characteristics:

• Previous experience with coaching and mentoring other team members 
• Professional and clear communication with many levels of DIALOGers including project team members, peers, Directors and Partners 
• Polished communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to seamlessly partner with non-finance minded personnel, internal & external stakeholders to build effective relationships as a trusted advisor 
• Demonstrated ability to provide effective and respectful constructive feedback to the Project Accounting team and the Manager, Project Accounting to support shared success
• Driven, self-starter who leads by example and demonstrates a proactive approach to problem solving 
• Inquisitive and not afraid to ask questions and investigate alternatives before recommending solutions 
• Detail oriented and ability to dig deep and perform analytics to draw insights from data 
• Able to adapt quickly to changing work demands without compromising accuracy and quality of work, or becoming frustrated
• Able to navigate and respond to difficult situations calmly and respectfully, with a can-do attitude 
• Able to assess situations and refer to process and practice but also able to recognize when it’s necessary to escalate or pivot 
• Enjoy working in an open-concept, high collaboration team environment 

At DIALOG, you'll have the opportunity to make a real difference in the world. We encourage you to apply!

Perks & Benefits

Parental leave top-up programs for all parents upon the birth or adoption of a child, RRSP matching, competitive medical and dental benefits coverage upon the first day of employment, discounted memberships, encouraged work/life balance with gifted time off during the holiday season and Vacation Buy-Up program, and reimbursement for professional memberships and dues are just a few of the benefits that DIALOGers enjoy.

Professional Development

DIALOG offers continued professional growth through leadership development opportunities specifically designed for our collaborative culture. Among others, some of our programs include: CoachDIALOG which equips our coaches with essential communication and feedback strategies for building great teams; Integrateducation™ supports DIALOGers in accredited continuing education opportunities; technical skills development via e-learning pathways; and financial support for relevant external learning opportunities. 

Equal Opportunity

DIALOG celebrates diversity and is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to an inclusive environment for all, free of discrimination and harassment. Employment-related decisions are made without regard to sex, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, age and race. In accordance with DIALOG’s Accommodation Policy, accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request for candidates throughout the selection process.