Accounting Manager (Real Estate)

Overview

The Manager acts as the liaison between the principals, the client, and accounting staff and is generally responsible for all phases of moderate to complex assurance and tax engagements for affordable housing and real estate clients, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) entities.

Client Work

• Execute affordable housing and LIHTC audit and tax engagements from start to finish by coordinating all phases, including: planning, field work, review process & communication to client.
• Determine whether all phases of the engagement are carried out properly and in the best sequence, to anticipate the problem areas and questions that will arise.
• Maintain continuous contact with clients, including developers, ownership groups, management companies, syndicators, and nonprofit organizations, throughout the business year while developing a strong understanding of their operations and compliance requirements.
• Evaluate internal controls prepared by the staff.
• Keep the In-Charge informed of important developments in the work.
• Communicate any major problems that occur with all the facts, their conclusions and recommendations.
• Prepare monthly billings.
• Maintain confidentiality with client information in accordance with related laws and regulations and adhere to all SVA policies and procedures.
• Ensure all duties are performed efficiently, and to a satisfactory level, typically requiring 55 hours/week during busy season (including weekends), and 40-45 hours/week during non-busy season.
• Advise clients on affordable housing compliance and reporting matters, including HUD, RD, and state housing agency requirements where applicable.

Supervision and Leadership

• Assign work to staff members on the basis of their knowledge and capabilities.
• Prepare and discuss staff performance evaluations.
• Participate in the training of staff members; offer guidance and direction and give constructive feedback of work papers.
• Effectively lead others, and be actively involved with staff development, take ownership of staff engagement and retention.
• Conduct stay interviews and work with leadership to resolve any themes.
• Identify need for staff recruitment, actively participate in interview panels.
• As appropriate, transfer the client relationship to junior staff to ensure the right work is being performed at each level.
• Identify poor/low performers. Have difficult/direct conversations to manage those individuals up/out with a focus on retaining qualified and quality staff members.
• Provide individualized and meaningful recognition to staff members. Focus on intrinsic rewards.
• Ensure career pathways “heatmaps” of direct reports are accurate and reflective of the work performed.
• Align with the firm strategy and communicate developments to staff. Explain the “why.”

Professional, Personal and Business Development

• Work with mentor to continue to develop career path.
• Research complex topics. Propose findings in analytical, concise manner, including recommendation.
• Participate and/or lead in SVA and community events, professional, civic or charitable organizations.
• Utilize internal and external learning opportunities.
• Continue to refine project management skills.
• Serve as a mentor to multiple members of the accounting staff.
• Expand services for existing clients.
• Develop business consulting acumen.
• Develop and present internal and external training, including writing articles for publication.
• Lead moderate to complex internal projects.
• Network with COI’s.
• Achieve client retention targets.
• Achieve new and existing cross selling and upselling goals.