Property Accountant

COPT Defense Properties; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

COPT Defense Properties is seeking a Staff Accountant to support the Portfolio Controller in maintaining GAAP-compliant books for our property portfolio. The role emphasizes internal controls, month-end close, journal entries, and variance analysis to ensure accurate financial statements.

You will partner with Property Management, assist with budgets and forecasts, monitor invoices and A/R, and contribute to SOX controls and due diligence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field is required.
• 1-3 years related accounting experience with strong performance necessary.
• Will consider college graduate with CDP internship experience.

Responsibilities

• Work with Portfolio Controller to maintain books and records for assigned properties.
• Perform assigned month-end close activities of assigned portfolio of properties.
• Propose and/or record monthly journal entries including rental revenue, CAM accrual and direct tenant billings; monthly operating expense contract accruals; and other operating expense accruals.
• Prepare required variance analysis comparing actual against budget and forecasts in current and prior periods.
• Prepare Balance Sheet account reconciliations for review by Portfolio Controller.
• Resolve outstanding items using judgement and discretion as appropriate.
• Ensure internal controls are being maintained.
• Participate in regular recurring meetings with Property Management teams to review financial results, discuss outstanding A/R and to update quarterly forecasts with Property Managers. Collaborate with and provide support to Property Management teams as needed.
• Work with Portfolio Controller to prepare and analyze budgets and forecasts
• Monitor and review purchase orders and pay invoices to ensure timely payment and recording as well as proper coding.
• Participate in the annual operating expense true-up process to ensure accurate billings or refunds to tenants in accordance with the lease requirements.
• Monitors tenant’s accounts for completeness and accuracy.
• Supports Accounts Receivable function in resolving questions/issues.
• Participates in the due diligence process for acquisitions, dispositions or financings which requires an intense effort in a compressed timeframe.
• Participates in maintaining the internal controls and policies of CDP.
• Communicate any deficiencies in controls to Supervisor.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Analytical skills

Technical skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Independent work

SOX knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting

Tools

Microsoft Office

Accounting software

Accounting systems

Job description

Works with the Portfolio Controller in ensuring integrity of financial information for a portfolio of properties in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), company policy and contractual arrangements. Ensure internal controls are in place to mitigate risk of material misstatement of financial statements. This is accomplished by reconciliation, analysis and recordation of various tasks and identified internal control activities within the department. (Portfolio size approximately 25-35 buildings and/or 100 leases, based on complexity).

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

In order of importance, indicate the essential functions of the position and the percentage of time dedicated to each function that accounts for more than 10% of time worked.

Work with Portfolio Controller to maintain books and records for assigned properties.

• Perform assigned month-end close activities of assigned portfolio of properties.
• Propose and/or record monthly journal entries including rental revenue, CAM accrual and direct tenant billings; monthly operating expense contract accruals; and other operating expense accruals.
• Prepare required variance analysis comparing actual against budget and forecasts in current and prior periods.
• Prepare Balance Sheet account reconciliations for review by Portfolio Controller.
• Resolve outstanding items using judgement and discretion as appropriate.
• Ensure internal controls are being maintained.

Participate in regular recurring meetings with Property Management teams to review financial results, discuss outstanding A/R and to update quarterly forecasts with Property Managers. Collaborate with and provide support to Property Management teams as needed.

• Work with Portfolio Controller to prepare and analyze budgets and forecasts

Monitor and review purchase orders and pay invoices to ensure timely payment and recording as well as proper coding.

Participate in the annual operating expense true-up process to ensure accurate billings or refunds to tenants in accordance with the lease requirements.

SECONDARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities

• Monitors tenant’s accounts for completeness and accuracy.
• Supports Accounts Receivable function in resolving questions/issues.
• Participates in the due diligence process for acquisitions, dispositions or financings which requires an intense effort in a compressed timeframe.
• Participates in maintaining the internal controls and policies of CDP.
• Communicate any deficiencies in controls to Supervisor.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Leadership / Supervisory Responsibility

Provides work direction (i.e. leads projects, distributes work, leads daily tasks, etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or related field is required.

Further Training

Professional Experience

• 1-3 years related accounting experience with strong performance necessary.
• Will consider college graduate with CDP internship experience.

Computer Skills

• PC proficiency to include but not limited to) Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and ability to learn company specific software.
• Ability to adapt to new or changing software programs.
• Familiarity with accounting systems required.

Mobility

• Occasional travel to portfolio locations

Other Requirements

• Strong analytical, technical, and interpersonal and communication skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to manage and comprehend multiple and complex business transactions and documents simultaneously with good and possibly independent judgment.
• Must have strong critical thinking skills.
• Must possess solutions-based approach to identified areas of opportunity.
• Must be able to work independently.Must possess a working knowledge of GAAP and Sarbanes Oxley.

EQUIPMENT OPERATION

Equipment

Standard office equipment including PC, telephone, copier, fax machine, printer, etc.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. This job description may be reviewed and modified at any time. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.