Project Accountant Jobs in Illinois
Project Accountant jobs in Illinois are consistently active, with demand concentrated in construction, infrastructure development, real estate, and professional services across the state and ranging from entry-level cost tracking roles through senior project finance positions. Chicago drives the bulk of hiring, but Peoria and Rockford also generate steady openings tied to manufacturing and large-scale public works projects. Firms like Turner Construction, Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, and Caterpillar's project finance groups are among the established Illinois employers that regularly bring on project accountants, with the strongest demand in job cost accounting, contract billing, and budget variance analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 36+ Project Accountant jobs
Globetrotters Engineering is a full-service professional organization based in beautiful downtown Chicago, which was rated the “Best Big City” by Conde Nast Traveler readers for an unprecedented eight years in a row.
We are proud to have served the public and private sectors since 1974, drawing upon highly qualified and experienced staff with diverse expertise to provide cost-effective, sustainable, and responsive services to our clients. Globetrotters is committed to planning, designing, constructing, and managing quality and sustainable infrastructure projects that play an integral role in the development and success of the communities we serve.
Globetrotters is a three-time honoree of the Best & Brightest Company to Work For® award (2024, 2025, 2026) and was also recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Engineering in 2025. These distinguished awards recognize organizations that foster exceptional workplace cultures and demonstrate innovative business practices.
In this role, you will:
- Monitor and analyze project performance against budgets, forecasts, and financial targets.
- Maintain project records within the ERP system throughout the full project lifecycle, from initiation through closeout.
- Communicate project financial status, risks, trends, and variances to management.
- Collaborate with Project Managers to evaluate project burn rates in relation to project progress and completion status.
- Prepare and manage client invoices, including contract administration and billing support.
- Coordinate the timely review, processing, and payment of subconsultant invoices.
- Prepare and maintain general ledger (G/L) entries and supporting documentation.
- Develop and maintain executive-level financial and project performance reporting.
- Monitor and manage project variances and work-in-progress (WIP) reporting.
- Assist with month-end and year-end close activities.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, and applicable accounting standards.
- Provide support for additional accounting and project administration functions as assigned.
We are looking for someone who has:
- Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum of two (2) years of accounting or project accounting experience required.
- Prior experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry preferred.
- Intermediate proficiency with Deltek Vantagepoint strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work in office five days a week.
At Globetrotters, you are offered the diverse opportunities that are found at a larger firm but are within the more collaborative and close-knit environment of a mid-size firm. Your perspective and exceptional skills will be valued here.
Salary range is $80,000 – $90,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
Globetrotters Engineering is a full-service professional organization based in beautiful downtown Chicago, which was rated the “Best Big City” by Conde Nast Traveler readers for an unprecedented eight years in a row.
We are proud to have served the public and private sectors since 1974, drawing upon highly qualified and experienced staff with diverse expertise to provide cost-effective, sustainable, and responsive services to our clients. Globetrotters is committed to planning, designing, constructing, and managing quality and sustainable infrastructure projects that play an integral role in the development and success of the communities we serve.
Globetrotters is a three-time honoree of the Best & Brightest Company to Work For® award (2024, 2025, 2026) and was also recognized as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Engineering in 2025. These distinguished awards recognize organizations that foster exceptional workplace cultures and demonstrate innovative business practices.
In this role, you will:
- Monitor and analyze project performance against budgets, forecasts, and financial targets.
- Maintain project records within the ERP system throughout the full project lifecycle, from initiation through closeout.
- Communicate project financial status, risks, trends, and variances to management.
- Collaborate with Project Managers to evaluate project burn rates in relation to project progress and completion status.
- Prepare and manage client invoices, including contract administration and billing support.
- Coordinate the timely review, processing, and payment of subconsultant invoices.
- Prepare and maintain general ledger (G/L) entries and supporting documentation.
- Develop and maintain executive-level financial and project performance reporting.
- Monitor and manage project variances and work-in-progress (WIP) reporting.
- Assist with month-end and year-end close activities.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, contractual obligations, and applicable accounting standards.
- Provide support for additional accounting and project administration functions as assigned.
We are looking for someone who has:
- Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related discipline preferred.
- Minimum of two (2) years of accounting or project accounting experience required.
- Prior experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry preferred.
- Intermediate proficiency with Deltek Vantagepoint strongly preferred.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced environment.
- Ability to work in office five days a week.
At Globetrotters, you are offered the diverse opportunities that are found at a larger firm but are within the more collaborative and close-knit environment of a mid-size firm. Your perspective and exceptional skills will be valued here.
Salary range is $80,000 – $90,000. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation within the range will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
See All 36 Project Accountant Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Accountant JobsProject Accountant Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Accountant Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project accountant jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a closely related business field
- Proficiency in project accounting software such as Sage 300, Viewpoint, or Oracle
- Working knowledge of construction or project-based billing and job cost reporting
- Two or more years of accounting experience in a project-driven industry
- CPA credential or active progress toward CPA licensure through the Illinois Board of Examiners
- Strong Excel skills with experience building project budget and variance tracking models
Project Accountant Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project accountant in Illinois?
Start with a bachelor's degree in accounting or finance, which is the baseline requirement for nearly every Illinois posting. While project accountant is not a licensed role, Illinois employers strongly favor candidates pursuing or holding a CPA credential overseen by the Illinois Board of Examiners. Gaining experience in construction, infrastructure, or professional services firms in Chicago or major downstate markets, then building proficiency in job cost software, is the practical Illinois path into the role.
Which companies hire project accountants in Illinois?
Employers hiring project accountants in Illinois right now include Fehr Graham, Prairie Engineers, P.C., and Jobot, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep construction, real estate development, and engineering services sectors mean demand is spread across both large general contractors headquartered in Chicago and major infrastructure firms operating on public and private capital projects downstate.
Which Illinois cities have the most project accountant jobs?
Chicago, Barrington, and Downers Grove have the most project accountant openings in Illinois. Chicago's concentration of corporate headquarters, large general contractors, and commercial real estate developers drives most demand, while Peoria and Rockford generate consistent openings through manufacturing capital projects and regional construction activity tied to infrastructure investment in central and northern Illinois.
Are there remote project accountant jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than many accounting roles, since project accountant work is primarily analytical and system-based rather than requiring daily on-site presence. About 54% of project accountant openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting growing flexibility among Chicago-area employers in professional services and real estate. The portions most suited to remote work are budget reporting, variance analysis, and invoice processing, while month-end close and client-facing billing reviews more often require in-office time.
How can I get hired as a project accountant in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a staff accountant or accounts payable role at a Chicago-area construction or real estate firm, where exposure to job cost systems and contract billing translates directly into a project accountant track. Large Illinois employers in engineering and infrastructure, including firms supporting the Chicago Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation capital programs, regularly hire junior accounting staff for project support roles. Pursuing the CPA credential through the Illinois Board of Examiners while in an entry role gives candidates a measurable edge.
Where can I find and apply to project accountant jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to project accountant jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across Chicago, Peoria, Rockford, and the broader state. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 36 Project Accountant Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Accountant Jobs