Sr. Analyst, Real Estate

Why you'll love working here:

• high-performance, people-focused culture
• our commitment that equity, diversity, and inclusion are fundamental to our work environment and business success, which helps employees feel valued and empowered to be their authentic selves
• learning and development initiatives, including workshops, Speaker Series events and access to LinkedIn Learning, that support employees' career growth
• membership in HOOPP's world class defined benefit pension plan, which can serve as an important part of your retirement security
• competitive, 100% company-paid extended health and dental benefits for permanent employees, including coverage supporting our team's diversity and mental health (e.g., gender affirmation, fertility and drug treatment, psychological support benefits of $2,500 per year, parental leave top-up, and a health spending account).
• optional post-retirement health and dental benefits subsidized at 50%
• yoga classes, meditation workshops, nutritional consultations, and wellness seminars
• the opportunity to make a difference and help take care of those who care for us, by providing a financially secure retirement for Ontario healthcare workers

Job Summary

HOOPP's Real Estate portfolio has a net value of over $10 billion. The portfolio largely consists of direct investments in real properties, but also includes indirect investments in real estate through limited partnership vehicles. The investments are located across North America and Europe, which gives rise to varied reporting standards and foreign exchange considerations.

As the subject matter expert of the team, the Senior Analyst, Real Estate serves as the main point of contact and technical expert for both Investment Management and HOOPP's external asset and property managers. The Senior Analyst is tasked with ensuring that transactions (both internally and externally generated) are accurately reflected in Yardi, and that the financial data transferred from Yardi to Oracle is accurate and delivered on a timely basis. The Senior Analyst, is also responsible for reviewing and approving the work of junior staff, as well as providing direction and guidance to the junior staff members.

What you will do:

• Oversee the monthly collection and input of electronic data into the real estate administration system. Review, reconcile and analyze the data provided by external managers to ensure it is complete and accurate. This would include ensuring that the data is compliant with HOOPP policies and procedures, as well as industry accounting and valuation standards.
• Ensure all manual month-end entries are accurately booked into Yardi, including review and approval of entries prepared by junior staff.
• Perform regular mapping of Yardi balances to ensure agreement with property manager books, and review and approve mapping performed by junior staff.
• Responsible for working on complex accounting issues beyond the expertise of the Analysts. This would include recording acquisitions/dispositions, changes in ownership, and investigating/reconciling/resolving identified accounting issues.
• Ensure that all acquisitions and dispositions of properties are recorded appropriately in Yardi, and that purchase and sale agreements and documentation are complete and up-to-date.
• Provide guidance, mentoring, and feedback to the two Analysts, Real Estate. Review and approval of Analysts' work.
• Build relationships with accounting and valuation staff of 12 external property managers. Ensure they understand and comply with HOOPP data and reporting requirements and timelines. Answer queries on a multitude of issues on a daily basis. Create an environment that will encourage external managers to cooperate fully and communicate effectively on issues. Communicate accounting policies and procedures for external property managers based on HOOPP's policies and best practices. Coordinate with property management staff to ensure transactions are accurately recorded and provide technical expertise as required.
• Respond to queries from Investment Management and provide materials and analysis as requested. Also, maintain close contact with front office to keep abreast of significant transactions or events.
• Prepare, record and reconcile entry from the real estate system to the general ledger of the fund on a monthly basis. Coordinate preparation of month-end working paper for review by Director and Vice-President, Investment Operations.
• Calculate and report portfolio performance to Investment Reporting and financial reporting to Investment Management.
• Assist in external audit process. Establish and communicate deadlines and audit requirements to property managers. Prepare working papers and supporting documentation including financial statement notes and variance analysis. Respond to queries from auditors.
• Assist the Director, Real Estate in the appraisal process by reconciling information with property budgets, reviewing leasing activity and rent roll for each asset. Ensure the updated valuation for each property is processed accurately into Yardi and entries to update current market value are booked upon finalization of the appraisal.
• Review management fee calculations provided by property and asset managers on an annual basis to ensure calculations are accurate and in accordance with relevant management agreements.
• Reconcile GST accounts for multiple properties to CRA records. Resolve issues related to GST raised by external managers.
• Assist with the on-going development and maintenance of reports in the Yardi system to ensure report set up is up-to-date and add value to Investment Management. Also, initiate development of new reports that will improve department efficiencies.

What you bring:

• University degree in Business, Finance or related discipline
• Qualified accountant (CPA)
• 7-10 years experience in real estate operations including property and investment accounting
• Experience in real estate accounting preferably gained through Property or Asset management is a requirement
• Knowledge and experience in real estate valuation would be an asset
• Experience in use of Yardi software would be an asset
• Extensive knowledge of real estate operations, accounting policies and procedures
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills
• Attention to detail, accuracy, and completeness is extremely important along with the ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently
• Excellent interpersonal skills to facilitate interaction with senior Investment Management staff and external property managers
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships with colleagues in geographically dispersed locations
• Ability to respond to queries on numerous topics effectively and promptly
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to manage conflicting priorities
• Proactive self-starter who is highly motivated and results-oriented
• Ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Demonstrated ability in developing and implementing process improvements
• Solid knowledge of real estate administration systems