Accounting Operations Analyst

The Accounting Operations Analyst will specialize in the interpretation and review of lease language and will possess the ability to negotiate directly with tenants with regards to CAM, insurance, real estate tax and other recoverable expenses. This will require the analyst to be well-versed with lease language and assist with judgmental decisions related to the calculation of recoverable expenses to assist in the timely collection of these expenses. In addition, the analyst will be responsible for comprehensive tenant lease setup, maintenance and lease review for accuracy from a legal standpoint, supporting over 5,500 tenants. The analyst will be a resource to our internal customers including, but not limited to: Financial Reporting, Marketing, Finance, Property Management, Asset Management, Construction, Property Accounting, Recoveries, Tax, etc.

About us:

Phillips Edison & Company takes PRIDE in creating great omni-channel grocery-anchored shopping experiences and improving communities, one center at a time. PECO’s culture is fueled by the ENERGY our team brings to work every day – to find creative solutions and create value for our centers, our investors, our communities and the greater world around us. PECO’s culture is driven by our team’s CONNECTION to each other and the communities in which we live and work. PECO embraces the OPPORTUNITY to source and implement creative and sustainable programs to create a positive impact on the environment.

Phillips Edison’s operating platform provides retail services including acquisition, redevelopment, leasing and management of grocery-anchored retail centers.

What you'll do:

Tenant Recovery

• Research and analyze assigned tenant questions or dispute cases, using language from the tenant lease and applying critical thinking and decision-making skills to resolve issues and answer questions
• Prepare adjustments to CAM/RE Tax/Insurance/Utility reconciliations as needed per the terms of the lease. Ensure that Asset Management and Property Management are made aware of issues at each property as they are identified and assist in resolving issues as needed
• Prepare correspondence and documentation in accordance with established policies and procedures to notify tenants of the company’s position on specific disputed issues
• Assist Customer Solutions Specialists in the collection of recoverable expenses. This often requires responding directly to tenants and answering very specific billing questions by using negotiation and persuasive skills to secure the maximum amount of reimbursement for recoverable expenses for the company’s benefit
• Actively collect balances for Anchor and National tenants as identified by the SVP of Portfolio Management and Customer Solutions and the Tenant Recovery Manager
• Notify CAM reconciliations team of required changes to MRI lease setups as identified during the handling of tenant dispute cases

Lease Accounting

• Review pending issues drafted by third party service provider (Accenture) related to understanding of executed leases and agreements, provide precise and concise notes to assist in importing process from MRI LeaseFlow to Commercial Management
• Review executed leases (new, renewals, options, amendments, assignments, acquisitions, etc) imported to MRI by third party service provider (Accenture) for completeness, accuracy, etc. to comply with internal controls
• Input expansion and relocation agreements into system per legal documents executed
• Update leases for open and close notices provided by property management
• Update leases for termination agreements and legal possessions
• Address helpdesk tickets for items related to lease administration and lease billing
• On-going tenant-ledger activities included but not limited to: upload charges from other departments, bankruptcies, acquisition and disposition, answering general questions about ledgers

General:

• Assist the Tenant Recovery Manager and Lease Accounting Manager with special projects and other items on an ad hoc basis
• Complete Audit requests from External Auditors
• Work with IT to enhance existing processes and create efficiencies

What we're looking for:

• Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree or equivalent experience preferred
• Minimum of 2 years prior professional experience in either Accounting/Finance or Commercial Real Estate/Lease Administration capacity
• Must have strong communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to communicate to a variety of audiences including senior leadership
• Competitive drive and exceptional critical thinking skills are highly desired qualities for this role
• Ability to multi-task in a high-volume, deadline-oriented environment with frequent interruptions
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Proven track record of accuracy in daily work and other projects
• MRI experience and advanced Excel skills preferred

Why PECO?

• We are characterized by our #PeopleofPECO. They are dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial. They are driven to succeed and make a lasting impact on our growing organization. Having highly trained, energized and skilled professionals throughout every level of our organization is a great source of pride and key element of success for Phillips Edison & Company.
• Voted a Cincinnati Top Places to Work for the past 8 years!

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)