Manager of Accounting

Lutheran Social Services is currently seeking a Manager of Accounting to join our growing Project Accounting team. This Manager of Accounting will lead a team of project accountants focused on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and Housing (LIHTC) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD) projects. Project Accounting roles support a specialized area of accounting focused on the financial management of rental properties, including recording income, expenses, rent collection, preparing financial reports and leading audits with the goal to provide excellent customer service to all those needing financial data to make decisions within the organization.

This is a full-time, benefit eligible, hybrid (1-2 days per week in office) role based out of our West Allis. The position offers compensation of $100,000 - $120,000 annually based on education, skills and previous experience.

Essential Duties and responsibilities:

This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Supervises a growing team of 3-4 colleagues in Accounting Services (Accountants)
• Accomplish human capital objectives by recruiting, orienting, training, assigning, coaching, rewarding and disciplining employees; communicating job expectations; complete employee performance assessments; enforcing policies and procedures.
• Lead and assist in establishing goals and objectives and monitor and advise staff on progress.
• Support Director of Accounting and CFO with special projects as requested and other responsibilities, as assigned.
• Model and maintain high ethical standards in financial reporting.
• Oversees applicable colleagues of the organization. Provide work direction, guidance, and training around best practices and mentors others, as necessary.
• Build relationships and trust through open dialogue, as well as intentional and ongoing employee conversations.
• Hold direct reports accountable for supporting organization policies, procedures, and change management.
• Ensure staff are appropriately selected, trained, developed, utilized, appraised, and recognized for performance.
• Promote Organization vision and goals; inspires and engages others in their relationship to the organization and business unit goals.

This Manager is a working leader and will have project accounting work assigned to them to include:

Accounting:

• Meticulously recording all rental income for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, as well as expenses related to property maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, and other operational costs.
• Record monthly accruals as needed for each project, as well as proper recording of prepaid expenses.
• Manage the balance sheet including proper adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accounting and oversight of cash.
• Complete and/or review monthly account reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts.
• Manage banking transactions including positive pay and transfers between restricted and unrestricted cash accounts.
• Maintain proper record of approvals and tracking over allowance for doubtful accounts for tenant past due balances
• Record construction draws for new project development, if applicable.
• Communicate/collaborate with investors and other external parties regarding project goals or concerns.
• Collaborate with operations team/property managers to resolve issues in tenant subledgers.
• Prepare and record monthly intercompany billing for project payroll expense and other reimbursements and fees.

Budgeting and Forecasting:

• Participate in the budgeting process for each property.
• Forecasting future cash flow, including income and expenses.
• Making recommendations to help support profitability.

Financial Reporting:

• Generating financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to provide property owners and stakeholders with a clear picture of the property's financial performance.
• Complete income statement fluctuation analysis on a monthly basis for each project.

Compliance:

• Review entity legal documents such as Operating/Management Agreements to ensure proper adherence to agreements and to set up accounting practices for newly established projects.
• Leading HUD and LIHTC audits for assigned properties. Complete real estate assessment center (REAC) annual reporting for HUD projects.
• Completion of Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax 990 tax reporting, if applicable.

What's in it for you:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
  • Assistance navigating the PSLF through Summer
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Mileage reimbursement
• Generous Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Calm Wellness App - Premium Access
• Early Earned Wage Access with UKG Wallet
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Position requires knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired with a minimum of 7 years of experience, with increasing responsibility in financial accounting and general ledger/or auditing experience. Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting is required.
• CPA license is strongly preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel specifically using v-lookups and pivot tables.
• Experience in working with multiple legal entities under different legal umbrellas including consolidation and intercompany/elimination accounting.
• Experience supervising, leading, and/or training others is strongly preferred.
• Additional experience preferred in public accounting, "not-for-profit" accounting, and/or government contracting.
• Experience with the development and implementation of integrated accounting systems a plus.
• Strong technical skills in the areas of GAAP accounting, financial reporting, and analysis.
• Effective leader with demonstrated ability to work collaboratively, lead people and achieve results.
• Use proper judgement to determine when to escalate a concern and provide potential solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet required deadlines.
• Ability to read, analyze, interpret, and summarize contracts, agreements, general business periodicals, technical procedures and/or governmental regulations and implement relevant provisions.
• Ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries, complaints, and areas for improvement.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including leading discussions with upper management and executive levels of leadership as well as external customers and vendors.
• Strong customer service skills and focus.
• Exceptional work ethic and proper attention to detail are essential to be successful in this role.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

Must have a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and the ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

COMPUTER SKILLS/TECHNOLOGY:

Working knowledge of computers to allow employee to access computer systems and applications to complete timecards, read and respond to email, and complete required on-line training. Exceptional computer skills in the operation and functioning of all programs used by the organization, i.e., Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio and all related financial applications and reporting tools.

TRAVEL: Ability to travel on day trips as required up to 5%. Some overnight travel may be required.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE).