Regional Accountant

Equity Residential•Augusta, GA

About The Position

As Regional Accountant you will be responsible for providing accounting support to an assigned portfolio of apartment communities. You will be involved in preparing and reviewing monthly property operating statements, monthly cash and/or bank reconciliations, and various mid-month reconciliations for your assigned portfolio. Many portfolios include a few specialized properties, which will keep the work both challenging and exciting. Expect to be challenged with a variety of assignments, from preparing monthly operating statements and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts. As a Regional Accountant for Equity Residential, get ready to work on a collaborative team and contribute to the greater accounting initiatives of a publicly traded real estate investment trust that’s focused on the acquisition, development, and management of high quality apartment properties in top U.S. growth markets. A focus on Sales and Use Tax ensures company compliance with multi-state tax regulations by preparing, filing, and reconciling sales and use tax returns. The accountant researches tax laws, manages tax audits, handles exemptions, and reviews vendor invoices for tax accruals. Key responsibilities include tax planning, registration, and resolving notices from taxing authorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree preferred (with a business, accounting, or finance focus a plus) as well as 1+ years of accounting experience and demonstrated knowledge of basic accounting principles.
Experience filing for various states and/or general knowledge of state law is preferred.
Must have intermediate skills in Microsoft Word and Excel, plus some familiarity with Google applications.
Detail oriented and well-organized, with an ability to multi-task and effectively prioritize various responsibilities.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to speak and write in a clear and articulate manner.
Team player that demonstrates flexibility and the ability to integrate and work well with others.
Ability to work under tight deadlines without sacrificing quality of work product.
Motivated to succeed with the capacity to assume increasing responsibility.

Responsibilities

Prepare and file monthly, quarterly, and annual state and local sales and use tax returns across multiple jurisdictions.
Reconcile sales and use tax general ledger accounts to ensure accurate financial reporting.
Manage and support sales tax audits by gathering data and defending tax positions.
Research, interpret, and implement changes in state and local tax regulations.
Manage and identify taxable/non-taxable transactions.
Analyze accounts payable invoices to determine correct use tax, if applicable.
Register for tax permits in new jurisdictions.
Respond to tax notices and inquiries from authorities.
Implement process improvements for tax compliance.
Prepare monthly accounting records for assigned portfolio of apartment communities, including monthly appropriating statements, reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, preparing cash/and or bank reconciliations, and reviewing property transmissions.
Maintain supporting documentation, accounts, and records to support proper reporting procedures of tax and indirect returns.
Maintain accurate accounting files for month-end and mid-month reconciliations.
Conduct appropriate research and analyze large sets of data as needed in order to propose and implement improvements in system and process efficiency.
Prepare capital reclass packages, which involves obtaining appropriate approvals and collecting all necessary backup.
Develop and maintain relationships with internal and external partners.
Participate in special projects, as needed.