Senior Project Accountant

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan • Eau Claire, WI

21h • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Manager of Project Accounting, the Senior Project Accountant role will support a specialized area of accounting focused on the financial management of rental properties, including recording income, expenses, rent collection, preparing financial reports, leading project audits and other projects and duties as assigned. The position works in concert with General Accounting and Financial Services team members.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in financial accounting and/or auditing experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting is required.
• Strong technical skills in the areas of GAAP accounting, financial reporting, and analysis.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel specifically using v-lookups and pivot tables.
• Ability to investigate issues, apply accounting principles and use sound judgement to make recommendations for solutions.
• Must be proactive and able to follow up on open items to reach a resolution.
• Ability to read, review, and understand financial statements/records and make recommendations as needed.
• Ability to break down accounting concepts and explain information to non-accounting colleagues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including participating in discussions with upper management, executive levels of leadership and/or investors.
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines given a faster paced environment.
• Exceptional work ethic and proper attention to detail are essential to be successful in this role.
• Capable of mentoring colleagues.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer support.
• Talent for effectively collaborating amongst team members and across teams.
• Must comply with agency and departmental policies and regulations.
• Must relate to individuals and families of varied ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages, and economic circumstances with respect and dignity.
• Must support the Mission, Vision and Values of the Agency.
• Valid driver’s license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.
• Ability to communicate both in verbal and written format, effectively and efficiently in job.
• Employee must be able to read and understand English and US Dollar currency.
• Employee must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Employee must be able to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.
• Employee must have the ability to effectively present information to customers, vendors and other employees of the organization.
• Knowledge and proficiency in the use of software and financial applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.

Nice To Haves

• CPA license is a plus, although not required.

Responsibilities

• Meticulously recording all rental income for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, as well as expenses related to property maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, and other operational costs.
• Record construction draws for new project development, if applicable.
• Collaborate with operations team/property managers to resolve issues in tenant subledgers.
• Communicate/collaborate with investors and other external parties regarding project goals or concerns.
• Prepare and record monthly intercompany billing for project payroll expense and other reimbursements and fees.
• Leading HUD and LIHTC audits for assigned properties.
• Complete real estate assessment center (REAC) annual reporting for HUD projects if needed.
• Review entity legal documents such as Operating/Management Agreements to ensure proper adherence to agreements and to set up accounting practices for newly established projects, with consulting support.
• Works in a collaborative team environment, working towards common strategic goals.
• Maintain high ethical standards in financial accounting and reporting.
• Obtain and maintain a thorough understanding of the accounting software, financial reporting and general ledger structure, including consolidated and non-consolidated entities which will involve intercompany and elimination accounting and proper mapping to financial reports and statements.
• Record monthly accruals as needed for each project, as well as proper recording of prepaid expenses.
• Manage the balance sheet including proper adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accounting and oversight of cash.
• Generating financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to provide property owners and stakeholders with a clear picture of the property's financial performance.
• Prepare income statement fluctuation analysis monthly for each project.
• Complete and/or review monthly account reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts.
• Manage banking transactions including positive pay and transfers between restricted and unrestricted cash accounts.
• Maintain proper record of approvals and tracking over allowance for doubtful accounts for tenant past due balances .
• Create and maintain audit trail of all activities involving the general ledger.
• Design, recommend and coordinate implementation of internal control procedures to ensure proper transaction recording.
• Assist in the creation of standardized policies and procedures to support accounting practice within the general ledger that is shared across projects and initiate employee training for changing business requirements.
• Participate in the budgeting process for each property.
• Forecasting future cash flow, including income and expenses.
• Making recommendations to help support profitability of projects.
• Completion of Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax 990 tax reporting, if applicable.
• May proactively assist in the preparation of the LSS consolidated annual financial and single audits, including preparation of schedules and reports.
• Be a resource/mentor to finance team members and demonstrate positivity.
• Be proactive and facilitate project assignments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Our Commitment LSS is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment where all employees are treated with dignity and respect. We proudly support our Mission, Vision, and Values in all that we do.

What This Job Offers

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