Fund Accounting Director

CBRE; Illinois; On-site; USD 160,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

CBRE is seeking a Fund Accounting Director in the United States to lead a team of accountants, directing fund accounting activities across portfolios and ensuring accurate financial reporting.

You will review statements, manage capital requests, fund structuring, budgets, and audits, partnering with CBRE clients and internal teams to optimize operations and drive performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• 8–12 years of accounting experience required.
• Experience with complex real estate open-ended funds, including consolidation, joint ventures, multi-jurisdictional structures.
• Strong GAAP and FASB knowledge.
• Ability to read LPAs and guide CBRE accounting teams.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management.

Responsibilities

• Review fund financial statements and provide strategic insights.
• Oversee budgeting, capital requests, and contract reviews.
• Manage fund structuring, subscriptions, and redemption terms.
• Ensure timely, high‑quality reporting under US GAAP.
• Lead automation and control improvements of operating model.
• Coordinate year-end audits and tax processes.
• Supervise and develop staff; recruit and hire.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Real estate accounting

GAAP knowledge

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

Tools

Yardi

Job description

As a CBRE Fund Accounting Director, you will be responsible for overseeing the strategic direction and execution of fund accounting activities. You will manage a team of accountants and ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting for assigned portfolios.

What You'll Do:

• Review fund financial statements and provide strategic insights and analysis. Assess financial performance, provide a forward-looking perspective, and offer strategic advice to the client management team.
• Manage capital requests and budgeting processes, including reviewing new contracts and business opportunities. May oversee multiple transactions of varying complexity.
• Oversee fund structuring, including set-up and ongoing maintenance, joint venture structuring, related inquiries, subscriptions, and redemption terms and conditions.
• Ensure the delivery of high-quality work products and consistently meet deadlines. Serve as a subject matter expert in real estate and/or debt accounting under U.S. GAAP.
• Implement best practices through automation and effective controls, while continuously optimizing the operating model.
• Serve as a subject matter expert in consolidation, income allocation, and financial statement reporting.
• Manage portfolio budgets, forecasts, and reports for clients and investors.
• Act as a liaison and strategically build relationships with key internal partners across CBRE departments, as well as external stakeholders, including clients and third-party service providers.
• Coordinate year-end audit and tax processes to ensure efficient execution and enhance client experience. Collaborate internally to address special requirements as defined in the Management Agreement and scope of services under the Financial Services Agreement.
• Provide formal supervision to employees. Monitor the training and development of staff. Conduct performance evaluations and coaching. Oversee the recruiting and hiring of new employees.
• Coordinate and manage the team's daily activities. Establish work schedules, assign tasks, and cross-train staff. Set and track staff and department deadlines. Mentor and coach as needed.
• Significantly improve and change existing methods, processes, and standards within job discipline.

What You'll Need:

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and 8-12 years of accounting experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• Prior experience with complex real estate open-ended funds, including consolidation, non-controlling interests, joint ventures, and multi-jurisdictional structures.
• Deep knowledge of real estate accounting software; Yardi experience is a plus.
• Expertise in Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) regulations.
• High level of confidence in reading and interpreting Limited Partnership Agreements (LPAs) and providing guidance to CBRE accounting teams and clients.
• Ability to multitask, prioritize effectively, and ensure multiple deadlines are met.
• Strong communication, coordination, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in the areas of staffing, selection, training, development, coaching, mentoring, measuring, appraising, and rewarding performance and retention is preferred.
• Ability to lead the exchange of sensitive, complicated, and difficult information, convey performance expectations, and handle problems.
• Leadership skills to motivate the team to achieve broad operational targets with impacts on own job discipline, multiple job disciplines, and department.
• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Examples include Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
• Expert organizational skills and an advanced inquisitive mindset.
• Ability to identify and solve technical and operational problems of complexity.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders and leaders to ensure objectives are being met.

CBRE carefully considers multiple factors to determine compensation, including a candidate’s education, training, and experience. The minimum salary for this position is $160,000 annually and the maximum salary for this position is $180,000 annually. The compensation that is offered to a successful candidate will depend on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience. Successful candidates will also be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on CBRE’s applicable benefit program.

Why CBRE

When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values — respect, integrity, service and excellence — and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you can chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.

Our Values in Hiring

At CBRE, we are committed to fostering a culture where everyone feels they belong. We value diverse perspectives and experiences, and we welcome all applications.

Disclaimers

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.

About CBRE Group, Inc.

CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE), a Fortune 500 and S&P 500 company headquartered in Dallas, is the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm (based on 2024 revenue). The company has more than 140,000 employees (including Turner & Townsend employees) serving clients in more than 100 countries. CBRE serves clients through four business segments: Advisory (leasing, sales, debt origination, mortgage serving, valuations); Building Operations & Experience (facilities management, property management, flex space & experience); Project Management (program management, project management, cost consulting); Real Estate Investments (investment management, development). Please visit our website at www.cbre.com.