Property Accountant

Merus•Cincinnati, OH

About The Position

Merus is expanding its finance and accounting team with a Property Accountant to support the accounting and asset management teams by ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting for a large portfolio of company-managed assets. The role supports full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, and variance analysis, with exposure to real estate operations and asset management. It is intended for a detail-oriented, motivated professional seeking to grow their accounting career in a collaborative environment. Merus describes itself as an employee-owned company where team members take responsibility, follow through, and contribute to the success of projects, partners, and the business. The position covers assigned assets throughout their lifecycles, including acquisition, development, operations, disposition, and entity closure. It also includes property-level accounting, budgeting and forecasting, tenant reconciliations, audit support, property tax appeal analysis, fund reporting, and support for the Development segment as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Excel.
Foundational understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
Ability to organize work and manage multiple priorities effectively.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Analytical ability to interpret financial data and identify variances or issues.
Adaptability to changing processes, systems, and business needs.
Accountability, ownership, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Commitment to continuous learning and contributing to a positive, team-oriented culture.
Ability to use technology to improve process and task efficiency.
Ability to perform the listed physical activities, including using a keyboard and monitor, communicating verbally, and lifting up to 35 pounds without assistance.
May require some travel by car.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of accounting experience is preferred.
Property or real estate experience is a plus.
Experience with Yardi or similar accounting software is valued.
Demonstrated initiative to learn, grow, and broaden accounting and industry knowledge.

Responsibilities

Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for multiple properties in accordance with the applicable accounting basis (GAAP or Tax) and company policies.
Own the financial aspects of assigned assets throughout their lifecycle, including acquisition, development, operations, disposition, and entity closure.
Maintain property-level general ledgers, including recording journal entries, accruals, and adjustments.
Prepare and review balance sheets, income statements, and cash flows; provide variance analysis for multiple assets.
Prepare annual operating budgets and forecasts for assigned properties in collaboration with the asset management team.
Review monthly financial reporting and cash flow forecasts against the annual budget, and present financial highlights and variance analysis to the leadership team.
Monitor tenant accounts receivable and accounts payable for accuracy and timeliness, and ensure transactions are recorded correctly.
Analyze property financial performance and explain variances against budget or forecast.
Support year-end GAAP audits for select legal entities.
Perform CAM reconciliations, allocating expenses to tenants and reconciling them against lease agreements.
Maintain timely and accurate bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
Assist in preparing documentation and analysis for property tax appeals, ensuring compliance with local tax regulations and helping optimize property tax expenses.
Calculate and process development, asset management, management, and other fees for the respective recipients.
Perform quarterly accounting and related reporting for industrial equity funds.
Assist with accounting for Merus’s Development segment as needed.
Perform other reasonably related business duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor or management.