Property Accounting Manager

As a Property Accounting Manager in our Dallas location, your key responsibilities will include serving as the accounting liaison among various internal departments, reviewing property-level financial reporting, managing cash activities, and maintaining accurate financial records for our portfolio of retail strip centers. You'll also be tasked with identifying inefficiencies and recommending improvements, ensuring that our accounting processes remain streamlined and effective.

To be considered for the Property Accounting Manager role, applicants should have a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field, along with a minimum of five years of commercial property accounting experience. A strong understanding of GAAP and accrual accounting principles is required, as well as proficiency in Yardi and advanced Excel skills to manage and analyze financial reports effectively.

In your role as Property Accounting Manager, you will leverage Yardi to optimize workflow processes by identifying automation opportunities that enhance efficiency. By analyzing current accounting practices and proposing corrections or improvements, you'll ensure that financial reporting is accurate and timely, which significantly contributes to the overall success of our property management operations.

Success in the Property Accounting Manager position hinges on your ability to maintain the integrity of financial records, effectively manage multiple properties, and streamline accounting processes. Delivering precise financial reports and smoothly onboarding new property management companies will also be key indicators of your performance and success in this pivotal role.

The ideal Property Accounting Manager should be proficient in Yardi, specifically its workflow processes, to ensure efficient management of property accounting tasks. Additionally, strong Excel skills are required for data analysis and reporting, while familiarity with Microsoft Word and Outlook is preferred for effective communication.

When answering this question, highlight your background in managing financial reporting for commercial properties. Discuss specific tasks you've handled like analyzing Profit & Loss statements, ensuring compliance with GAAP regulations, and addressing discrepancies in financial documentation.

Demonstrate your organizational and time management skills by explaining how you categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. Mention any tools or methods you use to keep track of deadlines and ensure that all properties receive timely financial attention.

You might explain that your strategies involve thorough data verification processes, regular reviews of financial statements, and cross-collaboration with teams to catch any inconsistencies. Mention how attention to detail is vital to your approach.

Walk the interviewer through your process for identifying discrepancies, including any analytical steps you take to investigate. Discuss how you communicate with relevant teams to propose corrections and ensure future accuracy.

Highlight the importance of clear communication and understanding both your company’s expectations and the property management company’s capabilities. Discuss how you work with these teams to align on processes and provide necessary training on accounting-related inquiries.

Share specific experiences where you've used Yardi for financial reporting, data management, or streamlining accounting processes. Mention any achievements related to increased efficiency or improved accuracy as a result of using the software.

Discuss the various resources you utilize, such as professional associations, continuing education courses, webinars, or accounting journals. Demonstrating your commitment to staying informed shows your dedication to best practices in property accounting.

Illustrate your cash management approach by discussing how you track cash flows, manage distributions, and enforce policies for cash cutoffs. Highlight any specific metrics you keep an eye on to ensure financial health across the portfolio.

Be prepared to talk about a specific challenge, explaining the steps you took to address it. This showcases your problem-solving skills and resilience in handling complex accounting situations.

Connect your personal and professional goals with the values and mission of the company. You might speak about the innovative work or growth opportunities offered by the company and how they align with your career aspirations in property accounting.