SVP/Head of Accounting

Cherry Bekaert•Ashburn, VA

11h•$200,000•Onsite

About The Position

Senior Vice President, Head of Accounting Our exclusive client, one of the Mid-Atlantic's (NoVA region) most respected and renowned real estate companies (property management, leasing, development etc.) is seeking an experienced, accountable and high-caliber accounting executive leader to serve as SVP of Accounting. The SVP will own the full spectrum of accounting and financial reporting for the company – corporate, property-level, and family office - and will serve as the primary internal liaison with the firm’s nationally recognized external accounting firm on all tax matters. The successful candidate will be a technically strong, team-oriented leader who brings credibility, poise, and strategic vision to the finance function, and who is genuinely motivated by the prospect of becoming CFO of a market-leading, entrepreneurial organization. The SVP of Accounting will be positioned as the future CFO of a multi-billion assets under management, market-leading real estate franchise – a role with significant visibility, responsibility, and long-term career equity.

Requirements

Must be an active CPA, or be willing to re-activate CPA license
Offering a BS in Accounting or Finance degree is highly preferred.
Minimum of 12-15 years of progressive accounting experience
Offering of previous public accounting training (audit and/or tax) is preferred.
Demonstrated experience in private commercial real estate accounting, with prior exposure to retail or mixed-use assets strongly preferred (family office or single-owner entrepreneurial is preferred)
Proven experience managing a team (20+) of accounting professionals, including CPAs, Controllers, or Senior Accountants.
Deep knowledge of GAAP financial reporting, partnership/LLC accounting, and real estate-specific accounting matters (lease accounting, CAM reconciliations, purchase price allocations, etc.).
Experience with real estate acquisitions and dispositions, including due diligence support and closing statement review is preferred.
Working knowledge of federal and state income tax compliance for real estate operating companies, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals.
Proficiency in MRI and/or Yardi is preferred.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex financial information clearly to a non-technical executive audience.

Nice To Haves

Prior exposure to retail or mixed-use assets strongly preferred
Family office or single-owner entrepreneurial experience is preferred
Experience with real estate acquisitions and dispositions, including due diligence support and closing statement review is preferred.
Proficiency in MRI and/or Yardi is preferred.

Responsibilities

Direct the preparation of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for the consolidated Rappaport entity, all property-level entities, and related family office holdings.
Ensure compliance with GAAP across all reporting functions; maintain and continuously improve accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls.
Produce comprehensive management reporting packages for owners, including variance analyses, key performance metrics, cash flow forecasting, and capital account summaries.
Oversee the consolidation and reconciliation of multi-entity financial data across a large portfolio structured through various joint ventures, partnerships, and wholly owned vehicles.
Partner with Property Management, Lease Administration, Collections, Development, Leasing, Investor Relations, Information Technology and Financial Services teams to deliver accurate and timely property-level financials, budget-to-actual analyses, and investor/lender reporting packages.
Leverage MRI and Yardi to optimize property accounting workflows, data integrity, and reporting efficiency; evaluate and lead system enhancements as the portfolio evolves.
Oversee the Nexus payables platform to ensure accurate, controlled, and timely processing of all property and corporate disbursements.
Serve as the primary financial reporting contact for the Owner’s family office, maintaining confidentiality and delivering clear, accurate financial statements and analyses for personal investments, entities, and limited wealth management activities.
Coordinate with outside wealth advisors, legal counsel, and the primary accounting firm to support family office financial planning and reporting needs.
Lead the coordination of all federal and state tax compliance activities, including entity-level income tax returns, K-1 preparation, and estimated tax payments, in close partnership with the firm’s nationally recognized CPA firm.
Manage the annual audit/review process and serve as the primary point of contact for external auditors and tax advisors; ensure timely delivery of all supporting schedules and documentation.
Monitor tax law changes relevant to real estate, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals; proactively advise leadership on tax planning opportunities and risks.
Lead, develop, and retain a high-performing accounting team of up to Controllers, Staff and Property Accountants, and supporting accounting staff.
Establish clear performance expectations, provide ongoing coaching and feedback, and build a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional development.
Serve as a senior voice in cross-functional leadership discussions, collaborating with Property Management, Lease Administration, Collections, Development, Leasing, Investor Relations, Information Technology and Financial Services teams to support strategic initiatives, acquisitions and dispositions.
Identify and implement process improvements, technology enhancements, and automation opportunities that increase accuracy and efficiency across the accounting function.
Partner with senior leadership team on financial modeling, scenario analysis, capital structure decisions, debt refinancing, and acquisition underwriting.
Develop a deep understanding of the Rappaport platform, its investor relationships, lender covenants, and strategic priorities to position for a seamless transition to the CFO role.
Assist in the evaluation and integration of acquired properties, including purchase price allocations, lender reporting, and initial accounting setup.