Senior Accountant

Overview 

Fifteen Group is seeking to hire a seasoned and highly competent Senior Accountant. This position is responsible for full cycle accounting functions, for reporting and tax return preparation, as well as coordinating financial reporting with external property accountants. The accountant is in charge of updating and keeping track of all Accounts Payable, Payroll, monthly Accounting Close schedules, reporting deadlines, mortgage payments, and compliance. This role provides support to the Corporate Controller and Chief Financial Officer and is expected to perform ad hoc duties as assigned.

Essential Functions

Accounting Month End Closings – Properties and entities managed internally.

• For properties and entities managed internally, prepare monthly workpapers and run Yardi financial statements within established deadlines. Ensure all balance sheet items and key P&L accounts are appropriately supported in the workpapers.
• Perform Accounts Payable functions.
• Prepare monthly reconciliation of control accounts to subsidiary ledgers.
• Prepare monthly reconciliation of bank statements and mortgage escrow statements and review same.
• Record journal entries for monthly transactions.

Accounting Month End Closings – Third Party Managed Properties.

• For properties managed by a third-party manager (“PM”), assist the Controller to identify any incremental transactions to be recorded each month that were not part of transactions overseen by the PM.
• For cash accounts controlled by FGC internally, but under PM GL control, ensure that any journal entries needed are provided to PM to book for the final close.
• Perform other work as requested by the Controller.

Accounting Year End Closings – Audit and Tax.

• Prepare annual workpapers for both internally and externally managed properties as well as Fifteen Group entities within established deadlines for both auditors and tax preparers. This includes ensuring all bank recs are completed and accurate, reconciling balances to sub-ledgers and ensuring all balance sheet items and key P&L components are appropriately supported in the workpapers.
• Assist the Controller to coordinate delivery of workpapers to the external auditors and tax preparers and liaise as needed in order to meet reporting deadlines.
• As directed by the Controller, prepare any additional schedules, reports, or reconciliations as required by auditors, not included in workpaper package.
• Assist Controller to ensure all year-end audit and tax adjustments are booked timely to the appropriate general ledger.
• Assist Controller to ensure the timely distribution of K-1’s to all K-1 recipients.

Monthly/Quarterly/Annual Non-Income Tax Matters.

• Preparation of Sales tax returns.
• Ensure real estate taxes are paid on time.
• Provide support to the Controller to ensure the timely reporting and completion of personal property tax returns.
• Assist the Controller as requested to oversee CSC as the outsourced vendor for the management of legal entities including payment of their annual fees, annual DE franchise taxes and fees in any other jurisdictions.

Reporting

• Assist the Controller in the preparation of reports for JV partners.
• Assist the Controller in the preparation of reports for lenders and distribute timely in accordance with loan documents. Ensure other lender submission requirements are also complied with. Perform debt compliance calculations.
• Assist the Controller in the preparation of monthly reports for the CFO to create reporting to Owners.

Cash Management

• Monitor cash positions to ensure adequate funds are available to meet operating needs.
• Prepare and track monthly operating funds requests and draws.
• Assist the Controller in the management of the Accounts Payable function.
• Assist the Controller to ensure recurring vendors are paid timely.
• Assist the Controller to create wire transfers for payments to vendors or distributions paid via wire.
• Assist the Controller to set up vendors on ACH.

Other Duties

• Assist with the formation of legal entities with external service provider.
• Various other ad hoc projects and tasks that arise within the Accounting Department.
• Work with vendors to ensure W9 compliance and prepare the requisite annual 1099 forms.
• Reconcile intercompany accounts and manage the process to see intercompany balances cleared timely.

Qualifications

• Accounting Degree required.
• Acute attention to detail and strong organization skills.
• Knowledge of CAM reconciliations a plus.
• Knowledge of tax returns a plus.
• Proficient on Microsoft office products, including Excel (advanced) and Word.
• Yardi and Yardi Payscan.
• Commitment to excellence and high standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to understand and follow written and verbal instructions.
• Versatility, flexibility, and a willingness to work within constantly changing priorities with enthusiasm.

Competencies

• Oral Communication – Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions.
• Written Communication – Writes clearly and informatively; Edits work for spelling and grammar; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.
• Ethics – Treats people with respect; Keeps commitments; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity; Upholds organizational values; Maintains confidentiality.
• Organizational Support – Follows policies and procedures; Completes administrative tasks correctly and on time; Supports organization's goals and values; Supports affirmative action and respects diversity.
• Planning/Organizing – Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Sets goals and objectives.
• Attendance/Punctuality – Is consistently at work and on time; Ensures work responsibilities are covered when absent.
• Dependability – Follows instructions; Responds to management direction; Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Initiative – Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Seeks increased responsibilities; Looks for and takes advantage of opportunities; Asks for and offers help when needed.

About Fifteen Group

Fifteen Group is a real estate-focused private investment firm. Our investment activities focus on opportunity-driven, value-added acquisitions and development projects. We invest selectively in all major real estate asset classes, in real estate-secured debt and in corporate private equity transactions. We take great pride in our entrepreneurial philosophy and expertise in finding opportunities where others see none. We are based in Miami and maintain an office in Los Angeles.