Property Accountant

Merus•Cincinnati, OH

19h

About The Position

Merus is expanding its finance and accounting team with a Property Accountant role supporting the accounting and asset management teams. The position ensures accurate and timely financial reporting for a large portfolio of company-managed assets. It is suited to a detail-oriented, motivated accounting professional interested in developing within a collaborative real estate environment. The role supports full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, and variance analysis, with exposure to real estate operations and asset management. Team members are expected to take ownership, follow through, and contribute to the success of the company and its projects and partners. The Property Accountant is responsible for the financial aspects of assigned assets throughout their lifecycle, from acquisition and development through operations, disposition, and entity closure. The role prepares financial statements, budgets, forecasts, reconciliations, and analyses; monitors property transactions; supports audits and tax appeals; and performs related accounting for equity funds and the Development segment as needed. The position involves normal office work and occasional observational visits to construction sites.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across departments.
Analytical mindset and ability to interpret financial data and identify variances or issues.
Adaptability to changing processes, systems, and business needs.
Demonstrated accountability, ownership, and proactive problem-solving.
Commitment to continuous learning and contributing to a positive, team-oriented culture.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with strong Excel skills.
Foundational understanding of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP).
Proven ability to use technology to improve process and task efficiency.
Demonstrated initiative to learn, grow, and broaden accounting and industry knowledge.

Nice To Haves

One to two years of accounting experience preferred.
Property or real estate experience is a plus.
Experience with Yardi or similar accounting software is valued.

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 annual budgets, 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 and forecast.
Support year-end GAAP audits for select legal entities.
Perform CAM (Common Area Maintenance) reconciliations, ensuring expenses are accurately allocated to tenants and reconciled against lease agreements.
Maintain timely and accurate bank and balance sheet reconciliations.
Assist with 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 fee expenses 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.