Accounting Associate, Real Estate Investment Operations (12-month contract)

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board; Toronto; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking organization as an Associate in Real Estate Operations, where you will play a crucial role in supporting investment teams. This dynamic position offers the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment, overseeing transaction management and asset servicing. You will leverage your analytical and accounting skills to ensure accuracy in financial reporting and contribute to strategic initiatives that drive operational efficiency. With a culture rooted in integrity and collaboration, this role promises to be both challenging and rewarding, making a positive impact on the investment landscape for generations to come.

Benefits

Hybrid work environment

Mentorship opportunities

Collaborative culture

Professional development

Access to diverse colleagues

Qualifications

• 5+ years in financial services or real estate investment.
• Strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills required.

Responsibilities

• Support real estate investment teams with transaction management and reporting.
• Lead onboarding of new transactions and monitor cashflows.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Problem-solving Skills

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Attention to Detail

Judgment and Professionalism

Education

Undergraduate degree in business

CPA, CMA, CGA, CFA

Tools

Yardi

Simcorp

Accounting Software

Job description

• Function: Investments

Company Description

Make an impact at a global and dynamic investment organization

When you join CPP Investments, you are joining one of the world’s most admired and respected institutional investors. With more than $600 billion in assets under management, CPP Investments is a professional investment management organization that globally invests the funds of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) to help ensure it is financially sustainable for generations of working and retired Canadians.

CPP Investments invests across regions and asset classes to build a globally diversified portfolio. It holds assets in public equity, private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and fixed income, and the CPP Fund is projected to reach $3 trillion in assets by 2050. The organization is headquartered in Toronto with offices in Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, São Paulo, and Sydney.

CPP Investments successfully attracts, selects, and retains talented individuals from top-tier institutions worldwide. Join our team for access to:

• Stimulating work in a fast-paced and intellectually challenging environment
• Accelerated exposure and responsibility
• Diverse and inspiring colleagues and approachable leaders
• A hybrid-flexible work environment with an emphasis on in-person collaboration
• A culture rooted in principles of integrity, partnership, and high performance
• An organization with an important social purpose that positively impacts lives

If you have a passion for performance, value a collegial and collaborative culture, and approach work with the highest integrity, invest your career here.

Job Description

As an Associate, Real Estate Operations you will support the real estate investment teams with transaction management, asset servicing, investment accounting, reporting and valuations. In this role you will support a regional manager in overseeing the day-to-day operations, accounting, and monitoring of assigned investments in the Real Estate portfolio.

This position requires an individual who’s highly motivated with a strong analytical and accounting background.

Accountabilities:

• Prepare and review daily, monthly, and quarterly accounting entries, reconciliations, and financial reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with internal controls.
• Lead the onboarding of new transactions, including review of partnership agreements, structure changes (e.g. debt refinancing) and execution of dispositions.
• Attend to the asset servicing of existing investments by ensuring capital calls, distributions and commitment updates are appropriately reviewed, approved, and processed in the respective investment systems.
• Monitor and analyze the impact of cashflows and P&L activity on investments returns.
• Responsible to lead complex investments, whilst demonstrating a strong understanding and ability to execute accounting and reporting requirements.
• Support the review of financial statements, note disclosures and management reports to ensure accuracy and completeness, as well as provide valuable insights and commentary.
• Support the quarterly valuation review process; whilst ensuring valuation adjustments are accurately recorded.
• Act as a key point of contact for the investment team, providing strategic insights and ensuring timely responses to inquiries.
• Partner with external investment managers and internal stakeholders to ensure robust reporting and operational support across the portfolio.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration with internal departments to align with CPP Investments’ vision, goals, and values.
• Support the team in developing and enhancing internal controls, refining reconciliations, and improving procedural efficiencies.
• Take initiative in streamlining and automating investment operations processes to enhance efficiency and mitigate operational risks.
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and innovation in investment operations.
• Provide mentorship and guidance to Senior Analysts and junior team members.
• Other responsibilities as assigned, with a focus on strategic initiatives and process optimization.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in business or other relevant discipline.
• Professional designations such as CPA, CMA, CGA, CFA.
• At least 5 years of experience in a related role within the financial services and/or real estate investment industry.
• Experience with Yardi, Simcorp, or other accounting software is considered an asset.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Ability to independently identify issues and determine course of action.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills, with ability to foster effective working relationships internally across the organization and externally.
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize and multi-task whilst ensuring reporting timelines are met.
• Proven attention to accuracy and detail.
• Intellectually curious, self-motivated, flexible, and adaptable in a high performance and deadline-oriented culture.
• Demonstrated good judgment and professionalism.
• Ability to readily adapt to a rapidly changing environment.
• A continuous learning mindset with a desire to learn about CPP Investments business and recommend innovative solutions to business problems.