Sr. Manager (Real Estate)

SVA Careers•Brookfield, WI

About The Position

SVA is seeking a Senior Manager to join its Real Estate team in Brookfield, Wisconsin. This role leads complex engagements for affordable housing real estate clients, with a focus on Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) entities. Senior Managers are expected to demonstrate a higher level of performance and judgment than Managers, oversee complex work from planning through completion, and review work within their areas of expertise. They also develop, train, and fully utilize staff members and may sign off on simple engagements as assigned. The position combines client service, team leadership, and professional and business development. The Senior Manager serves as a trusted advisor to affordable housing developers, ownership groups, management companies, syndicators, and nonprofit organizations on accounting, tax, and compliance matters. They help expand SVA’s affordable housing and LIHTC services, mentor and develop team members, and contribute to client retention and business growth. The role typically requires 55 hours per week during busy season, including weekends, and 40–45 hours per week during non-busy season. The role is based in Wisconsin.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or a related field.
At least 9 years of public accounting experience.
Significant experience serving affordable housing, real estate, and/or LIHTC clients.
CPA certification.
Deep knowledge of partnership taxation, affordable housing accounting, LIHTC structures, and real estate financial reporting.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with HUD, RD, and state housing authority reporting.

Responsibilities

Lead complex affordable housing and LIHTC audit and tax engagements from planning through completion, coordinating staffing, fieldwork, reviews, and client communications.
Monitor engagement progress against budgets and completion dates, ensure work is properly sequenced, and anticipate issues and questions.
Identify and communicate opportunities for process improvement and system enhancements.
Supervise preparation of client deliverables and keep the In-Charge informed of important developments in the work and client relationship.
Communicate significant problems, supporting facts, conclusions, and recommendations.
Communicate directly with client personnel and third parties.
Advise affordable housing developers, ownership groups, management companies, syndicators, and nonprofit organizations on LIHTC and real estate accounting, tax, and compliance matters.
Identify opportunities to expand affordable housing and LIHTC audit, tax, consulting, compliance, and advisory services.
Prepare monthly billings and maintain confidentiality of client information in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and SVA policies.
Assign work to staff based on their knowledge and capabilities and perform quality control reviews.
Prepare and discuss staff performance evaluations; train staff, provide guidance and direction, and give constructive feedback on work papers.
Support staff performance, engagement, and retention, including conducting stay interviews and working with leadership to address recurring themes.
Transfer client relationships to junior staff as appropriate and address performance concerns while focusing on retaining qualified staff.
Provide individualized recognition and participate in staffing strategy to identify and address staffing needs or capacity.
Use professional networks and experience to recruit talent and promote SVA to prospective employees.
Research complex topics and present findings concisely with recommendations.
Mentor accounting staff and support the professional development and personal growth of team members.
Facilitate professional development courses, write articles, and represent SVA at professional and civic functions.
Deepen technical, industry, or service-line expertise and lead large, complex internal projects.
Achieve client retention targets and new and existing cross-selling and upselling goals.
Perform other duties as assigned.