Development Accountant

Job Description

Job Description

Job Type: Regular full-time
FLSA Status: Exempt
Pay Type: Salary
Compensation: $65,000 - $85,000 annual base salary
Reports To: Assistant Controller
Work Location: LaSalle Plaza – Downtown Minneapolis, on-site
Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8am – 5pm (occasional early mornings, evenings, or special events as needed)

About Hempel Real Estate
Hempel is a commercial real estate firm based in Minnesota with investments across the Midwest. Hempel has experience on every level of real estate transactions, and we specialize in new and adaptive re-use projects. Since 2001, Hempel has acquired and developed more than $1 billion worth of office, retail, multi-family residential, hospitality, industrial, and parking. Hempel Real Estate is a team of hard-working innovators who are passionate about making lives better by making buildings better. We care about more than just providing exceptional commercial real estate services. We work hard to add value to each project.

Our Core Focus
Making lives better by making buildings better.

Our Core Values
Great missions are built on strong cultures – and strong cultures start with shared values. Here’s what we stand for, and what we look for in our teammates:

• We MAKE IT HAPPEN. We solve problems that others can’t. We see opportunities where others don’t.
• We are GRITTY. We possess courage and resolve, showing persistence in the face of challenges.
• We are SQUARED AWAY. Implies everything is in its rightful place, and the situation is well-managed and under control.
• We are INQUISITIVE. We can formulate questions that lead to meaningful and insightful answers.

About the Role
Hempel Real Estate is seeking a highly detail-oriented Development Accountant to join our finance team. This individual will be responsible for providing comprehensive accounting support for real estate development projects from inception through stabilization. This role ensures that project costs are accurately tracked, reported, and analyzed to support sound financial decision-making and compliance with internal and external reporting requirements.

This Development Accountant position provides an excellent opportunity to expand on existing experience with accounting systems and more specifically, commercial real estate accounting. The ideal candidate is highly organized, proactive, resourceful, detail-oriented, and has excellent follow-through. This position reports directly to the Assistant Controller, while fully supporting and working closely with additional finance and accounting team members.

Key Responsibilities (are inclusive of but not limited to)

• Project Accounting
  • Maintain and manage the general ledger for multiple development projects
  • Track and code construction and development costs to appropriate categories
  • Reconcile project accounts and oversee loan draw schedules
  • Assemble and review lender/equity draw packages with required documentation
• Financial Reporting
  • Prepare monthly balance sheet workbook reconciliations for internal review
  • Produce monthly/quarterly financial reports with budget-to-actual comparisons
  • Assist with year-end audit/tax preparation and coordination with external teams
• Budge ti ng & Forecasting
  • Lead the preparation and review of initial project budgets and subsequent revisions
  • Track and assess budget changes, change orders, and contingency use
  • Collaborate closely with senior development managers and executives to maintain accurate forecasts
• Compliance & Controls
  • Ensure compliance with GAAP and internal policies and procedures
  • Assist in building internal controls and documentation for development accounting
  • Assist with special projects as assigned
  • Other duties as assigned

Minimum Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
• 3+ years of accounting experience (1+ years in real estate development or construction preferred)
• Knowledge of GAAP and real estate project accounting
• Strong attention to detail and excellent organizational and time management skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Strong follow-through and ability to take ownership of responsibilities and see tasks through to completion
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to work independently while knowing when to seek guidance
• Highly professional

Desired Qualifications & Characteristics

• CPA (active or inactive) is strongly preferred
• Familiarity with RealPage or similar accounting software
• Highly dependable and resourceful
• Takes ownership of responsibilities, actions, and results
• Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented
• Excellent follow-up and follow-through skills
• Team-oriented

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel occasionally for team events and meetings or collaboration
• Exceptionally self-motivated with the ability to work autonomously
• Proactive communicator across email, verbal, and instant messaging
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must have unrestricted work authorization to work in the United States

Our Benefits Offered

• Medical insurance coverage - covered 90% by employer for the employee
  • HSA-eligible medical plans
• Dental insurance coverage
• Vision insurance
• 401(k) plan - 4% match on a 5% contribution
• Short-term disability insurance
• Long-term disability insurance
• Life insurance
• Accidental insurance
• Critical illness insurance
• Hospital indemnity insurance
• Employee assistance program (EAP)
• Pet insurance
• Unlimited planned paid time off
• Paid company holidays
• Family day
• Free downtown parking
• Class A onsite amenities which include access to:
  • Fitness center
  • Sauna
  • Cold plunge
  • Pickleball court
  • Golf simulators

Hempel Real Estate is committed to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and welcome all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, citizenship, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable law. If, as an individual with a disability, you need reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Human Resources. Hempel Real Estate is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

A note on our hiring process: Hempel Real Estate may use AI tools to assist in organizing and summarizing candidate information during the review process. All hiring decisions are made by humans. AI assistance is never the sole basis for advancing or declining any candidate.