Engineering & Architectural Firms

Clear Financial Visibility Across Every Project

Engineering and architectural firms manage projects that move through multiple phases, from initial studies and concept design to detailed documentation and construction support. Each phase brings different staffing needs, consultant costs and billing milestones. Keeping these activities connected to your accounting records helps you understand project performance and maintain timely billing.

OBG Outsourcing provides bookkeeping and accounting support focused on project accounting, work in progress and billing. We help engineering practices, architectural studios and the accounting firms serving them maintain organized project records and prepare useful financial reports.

Project Accounting

Understanding project performance starts with recording income and costs against the correct engagement and project phase.

We organize project revenue, staff costs, subconsultant invoices and reimbursable expenses using approved timesheets and supporting records. Consistent project coding helps your team review costs across design stages, departments or individual engagements.

Project Budgets and Cost Tracking

Additional design work, revisions and changes in staffing can affect project margins. Comparing actual costs with approved budgets helps management identify where an engagement needs attention.

We prepare budget-versus-actual schedules and track labor, subconsultant and other direct costs by project. Shared expenses are allocated using your approved methods, with direct costs and overhead shown separately for clearer interpretation.

Work-in-Progress Tracking

Work completed does not always move immediately into a client invoice. Approved time and expenses may remain unbilled while your team waits for a milestone, supporting documentation or client approval.

We maintain work-in-progress schedules using available project records, approved timesheets and expense details. These schedules help your project managers identify unbilled activity and review which items are ready for billing.

WIP Review and Reconciliation

Older unbilled balances need regular review to establish whether they remain recoverable, require additional documentation or need an approved adjustment.

We reconcile opening WIP balances with current activity, amounts transferred to billing and approved adjustments. Aging schedules highlight items requiring attention. Accounting entries follow your designated accountant’s policies, with operational WIP records distinguished from recognized revenue and contract balances where applicable.

Milestone and Progress Billing

Engineering and architectural engagements may use fixed fees, hourly charges or billing linked to approved milestones. Clear billing schedules help keep invoicing aligned with the agreed scope.

We prepare draft invoices using approved fee schedules, timesheets and progress information. Our team tracks previously billed amounts and remaining fees, helping your reviewers check invoices before they are issued.

Reimbursable Expenses and Scope Changes

Travel, printing, specialist services and additional work can affect client billing. These items need to be supported and assessed against the engagement’s agreed terms.

We organize reimbursable expense records and maintain schedules for approved scope changes and additional fees. Pending approvals are tracked separately so your team can resolve them before including amounts in client invoices.

Receivables and Collection Tracking

Issuing an invoice is only one part of the billing process. Your firm also needs visibility into collections, overdue balances and disputed amounts.

We reconcile receipts against invoices, maintain receivables aging reports and document payment differences. These records help your team prioritize follow-up and understand how billing and collections affect project cash flow.

Project Reporting and Monthly Close

Consistent reporting brings together project costs, unbilled activity, invoiced amounts and collections.

We prepare project financial summaries, WIP movement schedules and billing reports, supported by monthly account reconciliations. Where reliable information is available, reports can be grouped by project manager, service line or location to support management reviews.

White-Label Support for Accounting Firms

OBG Outsourcing also works behind accounting firms serving engineering and architectural clients. We assist with project accounting, WIP schedules, billing records and supporting workpapers while your firm retains the client relationship, review authority and final approval.

With organized project finances, your team can dedicate more time to design, delivery and client coordination.