About the job

Project Accountant

Downer Energy & Utilities | Industrial Power Generation

Downer's Industrial & Energy business is seeking a commercially minded and driven Project Accountant to join our high-performing Industrial Power Generation East team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to partner closely with operational and project leaders in a complex, project-based environment, supporting the delivery of critical infrastructure and operational services.

The role will focus on financial performance, project reporting, forecasting, commercial support, and business partnering across a portfolio of projects and operational contracts. You will play a key role in ensuring strong financial governance, driving performance insights, and supporting operational teams to deliver successful commercial outcomes.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Finance Business Partner, the Project Accountant will work closely with Project Managers and Operational Leaders to provide clear financial insights, support strategic decision-making, and ensure accurate and timely financial reporting across the business unit.

This role offers broad exposure across project accounting, commercial analysis, forecasting, working capital management, and operational performance support within a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Partner with Project Managers and Operational Leaders to support project performance and financial outcomes
• Deliver accurate and timely month-end reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and project valuation activities
• Support cost control, revenue management, WIP and billing processes, and EAC integrity across projects
• Provide analysis and insights into profitability, cash flow, operational performance, and commercial outcomes
• Prepare and deliver financial reporting, variance analysis, and business commentary for stakeholders
• Support tender reviews, contract setup activities, and financial modelling for operational initiatives
• Monitor debtor and WIP balances to optimise working capital and cash flow performance
• Ensure compliance with Downer financial controls, governance frameworks, and delegation authorities
• Assist with audit processes and maintain adherence to group finance policies and standards
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, process optimisation, and reporting enhancements
• Collaborate across finance, commercial, and operational teams to support strategic objectives

About You

You are a commercially astute finance professional with strong project accounting capability and experience working within large, complex operational or contracting environments.

You will also bring:

• 5+ years' experience in project accounting, commercial finance, or operational finance roles
• Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting, or Commerce
• CA or CPA qualification (or working towards completion) preferred
• Strong understanding of cost-plus and schedule of rates contract environments
• Experience supporting operational or project-based businesses within infrastructure, utilities, industrial, engineering, or construction sectors
• Strong financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and analysis capability
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and business partnering skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capability and strong ERP systems exposure (JDE or SAP preferred)
• Exposure to Power BI or similar data analytics/reporting tools highly regarded

• Partner with Project Managers and Operational Leaders to support project performance and financial outcomes
• Deliver accurate and timely month-end reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and project valuation activities
• Support cost control, revenue management, WIP and billing processes, and EAC integrity across projects
• Provide analysis and insights into profitability, cash flow, operational performance, and commercial outcomes
• Prepare and deliver financial reporting, variance analysis, and business commentary for stakeholders
• Support tender reviews, contract setup activities, and financial modelling for operational initiatives
• Monitor debtor and WIP balances to optimise working capital and cash flow performance
• Ensure compliance with Downer financial controls, governance frameworks, and delegation authorities
• Assist with audit processes and maintain adherence to group finance policies and standards
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives, process optimisation, and reporting enhancements
• Collaborate across finance, commercial, and operational teams to support strategic objectives

• Strong financial reporting, forecasting, budgeting, and analysis capability
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and business partnering skills
• Advanced Microsoft Excel capability
• Strong ERP systems exposure (JDE or SAP preferred)
• Exposure to Power BI or similar data analytics/reporting tools highly regarded

• Tertiary qualifications in Finance, Accounting, or Commerce
• CA or CPA qualification (or working towards completion) preferred
• Strong understanding of cost-plus and schedule of rates contract environments
• Experience supporting operational or project-based businesses within infrastructure, utilities, industrial, engineering, or construction sectors