Accounting Manager

Westward360•Chicago, IL

1d•$70,000 - $80,000

About The Position

Westward 360 is looking to add an Accounting Manager to join our growing accounting team in Chicago. If you want an opportunity to grow with a company on the rise, look no further! We pride ourselves in providing the ultimate experience for our clients. Westward360 is a leader in the property management industry, serving condominium, townhome, homeowner, and rental communities nationwide. We are seeking a driven, detail-oriented accounting leader to help oversee financial operations for our Rental Management division and help scale systems, processes, and performance. The Accounting Manager serves as the head accountant for the Rental Management division, responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, timely owner draws, and strong internal controls. This role oversees day-to-day accounting operations, leads a team of accounting professionals, and partners closely with leadership to support financial strategy, compliance, and growth. This position plays a critical role in maintaining clean, reliable financial data while continuously improving processes, strengthening controls, and ensuring accurate and timely financial insights for owners, investors, and leadership.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field (CPA preferred).
5+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership or management responsibilities.
Strong knowledge of accrual-based accounting, budgeting, and financial reporting.
Proficiency in accounting systems (QuickBooks, NetSuite preferred) and Excel/Google Sheets.
Excellent leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
High attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in real estate or property management is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead and manage a team of accounting professionals, providing training, guidance, and performance management.
Conduct daily accounting SCRUMs to ensure priorities and deadlines are met.
Establish KPIs to measure team performance, accuracy, and workload.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Oversee daily accounting operations, including reconciliations, approvals, and exception management.
Manage and approve ACH payments, wires, bill payments, and owner draws.
Oversee daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting tasks.
Ensure accuracy and timeliness of financial records, owner reports, and internal reporting.
Manage check scanning, deposits, and related documentation as needed.
Review and oversee general ledger activity and transaction accuracy.
Prepare and review monthly financial statements and reporting packages.
Support audits for CPA, banking, and insurance partners.
Ensure clean, timely delivery of owner financials and management reports.
Provide regular reporting to the Corporate Controller.
Identify trends, risks, and opportunities through financial analysis.
Participate in budgeting and forecasting processes aligned with company goals.
Monitor budget performance and recommend adjustments as needed.
Support cash flow management and revenue forecasting.
Oversee investor draws, management fees, and revenue collection processes.
Ensure timely and accurate billing and collections from owners.
Develop, document, and enforce accounting policies and procedures.
Strengthen internal controls related to expenses, credit cards, reconciliations, and approvals.
Ensure compliance with accounting standards, company policies, and regulatory requirements.
Identify financial risks and implement mitigation strategies.
Partner with legal and compliance teams to stay current on regulatory changes.
Establish clear escalation paths for financial and compliance issues.
Work closely with Property Management, Asset Management, Leasing, HR, and Compliance teams.
Communicate directly with owners and investors regarding financial matters.
Participate in investor meetings and provide financial insights and explanations.
Support leadership with data-driven recommendations and reporting.
Improve accounting workflows to increase efficiency and accuracy.
Leverage property management and accounting systems to reduce manual work and improve self-service.
Ensure proper system configuration, GL coding, and data integrity.