Manager, Accounting & Operations

Overview

Korn Ferry is representing this opportunity on behalf of our client - a Family Office & Owner Operator of Commercial Real Estate.

We are seeking a Manager, Accounting & Operations to join a boutique real estate company and family office in Chicago, Illinois. This position will have a dynamic role that will include accounting, financial modeling and management functions. The position will involve accounting across the active wholly owned portfolio, partnership interests and development projects, acquisition and development analysis and overall real estate management.

The ideal candidate will be exposed to all aspects of our real estate business, touching all the keys to managing a successful real estate portfolio. In addition, this position offers the unique opportunity to be exposed to a family office environment and the interesting and diverse aspects of managing family wealth.

Key Responsibilities

• Accounting and Bookkeeping : Oversee third-party accounting functions. Review and reconcile monthly property reporting packages prepared by accountants. Review and approve monthly rent statements and property invoices. Prepare annual budgets and monitor property financial performance throughout the year. Participate in review of annual CAM and tax reconciliations. Assist with annual third-party audit review. Prepare financial statements for company investments. Respond to tenant financial inquiries. Review and track joint venture performance.
• Real Estate Acquisition Assistance: Review Offering Memorandums and prepare financial models. Participate in property analysis and acquisitions decisions.
• Real Estate Development Assistance : Participate in pre-development and construction phases of development projects including participation in municipal and preconstruction meetings. Preparation of proforma financials, manage escrows as necessary, oversee review of payment applications.
• Audit Support: Collaborate with auditors in submitting financial statements and compliance documents for annual audits.
• Loan Compliance : Ensure adherence to all loan agreements, tracking requirements, and reporting deadlines.
• Tax Compliance : Assist with information preparation for third party tax preparation.
• Property Tax Appeals : Manage property tax appeal process with legal team.
• Insurance : Manage annual insurance renewals and loss claims.

Skills & Knowledge

• Excellent written and communication skills for interaction with team and external stakeholders.
• Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to multitask and manage workflows across multiple projects.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and familiarity with real estate-specific accounting software (Yardi, MRI, etc.)
• Strong understanding of tax and accounting principles, project-level cost accounting, and treasury management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, CPA preferred
• 5+ years’ experience in public accounting or with a real estate firm
• 3 + years' financial analysis and modeling experience, a plus
• Advanced knowledge of Excel