Manager, Property Accounting

Core Spaces•Chicago, IL

About The Position

The Property Accounting Manager is responsible for the oversight, accuracy, and timely delivery of property-level financial reporting and accounting operations across a portfolio of real estate assets. This role serves as a key leader within the accounting organization, overseeing month-end close activities, financial statement reviews, budget-to-actual analysis, third-party accounting relationships, and compliance with company accounting policies and GAAP. The Property Accounting Manager is accountable for ensuring the integrity of financial information used by internal stakeholders, ownership groups, lenders, and investment partners while driving consistency, accuracy, and operational efficiency across the property accounting function. Reporting to senior accounting leadership, this position provides leadership to internal and third-party accounting teams, establishes and maintains accounting controls, identifies financial reporting risks, and develops solutions to improve processes and reporting quality. The Property Accounting Manager partners closely with Asset Management, Operations, Finance, Development, and Executive Leadership to support business decisions, portfolio performance analysis, acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic initiatives. Success in this role requires strong technical accounting knowledge, leadership capabilities, analytical thinking, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving real estate environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
8 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience within real estate, property accounting, multifamily, student housing, commercial real estate, or a related asset class.
1 to 3 years of direct leadership, supervision, or team management experience.
Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting principles.
Experience overseeing month-end close processes, financial statement review, account reconciliations, and general ledger management.
Demonstrated experience reviewing and analyzing complex accounting transactions and financial results.
Experience partnering with operations, asset management, finance, and executive stakeholders.
Proven ability to identify process improvements, implement solutions, and drive operational efficiencies.
Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

Nice To Haves

Student housing, multifamily, hospitality, commercial real estate, or other institutional real estate sectors.
Acquisitions, dispositions, purchase accounting, and portfolio transitions.
Working with third-party accounting providers and outsourced accounting structures.
Advanced proficiency with Yardi, Entrata, or similar property management and accounting platforms.
Supporting lender reporting, joint venture reporting, or institutional ownership structures.
CPA designation or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

Responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of property accountants and third-party accounting professionals, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and development plans.
Provide ongoing coaching and technical guidance to ensure consistency in accounting practices, financial reporting quality, and adherence to internal deadlines.
Manage workload allocation, resource planning, and team priorities to support accurate and timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements.
Serve as a trusted technical resource for accounting guidance, interpretation of company policies, and resolution of complex accounting matters.
Promote consistency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the property accounting functions.
Oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for the property portfolio, ensuring financial statements are accurate, complete, and delivered within established timelines.
Review financial statements, supporting schedules, reconciliations, journal entries, and account analyses prepared by internal or third-party accounting teams.
Analyze financial results and reporting trends to identify unusual activity, potential errors, operational concerns, or opportunities for improvement.
Ensure all financial reporting complies with GAAP, company policies, partnership agreements, lender requirements, and other reporting obligations.
Coordinate with Joint Venture Reporting, Finance, Asset Management, and other stakeholders to support reporting deliverables and business needs.
Lead budget-to-actual reviews, variance analysis, and financial trend reporting across the property portfolio.
Partner with Asset Management and Property Operations leaders to improve financial performance and resolve accounting-related matters.
Identify potential risks, operational challenges, and reporting inconsistencies while developing and monitoring corrective action plans.
Support executive leadership with ad hoc financial analysis, portfolio performance reporting, and strategic initiatives.
Oversee general ledger activity, account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules to maintain the integrity of financial information.
Identify control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, or reporting risks and implement solutions that improve accuracy, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
Review and approve accounting transactions related to revenue recognition, reserves, accruals, prepaid expenses, debt activity, intercompany balances, and other complex transactions.
Assist with audit requests and support both internal and external audit activities as needed.
Lead accounting integration activities associated with acquisitions, dispositions, portfolio transitions, and ownership structure changes.
Review purchase accounting entries, opening balance sheet activity, disposition accounting, settlement statements, and re-proration calculations.
Ensure acquired and disposed assets are accurately reflected within financial systems and reporting packages.
Coordinate with Legal, Asset Management, Development, Finance, and external parties to support transaction execution and accounting compliance.
Analyze and resolve complex accounting matters associated with acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, and capital events.
Oversee the preparation, review, and distribution of recurring financial reporting packages required by lenders, ownership groups, investors, and joint venture partners.
Ensure reporting obligations are fulfilled in accordance with loan agreements, partnership agreements, and investor requirements.
Coordinate the collection and validation of supporting financial information required for compliance reporting and covenant monitoring.
Serve as a key point of contact for accounting-related requests from lenders, partners, auditors, and other external stakeholders.
Lead efforts to enhance accounting processes, reporting workflows, system utilization, and operational efficiencies across the portfolio.
Develop, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures, accounting policies, process documentation, and best practice guides.
Champion automation opportunities and technology enhancements that improve reporting accuracy, consistency, and scalability.
Participate in system implementations, integrations, conversions, and other transformational initiatives impacting property accounting operations.
Support special projects and strategic initiatives assigned by leadership.
Occasional travel may be necessary as needed.
Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned by management.
Must be able to complete all physical requirements of this role with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Benefits

A culture that provides you with a sense of belonging
Competitive pay that values your contributions
Incentives designed to reward your achievements
Paid flexible PTO to disconnect or celebrate life milestones
Paid 14+ holidays, including your birthday, to disconnect and celebrate
Paid Parental Leave that begins after 90 days
Paid volunteer time off to give back to your community
Monthly workshop weeks; fewer meetings & more collaboration
Robust health plan options that begin within at least 30 days of your employment
Monthly phone reimbursement
Wellness allowance and perks, including a yearly subscription to a meditation app
An environment that provides you a voice to share your perspectives
Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for access to confidential support services
Company retirement options including 401(k) + matching & Roth account option