Senior Special Project Accountant

Senior Special Project Accountant

Job description 

The Senior Special Project Accountant is responsible for the daily accounting on a portfolio of properties along with corporate records, providing thorough financial oversight and compliance.  This position is responsible for maintaining accurate accounting books for individual properties to produce monthly financial reports to be used by management to assess the profitability of the business.  The Senior Special Project Accountant will have the fiduciary responsibility to follow acceptable levels of internal controls, ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations, and safeguarding owners/investors assets.

Essential Functions

• Assist operations management with accounting functions to facilitate proper bookkeeping for accounts receivable ledgers and accounts
• Timely and accurately prepare monthly financial statements for the Corporate and Property Management portfolio: bank statements, management of receivables, payables, control mechanisms and timely deposits of all funds
• Monitor corporate and property revenues and expenses and ensure accurate recording in accordance with management agreement guidelines 
• Oversee the individual debt obligations for corporate accounts and properties within the portfolio, ensure payments are made on time, principal and interest are accurately recorded, and all debt covenants are maintained
• Provide financial analysis of financial data and operations to assist and advise management in maintaining the corporate and properties financial objectives.  Alert supervisor and/or management of financial concerns within the portfolio, to provide articulation about the current financial state
• Complies with standard accounting policies and procedures and internal controls for finance and accounting operations
• Timely production and review of financial packets, including all balance sheet accounts, monthly bank reconciliation and general ledger account reconciliations 
• Work directly with Corporate Controller on successful completion of all internal and external financial audits, including coordination of work with CPA firms and delivery of information requested by auditors on a timely basis
• Work with operations management to produce budgets for corporate and properties
• Prepares all financial reports in accordance with all management agreement requirements, meeting various due dates and deadlines
• Update corporate and property management systems or software to reflect the new month's timeline accurately. Review month end reports to assess the financial performance of corporate accounts and managed properties
• Verify account receivable payments, charges, and security deposit balances to maintain transparency and accountability. Correct any inaccuracies or discrepancies in account receivable ledgers promptly 
• Aid with financial forecasting including cash needs on a weekly/monthly basis with Corporate Controller
• Monitor construction draw process and work with auditors on cost certification audits
• Oversee reconciliation of intercompany accounts between corporate entities and properties
• Communicate with investors, lenders and management to address any concerns related to financial records and charges
• Executes other special projects and responsibilities as assigned

Nonessential Functions – Performs other duties as assigned

Competencies and Abilities

• Proven accounting skills working in a small/mid-size business environment

• Ability to work in a team environment and assist other team members to reach individual and team deadlines
• Ability to follow detailed procedures as directed by management and Controller
• Ability to multi-task among multiple projects, anticipate, identify problems using sound judgement and fact-based analysis
• Financial management and analytical skills
• Efficient and effective project organization and time management skills
• Computer Skills: RealPage/Onesite Leasing & Rents and Accounting software, Excel, and Microsoft products
• Ethical Conduct
• Possess time management and organizational skills

Supervisory Responsibility

• This position does not have supervisory responsibility and reports to the Controller.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a professional open office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, telephones, copiers, and fax machines.

Physical/Mental Demands 

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. 
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently is required to sit for lengths of time, stand, walk, bend, stoop/squat, reach, life, carry, push/pull, travel, problem solving, making decisions, interpreting data, organizing, writing and planning.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work 

• This is a full-time position. Standard office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additional hours are expected during busier periods (i.e. month-end, audit, budget).

Education and Experience

1.         Batcheler's degree in accounting (or equivalent) 

2.         Ten-plus years of accounting experience required

3.         Experience in property management or real estate accounting preferred

4.         Knowledge of low income and affordable housing programs (e.g., HUD section 8 subsidized housing, IRS section 42 (LIHTC Program), HOME funds, Rural Development) preferred 

5.         Knowledge and experience with RealPage software, which includes tenant ledgers and AR ledgers 

Other Duties

• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.