What are the responsibilities and job description for the Accountant position at Charter Oak Communities?
Reports To: Accounting Manager
Department: Finance
Salary Grade: N/A
FLSA Status: Exempt
Union: N/A
Date Adopted: May 26, 2010
Revision Dates: February 28, 2022, March 10, 2025
Position Summary:
The Accountant position is an integral part of the Charter Oak Communities’ (COC) Finance Department. This position will interact in a collaborative team environment with others in the Finance Department and with staff at all levels across the organization. The Finance Department is responsible for oversight of the entire financial accounting function and works in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). The Accountant is involved in month and year end closing activities. This role also develops and analyzes transaction activity and financial reports. COC operates in a highly regulated environment with private investors, lending institutions (banks), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”), and Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (“CHFA”). The Accountants’ activities support COC’s strategic goals and objectives and are expected to produce results that accomplish the goals of the Finance Department and other departments as appropriate. This position may be eligible for a hybrid/remote work schedule in accordance with internal COC policy.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Accounting & Auditing
The Accountant is responsible for preparing monthly, quarterly, annual, and as needed journal entries, and recording them to the general ledger in accordance with prescribed timelines. Journal entries are recorded in COC’s financial system, Yardi in accordance with GAAP, following standards of Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and/or Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB). Several key reconciliations will be conducted on a frequent basis to ensure the general ledger is accurately presented and journal entries are correctly recorded.
-
Prepare, enter, analyze, and review accounting entries including:
- Property/Program Rental Revenue
- Cash activity
- Prepaid Expenses
- Depreciation & Amortization
- Subsidy
- Accruals
- Gather sufficient supporting documentation for journal entries.
- Research accounting issues and recommend accounting treatment for complex transactions.
- Prepare and review monthly bank and account reconciliations.
Auditing
The Accountant will participate in all multi-year annual closing processes in preparation for the organization’s external independent auditors. This position may be tasked with leading an annual audit process. The accountant will work in conjunction with the accounting team effectively with independent auditors as part of the annual audit process.
- Assist and/or manage multiple year-end financial audits.
- Prepare, analyze, and review year end trial balances in preparation for annual audit review.
- Prepare annual schedules and reconciliations validating year end balances.
- Respond to and answer any questions asked by independent auditing firm staff.
Other
- Initiate electronic wires and internal cash transfers in accordance with internal policies and procedures.
- Prepare and/or review funding requests to HUD, CHFA, DOH, and any other governmental agency.
- Support and monitor organizations investment portfolio.
- Provide reporting on investment portfolio results to senior management and Board of Commissioners.
- Conducts various internal reviews to analyze internal controls in financial and operational areas providing recommendations for improvements to processing and strengthening internal controls.
- May be required to perform other related duties as required and/or assigned.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of accounting and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
- Knowledge of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) standards.
- General knowledge of budgeting and projection processes and techniques.
- Ability to work in a team environment on various projects and initiatives.
- Results-oriented and organizational skills to meet the needs of a fast-paced deadline focused environment.
- Extremely detail oriented skills.
- Excellent communication skills – verbal and written.
- Ability to work extended hours, as needed.
Technology Requirements
- Advanced Microsoft Excel experience.
- Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Outlook, Teams, and PowerPoint.
- Proficiency in the use of Zoom or Teams for daily communication.
- Yardi, or similar web-based accounting system.
- Web-based banking system software.
- Zego Wise, or similar system, for tenant rent payments and utility payments.
- Ability to work remotely, with a stable internet connection, as needed.
Supervisory Responsibilities
May occasionally oversee staff, as necessary, as project coordinator (audits, budgets).
Minimum Education/Experience Requirements
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Management, or a related discipline is mandatory.
- A minimum of three (3) years of related accounting experience is required.
Additional Requirements
- Successfully pass a pre-employment drug test and physical, educational background, reference, and background check.
- Charter Oak Communities has a Vaccination Mandate, proof of vaccinations at the time of the acceptance of a contingent offer or submittal of a religious or medical exemption request to Human Resources Officer.
- Exams may be administered which will assess competency level in accordance with position description criteria.
Physical Requirements
Provided under separate cover.
Equal Opportunities Statement
COC is deeply committed to sustaining a workplace and global community where inclusion is not only valued but prioritized. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, family status, marital status, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, neurodiversity, disability, age, or veteran status, or any other non- merit based or legally protected grounds.
This position description lists the most significant duties of this role. However, this description is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills or working conditions associated with the position. Although it is intended to accurately reflect the activities and requirements of the position, duties may be added, deleted, or modified as necessary. This description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.
