Director - Property Accounting

Director - Property Accounting

Department: Financial Operations

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Corporate

Description

The Director - Property Accounting is responsible for overseeing the accounting and financial reporting functions for Property Accounting. This role will work with a team of Property Accounting members to oversee the end of month close functions, implement accounting software, and streamline accounting best practices. The Director - Property Accounting will ensure that internal accounting standards and control processes are in line with American Campus Community goals and initiatives as well as Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).

Critical Duties:

• Supervise, mentor, and train a team of individuals including, but not limited to: Property Accounting Managers, Staff Accountants, Property Accountants, etc.
• Oversee review functions during end of month close to include, but not limited to: variance analysis, income statement reviews, balance sheet reconciliations, etc.
• Collaborates with the Financial Planning & Analysis teams on variance analysis and forecasting as presented to the Executive Leadership.
• Primary liaison with internal departments to include, but not limited to: Operations, Corporate Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis, etc. and senior leadership.
• Play a key role in the implementation of property accounting software and tools to streamline accounting processes and enhance reporting capabilities.
• Works with the Property Accounting, Financial Reporting and Investments Teams on acquisition and disposition accounting.

Essential Duties:

• Implement new policies and procedures and/or modify existing policies and procedures to make the financial reporting and/or accounting processes more effective, streamlined, and efficient.
• Provide accounting expertise in the ongoing implementation of process improvement and other projects.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining departmental policies and procedures, including internal controls.
• Prepare monthly financials for complex properties as needed to include financial statement packages and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Performs accounting research on technical matters to include, but not limited to accounting standards, principles, rules, etc.
• Assist with both internal and external audit requests to include, but not limited to: participating in and/or leading process or controls walkthroughs, providing PBC requests to internal and external auditors for both controls testing and substantive audits as well as responding to auditor questions or finding.
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate improvements of internal accounting and control processes, ensuring that practices are in line with overall goals of the organization and GAAP.
• Liaise with external parties including joint venture (JV) partners, University partners and third-party clients to address any issues or questions that may arise.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Carries out supervisor responsibilities, including interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning assigning and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems.
• Coach, train and develop a team while managing the workflow and prioritization of projects and ensuring on-time execution and completion.

American Campus Communities Culture Commitments

• Our people are devoted to a culture of inclusion, diversity, and equality in the workplace and our communities. We are committed to intentionally executing an evolving set of goals specific to inclusion, diversity, and accountability, driven by empathetic leadership and embraced by all.
• The core of American Campus culture involves everyone being fully invested in everything that we do down to picking up the smallest piece of trash in the office and around our communities. No matter their position or duration at the organization, everyone picks up trash.
• Serve as an American Campus representative and liaison in all interactions.
• Certain activities involved in this position may be photographed and/or video and audio recorded for quality control and/or training purposes. Compliance with the Photo, Video and Voice Recording Policy is a condition of employment.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the minimum knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education/Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Accounting and/or Finance required.
• 7+ years related in public accounting, and/or related professional experience required.
• 2+ years professional management experience preferred.
• Public accounting experience preferred.
• Real Estate experience a plus.

Certificates/Licenses:

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Advanced knowledge of U.S. GAAP and a strong understanding of accounting processes.
• Internal Controls.

Skill in:

• Accounting software and/or systems.
• Effective written and verbal communication.
• Problem solving and teamwork.
• Cross organization collaboration.
• Administration and organization.
• Project management.
• Time management.
• Interpersonal collaboration.
• Multi-entity financial statements.
• Analytical strategic conceptualization and consulting.
• Advanced Excel and the MS Office Suite.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, analytical, leadership, and presentation skills.

Ability to:

• Handle multiple high priority projects with a keen attention to detail.
• Meet deadlines and deliverables.
• Make decisions effectively and coordinate projects independently.
• Think strategically and be proactive about identifying and solving problems.
• Effectively manage responsibilities to achieve timely and thorough completion.
• Comprehend multiple abstract and concrete variables simultaneously.
• Provide strategic thinking, analysis, and solutions to problems.
• Multi-task and adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Dental
• Vison
• 401(k)
• Medical & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Maternity Leave
• Health Insurance
• Short Term & Long Term Disability