Accounting Manager (Real Estate)

SVA Careers•Madison, WI

22h

About The Position

SVA is seeking an Accounting Manager to join its Real Estate team in Madison, Wisconsin. The Manager serves as a liaison among principals, clients, 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. The role promotes efficient firm operations through staff management, workflow planning, and informed decision-making. Managers are expected to develop expertise in LIHTC compliance, partnership taxation, affordable housing reporting, and related regulatory requirements. The position’s responsibilities are divided among client work (60%), supervision and leadership (30%), and professional, personal, and business development (10%). Client work typically requires 55 hours per week during busy season, including weekends, and 40–45 hours per week during non-busy season. The role is based in Wisconsin.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
At least 5 years of public accounting experience, including experience serving affordable housing, real estate, and/or LIHTC clients.
CPA certification.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with applicable laws, regulations, and firm policies.
Ability to work typically 55 hours per week during busy season, including weekends, and 40–45 hours per week during non-busy season.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of partnership taxation, affordable housing accounting, LIHTC compliance, and real estate financial reporting.
Familiarity with HUD, RD, and state housing authority reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

Execute affordable housing and LIHTC audit and tax engagements from planning through field work, review, and client communication.
Monitor engagement progress against budgeted time, expenses, and completion dates; ensure work is properly sequenced and anticipate problem areas.
Supervise preparation of client work products and evaluate internal controls prepared by staff.
Maintain ongoing client contact and develop an understanding of clients’ operations and compliance requirements.
Serve as the primary contact for new client onboarding.
Keep the In-Charge informed of important developments and communicate major problems, facts, conclusions, and recommendations.
Prepare monthly billings and protect confidential client information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and SVA policies.
Advise clients on affordable housing compliance and reporting, including HUD, RD, and state housing agency requirements where applicable.
Assign work to staff based on their knowledge and capabilities; prepare and discuss performance evaluations; train, guide, and provide constructive feedback to staff.
Lead staff development, engagement, and retention; conduct stay interviews and work with leadership to address themes.
Identify recruitment needs and participate in interview panels; identify low performance and address it through direct conversations.
Transfer client relationships to junior staff as appropriate and recognize staff members meaningfully.
Maintain accurate career-pathway heatmaps and documented, evolving career plans for direct reports; communicate firm strategy and explain its rationale.
Work with a mentor to develop a career path, research complex topics, and present concise analyses and recommendations.
Participate in or lead SVA and community events and participate actively in business or industry associations.
Use internal and external learning opportunities, refine project-management skills, and mentor accounting staff.
Expand services for existing clients, develop business consulting acumen, and develop and present training, including writing articles for publication.
Lead moderate to complex internal projects, network with centers of influence, and achieve client-retention and cross-selling and upselling goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.