Escrow Specialist

Compass; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 37,195 - 41,328; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Incentives

Paid vacation

Holidays

Sick leave

Parental leave

Recharge leave

Medical

Telehealth

Dental/Vision

401(k)

FSAs

Commuter program

Life/Disability insurance

Maven

Carrot

UrbanSitter

EAP

Pet insurance

Job summary

Compass is hiring an Escrow Specialist in Chicago to manage day-to-day escrow and commission payments within our Transaction Management team. You will interact with agents, handle funds, and support reconciliations and audits. Hybrid work requires visiting Lincoln Park and other IL offices as needed.

The role emphasizes accuracy, strong communication, and cross-team collaboration to ensure smooth closings and reliable financial reporting. Prior real estate exposure is a plus.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in accounting or payroll functions.
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong written, quantitative, and verbal skills.
• Proficient in Excel and Google Suite.
• Impeccable attention to detail and solid customer service instincts.
• Prior experience in real estate is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Reconcile, allocate, and release escrow and commission payments.
• Daily maintenance of escrow activities, including funds management, reconciliations.
• Process outgoing 3rd party payments (Pass-Throughs) for sales and rentals.
• Provide support to agents in inquiries about 3rd party payments.
• Request stop payments on agent commission checks and process wire payments.
• Collaborate with accounting on reconciliations and monthly analytics.
• Assist Accounting with inquiries impacting monthly financial statements.
• Support annual financial and compliance audits.
• Provide support to agents on commission payouts, deductions, and calculations.
• Perform special projects as assigned.
• Collaborate with Product & Engineering to improve the real estate transaction system.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

Attention to detail

Time management

Customer service

Accounting/payroll experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Excel

Google Suite

Job description

At Compass, our mission is to help everyone find their place in the world. Founded in 2012, we’re revolutionizing the real estate industry with our end-to-end platform that empowers residential real estate agents to deliver exceptional service to seller and buyer clients.

As an Escrow Specialist, you will be an integral member of our dynamic and growing Transaction Management team and will assume responsibility for multiple processes as related to the end-to-end processing of our real estate transactions. You will play a critical role in the day-to-day operations of the company, interacting daily with agents and collaborating with our Finance and Accounting team.

The primary focus of the position will be to administer the day-to-day aspects of our escrow account, including incoming and outgoing funds, processing intercompany transfers, investigating account discrepancies, processing outgoing third party payments and managing the related customer service aspects. Additional responsibilities may include providing support in commission payment processing, compliance document auditing, and coordinating with the other teams regarding reconciliation of end-of-the month financial reports.

*This position is required to work out of the following Compass offices located in Lincoln Park, one day, every other week, and expected to visit other IL offices occasionally for special events if needed. Compass values in-person connection. While this department is currently working within a hybrid attendance policy, we ask employees to prioritize visiting local offices where they may find value in connecting with their colleagues and customers in person more regularly. You will be expected to comply with your department’s schedule, as outlined by your hiring manager. Please note that the department's current policy is subject to change in the future.

At Compass You Will:

• Reconcile, allocate, and release escrow and commission payments.
• Responsible for the daily maintenance of escrow activities, including funds management (incoming and outgoing), resolution of account discrepancies, as well as account reconciliations.
• Process outgoing 3rd party payments (Pass-Throughs) as per our agents’ requests in relation to sales and rental closings.
• Provide support to agents in response to inquiries regarding 3rd party payments (Pass-Throughs).
• Request stop payments on agent commission checks and process wire payments when necessary.
• Collaborate with the accounting team on the account reconciliations as well as the monthly analytics.
• Assist the Accounting team to research and respond to inquiries impacting the monthly financial statement.
• Support with the annual financial audit and compliance audit requirements
• Provide support to Agents in response to inquiries regarding commission payouts, deductions, and commission calculations
• Perform special projects as assigned
• Collaborate with the Product & Engineering Team to help us build a better real estate transaction system.

What We Look For:

• B.A. or B.S. degree preferred
• 3+ years of experience, in an accounting or payroll function
• Strong teamwork skills and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong written, quantitative, and verbal skills
• Proficient in Excel and Google Suite
• Impeccable attention to detail and solid customer service instincts
• Prior experience in real estate is preferred

Compensation: The base pay range for this position is $27 - $30 per hour; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Bonuses and restricted stock units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a full range of benefits. Base pay is based on market location. Minimum wage for the position will always be met.

Perks that You Need to Know About:

• Participation in our incentive programs (which may include eligible cash, equity, or commissions).
• Plus paid vacation
• holidays
• sick time
• parental leave
• and recharge leave
• medical
• tele-health
• dental and vision benefits
• 401(k) plan
• flexible spending accounts (FSAs)
• commuter program
• life and disability insurance
• Maven (a support system for new parents)
• Carrot (fertility benefits)
• UrbanSitter (caregiver referral network)
• Employee Assistance Program
• and pet insurance

Do your best work, be your authentic self.

At Compass, we believe that everyone deserves to find their place in the world - a place where they feel like they belong, where they can be their authentic selves, where they can thrive. Our collaborative, energetic culture is grounded in our Compass Entrepreneurship Principles and our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, growth and mobility. As an equal opportunity employer, we offer competitive compensation packages, robust benefits and professional growth opportunities aimed at helping to improve our employees' lives and careers.

Notice for California Applicants

Los Angeles County Fair Chance Notice