Senior Lease Accountant
Summary
The Senior Lease Accountant is responsible for managing the company's end-to-end lease accounting process, from lease setup and administration through compliance of lease terms. This role oversees lease classification, measurement, and financial reporting, ensures accurate and timely disclosure of lease-related balances, partners with cross-functional teams on new and amended leases, and supports internal controls, audit, and technical accounting requirements related to the lease portfolio. This position requires keen attention to detail, strong technical accounting judgment, and excellent communication skills, as this individual works across all lines of business.
Job Responsibilities (responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following)
Lease Administration & Portfolio Management
In RealPage Set up building profiles (floors, units, square footage), tenants, leases, and recurring charges for new acquisitions/developments and any lease amendments
Maintain, update, and review leases in RealPage (or successor lease accounting system) to ensure accuracy of fixed rent, percentage rent, and CAM/tax payments in accordance with lease terms and conditions
Prepare lease abstracts upon new lease execution or amendment, and maintain the lease accounting system/software to ensure data integrity
Generate monthly recurring charges, percentage rent charges, utility billings, and any ad-hoc charges as needed, and generate and distribute monthly tenant statements
Oversee posting of tenant payments and generate the monthly AR report for internal review with other departments
Support due diligence related to acquired or divested lease portfolios
Calculate and post any late fees on commercial tenant ledgers
Collect and document monthly, quarterly, and annual sales reports required under tenant lease terms, including calculating and posting associated percentage rent
Calculate and maintain annual CAM reconciliation and obligation letters, taking lead on coordinating and ensuring they are prepared, reviewed and finalized in accordance with internal deadlines and lease documents
Collaborate with other departments to ensure accurate rent rolls, leases, and tenant information
Serve as primary point of contact for external auditors on any lease accounting matters
Prepare audit schedules, PBC items, and technical memos supporting lease treatment positions
Financial Reporting
Prepare and review monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements for a portfolio of properties
Perform accounting functions including month-end close, account reconciliations, equity analysis, and intercompany reconciliations
Conduct financial statement analysis, including flux analyses explaining period-over-period variances, with the ability to identify and resolve potential issues
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Leadership
Partner with Commercial Leasing, Legal, Property Management, and Asset Management teams on new lease agreements and amendments
Identify patterns and problem areas and make recommendations to management on areas of improvement
Assist with process improvement and automation initiatives for lease accounting workflows
Other Duties
Assist with technical accounting research and memo drafting for complex lease arrangements
Take on special projects as needed
Perform other duties as assigned
Performance Objectives
The 7 Core Values established by Crawford Hoying to maintain its desired culture
Willingness to learn a variety of concepts, practices, and procedures
Face-forward interaction and engagement with other departments
Strategic approach to problem-solving, technical research, and troubleshooting
Flexibility in taking on projects
Perseverance in reconciling historical data
Timeliness and transactional accuracy
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, Education, and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required
3+ years of accounting experience, including significant hands-on lease accounting duties
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and multitasking abilities
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, for cross-functional and audit interactions
Results-oriented attitude with a sense of urgency and the ability to manage competing deadlines during close, audit, and reporting cycles
Advanced knowledge of Excel; experience with ERP systems (e.g., RealPage, Yardi, MRI) a plus
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
Demonstrated leadership ability to mentor junior staff and drive process improvement
Work Environment
This individual works at the corporate office and interfaces with external and internal customers on a regular basis. Work hours are typically 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday, subject to the needs of the department. The person in this position must be available to work additional hours as needed during month-end, quarter-end, year-end close, and audit periods.
Physical Requirements
The Senior Lease Accountant's physical condition must be sufficient for the consistent and successful completion of the responsibilities defined for this position. This position frequently requires standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms, and lifting up to twenty-five pounds.
Reporting Structure
The Senior Lease Accountant reports to the Property Accounting Manager.