Real Estate, Senior Fund Accountant (DCS)

Petra Funds Group • Chicago, IL

7d • $102,000 - $153,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Real Estate Senior Fund Accountant reviews and reconciles property-level accounting, reporting, and reconciliations across a national portfolio of affordable housing assets held through client joint ventures. The role reports to the Fund CFO, has a dotted line to the Real Estate Asset Management team, and oversees property-level work performed by the firm’s third-party administrator. It works closely with joint venture partners, property management teams, and asset management staff to deliver timely, accurate financial information. Property financials are reviewed and normalized by the fund’s administrator before being rolled up to the fund level.

This role offers work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where precision, curiosity, organization, and teamwork drive success. It also supports technology and process improvements, quarterly reviews and audits, and the development of consistent property-level accounting procedures and reporting.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.
• 3–6 years of accounting experience in real estate.
• Experience working with third-party property managers and joint venture partners.
• Strong understanding of GAAP and property-level financial statements.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Clear and professional communication style.
• Collaborative mindset and ability to work cross-functionally with property management, asset management, and fund accounting partners.
• Interest in affordable housing and impact-oriented investment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in affordable housing, multifamily, or mixed-income real estate.
• Familiarity with NCREIF industry guidelines and performance return calculations.
• Experience with Power BI, Power Query, or Alteryx.
• Familiarity with Yardi, MRI, and comparable accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Review normalized financials prepared by the fund administrator against property-generated financials, investigate differences, and address mapping discrepancies, accounting-method differences, and errors.
• Support the integration and enhancement of technology tools to improve automation and data quality.
• Prepare and review monthly and quarterly property-level financial statements for assets held in joint ventures.
• Review journal entries, accruals, and adjustments for compliance with GAAP.
• Review general ledgers and trial balances for property-level entities.
• Track property operating cash flows, reserves, and distributions.
• Review distribution calculations and partner with internal teams to approve fund distributions.
• Coordinate with property management teams to reconcile operating accounts and resolve accounting discrepancies.
• Work directly with the third-party fund administrator on monthly property-level reconciliations.
• Review budget-to-actual differences for accuracy and completeness.
• Provide property-level financial data for fund-level reporting and investor deliverables.
• Ensure consistency between property and fund accounting records.
• Support the Fund Controller and Fund CFO with quarterly review and audit processes.
• Assist in developing and standardizing property-level accounting procedures and reporting templates.
• Support system and process enhancements, including tools such as Yardi, MRI, or other accounting systems.
• Maintain accurate and organized accounting documentation for all assets.

Benefits

• 90% covered medical, dental, and vision insurance premiums.
• Employer-funded Health Savings Account contributions up to the IRS maximum for employees enrolled in the high-deductible health plan; amount prorated for new hires.
• 401(k) employer match of 100% of contributions up to 5% of compensation, with immediate vesting.
• Flexible paid time off.
• Generous holiday calendar.
• Hybrid work environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior