Senior Cost Engineer – Construction Project Accounting Location: Ballston, VA | Hybrid (4 days onsite, 1 remote) A privately held and nationally recognized real estate and construction group is seeking a Senior Cost Engineer to join its growing project accounting team. This role plays a critical part in maintaining financial integrity across complex construction projects, with strong exposure to project executives, budgeting processes, and internal controls. Why This Role: Stable team, exceptional leadership , and long-term visibility

Generous 401(k) match – 5% after one year, 8% after three years

Free parking, catered team lunch every Tuesday

Modern, high-impact environment with strong financial backing

Role Overview: The Senior Cost Engineer will be responsible for internal auditing, financial review, and analysis of ongoing construction project budgets. This individual will act as a strategic partner to project managers, ensuring accuracy in cost projections, supporting compliance, and driving accountability across project financials. Key Responsibilities: Review and maintain monthly project budgets and job status reports for active construction sites

Conduct internal audits of project cost data and projections to ensure alignment with budgets

Educate and advise project teams on cost tracking and financial reporting best practices

Perform budget-to-actual variance analysis and recommend necessary adjustments

Assist with journal entries and financial reporting adjustments related to job cost accounting

Lead job status meetings with project teams and executives

Provide monthly profit projections and cost dashboards to executive management

Mentor junior cost engineers and contribute to company-wide cost control training

Support proposal and bid development with cost and financial input

Reconcile performance metrics using systems like Procore and Timberline (preferred)

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Construction Management

5–7 years of construction or real estate industry experience with a focus on cost control

Strong skills in Excel , including formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis

Experience with project accounting software – Procore experience is a major plus

Excellent communication and presentation skills for working with both finance and project teams

Strong analytical thinking and a solutions-oriented mindset

High attention to detail and comfort in a fast-paced, collaborative environment