Director, Development Cost Accounting

Role Overview 

We are seeking a strategic and hands-on Director of Development Cost Accounting to lead all aspects of project cost accounting across Colovore’s national development portfolio. This role is critical to ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and scalability of financial reporting for ground-up construction projects. The Director will partner cross-functionally with Development, Construction, and Finance leadership to drive financial visibility, cost discipline, and process improvement across the project lifecycle.  

This individual will be responsible for managing cost accounting operations, overseeing the draw process, optimizing job cost systems, and mentoring a high-performing team as we scale. The ideal candidate has deep experience in real estate development or construction accounting and thrives in high-growth, fast-paced environments. 

Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership & Oversight  

• Lead all cost accounting functions for development projects from pre-construction through final closeout. 
• Serve as a key business partner to Finance and Development leadership, providing strategic insight into cost drivers, risks, and savings opportunities.  

Cost Control & Financial Reporting  

• Oversee the accuracy and completeness of project cost data, including budgets, commitments, change orders, actuals, and accruals. 
• Direct the preparation of timely and audit-ready monthly reports, financial statements, and lender draw packages.  

Change Order & Risk Management  

• Review, evaluate, and approve change orders in coordination with construction and finance leads. 
• Ensure cost impacts are aligned with scope, contract terms, and drawings, and assess cost exposure to mitigate project risk.  

System Optimization & Process Improvement  

• Define and implement scalable cost accounting workflows, controls, and reporting frameworks. 
• Lead system configuration and process enhancements across platforms like Yardi Job Cost and Textura.  

Team Development & Collaboration  

• Build and lead a growing team of cost accountants. 
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture with a focus on accountability, efficiency, and accuracy.  

Stakeholder Communication & Governance  

• Communicate financial insights and variance analysis to executive and project teams. 
• Establish governance standards for job cost data integrity and support clean internal and external audits. 

Key Skills 

• Construction & Development Accounting: Deep understanding of full project cost lifecycle, including budgets, change management, accruals, capitalization, and closeout.
• Systems Expertise: Proficiency in ERP and job cost platforms such as Procore, Yardi, Texura, or similar; able to drive configuration and integration improvements.
• Process Ownership: Demonstrated success building scalable accounting operations, process documentation (SOPs), and internal controls in dynamic environments.
• Leadership & Influence: Proven ability to lead teams, partner cross-functionally, and drive alignment across finance and project stakeholders. 

Required Experience 

• 7+ years of experience in real estate development or construction accounting, with increasing responsibility. 
• Proven track record of managing cost accounting across large-scale development projects. 
• Experience developing policy and implementing foundational cost accounting processes.  
• Versed in construction loan draw preparation and related stakeholder management. 
• Experience building or leading a team and working cross-functionally with Development, Construction, and Finance leaders.  
• Strong working knowledge of job cost systems, ERP platforms, and construction management software.  
• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA preferred but not required. 

What Success Looks Like 

• Accurate, timely, and audit-ready reporting of development costs across all active projects. 
• Strong governance over dra