Real Estate Accounting Manager

The Community Builders, Inc.; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Employer Contributions to Health Savings Accounts

Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance

403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Match

Paid Holidays and PTO

Flexible Spending Accounts

Employee Assistance Program

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

The Community Builders, Inc., located in Boston, is looking for a Real Estate Accounting Manager to oversee a diverse portfolio of affordable housing properties. In this key role, you will supervise a team of accountants, ensure accurate financial reporting, and maintain strong internal controls.

This position requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting, preferably a CPA, and a minimum of 7 years of experience in real estate accounting. Experience with affordable housing is strongly preferred. The role offers a competitive salary of $110-120k.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field required.
• Minimum of 7 years of real estate accounting experience.
• Experience with affordable housing programs preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and develop a team of Real Estate Accountants.
• Ensure accurate financial reporting and strong internal controls.
• Manage a portfolio of complex affordable housing properties.

Skills

Affordable housing accounting

GAAP and real estate accounting principles

Supervisory and leadership skills

Microsoft Excel

Yardi Voyager

Analyzing complex financial transactions

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field

CPA designation

Tools

Yardi Voyager

Job description

About The Community Builders

The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB) is one of America’s leading nonprofit real estate developers and owners. Our mission is to build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive. TCB owns and manages a diverse portfolio of affordable housing communities across the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Midwest.

Position Summary

The Real Estate Accounting Manager is responsible for overseeing a portfolio of affordable housing properties while supervising and developing a team of Real Estate Accountants. This position serves as a key resource to Property Management, Asset Management, Development, Treasury, and Executive Leadership by ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, timely audits, and effective cash management.

The Real Estate Accounting Manager will oversee some of TCB’s more complex properties, including tax credit, HUD-assisted, mixed-finance, and development-to-operations transition properties. This role is expected to provide technical accounting guidance, review the work of staff accountants, drive process improvements, and ensure compliance with lender, investor, regulatory, and organizational requirements.

Essential Functions

• Supervise, mentor, and develop a team of Real Estate Accountants.
• Review staff workloads and ensure assignments are balanced appropriately.
• Provide training, coaching, and performance feedback.
• Assist with onboarding and training of new accounting staff.
• Serve as the primary escalation point for accounting questions and complex transactions.
• Establish and monitor departmental best practices and standard operating procedures.
• Oversee all aspects of the general ledger for assigned properties and accountant portfolios.
• Review journal entries, account reconciliations, and supporting schedules for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure monthly financial statements are completed accurately and on time.
• Review monthly variance analyses and assist with resolving unusual fluctuations.
• Monitor prepaid expenses, accruals, reserves, escrows, fixed assets, and intercompany activity.
• Review and approve recurring journal entries.
• Oversee cash management activities for assigned portfolios.
• Review cash availability and assist staff with payment prioritization.
• Review wire transfers, reserve releases, and other treasury-related transactions.
• Assist with oversight of mortgage, escrow, insurance, tax, utility, and other recurring payments.
• Ensure replacement reserve, operating reserve and security deposit accounts are properly funded and reconciled.
• Manage a portfolio of complex affordable housing properties.
• Support development-to-operations transitions and property acquisitions/dispositions.
• Review property operating performance and identify financial concerns.
• Partner with Property Management and Asset Management to resolve accounting and operational issues.
• Coordinate annual audit preparation and review audit workpapers.
• Review audit schedules prepared by staff accountants.
• Assist with responses to auditors, investors, lenders, and regulatory agencies.
• Support annual operating budgets and reforecasts.
• Review financial reporting required by lenders, investors, housing authorities, and government agencies.
• Identify opportunities to improve accounting processes and internal controls.
• Assist with implementation and enhancement of Yardi modules and accounting workflows.
• Participate in system testing, upgrades, and accounting process automation initiatives.
• Develop and maintain accounting procedures and training materials.
• Serve as a primary accounting contact for Property Management, Asset Management, Development, Treasury, and external stakeholders.
• Provide a high level of customer service while ensuring adherence to accounting policies and procedures.
• Participate in special projects and strategic initiatives as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of affordable housing accounting and property management operations.
• Advanced understanding of GAAP and real estate accounting principles.
• Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Experience with Yardi Voyager required.
• Ability to analyze complex financial transactions and identify solutions.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across departments.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or related field required.
• CPA designation preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 7 years of real estate accounting experience.
• Minimum of 3 years of supervisory experience.
• Affordable housing experience strongly preferred, including knowledge of LIHTC, HUD, Section 8, HOME, and other affordable housing programs.
• Experience managing complex portfolios and staff accountants preferred.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employer Contributions to Health Savings Accounts
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance
• 403(b) Retirement Plan with Company Match
• Paid Holidays and PTO
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Pay Rate: $110‑120k

The Community Builders is an equal opportunity employer.