Client Accounting Manager
Position Summary
The Client Accounting Manager position is responsible for managing and monitoring the daily activities of assigned Client Accounting staff and ensuring that all Transwestern/Owner policies and procedures are consistently and accurately followed for the assigned properties. The Manager performs periodic reviews of reports, reconciliations, and other financial information to ensure accuracy and consistency. The Manager works closely with Property Management and Clients to ensure that all reporting deadlines are met. The Manager provides mentoring to staff and sets a positive and healthy culture within the team.
Essential Job Functions
- Direct and manage professional staff on a daily basis, must possess a thorough understanding of the job responsibilities of each staff member and be able to recommend necessary process changes and improvements.
- Screen, hire, supervise, mentor and train staff as required. This also may include initiating disciplinary actions, including terminations.
- Prepare and review monthly accounting calendars to ensure that client accounting staff is appropriately controlling project deadline flow, that all reporting deadlines, special payments (e.g., mortgages and taxes) and owner requirements are documented and met.
- Perform Treasury Management oversight, disbursement approvals and signatory on client bank accounts.
- Prepare and review detailed financial reports, reconciliations and all financial information prepared by the accounting staff and/or the property management staff to ensure compliance with Owner Policies and Procedures and the Management Agreement.
- Assist in the preparation of the annual budget with members of property management. Review the budget prepared by the property manager. Assist in the preparation of the annual expenses recovery reconciliation schedules. Review the calculations prepared by the property manager and provide comments to ensure accuracy.
- Review and approve new vendors as well as changes to existing vendors. Activate new vendors in the accounting systems. Review and post tenant adjustments.
- Review and approve bank reconciliations. Approve invoices in applicable payables systems. Maintain mortgage, property tax and sales tax tracking schedules to ensure all taxes are paid.
- Avoidance of new project takeovers, coordinating the transition with accountants, clients, property management and Treasury. Provide guidance and training in the utilization of assigned real estate accounting software (MRI, Yardi, P2P, ClickPay, Client Accounting Systems, etc.) as required.
- Maintain oversight in maintaining, reviewing, and filing of all required accounting documentation into Prop360. Train staff on the Prop360 accounting filing requirements as required.
- Communicate effectively with supervisor, colleagues, clients, internal and external auditors, tax preparers and team members as required.
- Perform or assume additional client accounting duties as assigned.
Position Requirements
- A bachelor's degree with emphasis in accounting or finance.
- A CPA is preferred.
- A minimum of 7+ years of recent fee-based property management accounting experience preferred.
- A minimum of 2+ years of recent accounting department management experience.
- Advanced knowledge of financial reports and principles including knowledge of current accounting methods (cash and basic accruals), fixed asset accounting (depreciation and amortization schedules), SL rent schedules, annual expenses recoveries and budgets. Ability to apply generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
- Advanced knowledge of the budget reporting requirements of each Owner and participate/assist in the preparation of the annual budget with members of property management.
- Advanced knowledge of the escalation and operating expense budgeting and reconciliation process, including the calculation of “gross-ups”, and participate/assist in the preparation of the actual reconciliation schedules.
- Advanced knowledge of Transwestern internal controls and ability to supervise, review and train as needed.
- Applicable experience in real estate accounting software packages, preferably with MRI and/or Yardi.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, TEAMS, Outlook, OneNote and Adobe.
- Demonstrate strong analytical capabilities with a high attention to detail.
- Ability to handle multiple projects, changing priorities and demanding, time-sensitive, work load(s).
- Ability to provide general direction/be self-managed/work independently.
- Ability to provide efficient, timely, reliable and courteous service to internal and external customers.
- Ability to keep information and internal communications confidential.
- People focused manager. Collaborator with colleagues, teams and other departments.
- Exhibit excellent verbal and written communication skills.
About Us
Transwestern’s Guiding Principles are woven into the fabric of our firm and underscore the value of each individual team member. We embrace inclusion – not only as the right thing to do, but as a reflection of who we are. It is our responsibility and heartfelt desire to create an environment that elevates the human spirit and brings out the best in everyone. Different backgrounds, life experiences and cultures shape our individual perspectives and ultimately generate the best results for our clients. Strategic human capital planning combined with development initiatives foster a work environment that celebrates uniqueness and champions the achievements attained through collaboration.