Senior Accountant

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

medical

dental

vision plans

401(k) employer match

paid vacations

holidays

sick time

Job summary

Equity LifeStyle Properties, Inc. is hiring a Senior Accountant – Specialized Accounting in Chicago, IL.

This role focuses on accounting for utilities and real estate tax expenses across the property portfolio, with heavy interaction across property and corporate accounting, external providers, and FP&A. The position requires strong GL experience, balance sheet reconciliations, and the ability to analyze variances for leadership.

Qualifications

• Strong ledger, month-end close and reconciliations experience.
• Experience with accrual accounting and financial statement review.
• Analytical mindset with ability to explain variances to leadership.
• Vendor management and cross-department collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform accounting for utilities and real estate tax expenses across the property portfolio.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, and bank deposits.
• Conduct balance sheet reconciliations, including complex cash and accrual accounts.
• Support quarterly and annual financial reporting and audits.
• Assist with quarterly reviews and annual audits.
• Ensure expenses are accurately recorded and reported.
• Coordinate with third-party service providers handling bill payments.
• Prepare monthly variance analyses and explain fluctuations to senior management.
• Identify process improvements and drive operational efficiencies.

Skills

General ledger

Month-end close

Reconciliations

Accrual accounting

Financial statement analysis

Vendor management

Excel

Variance analysis

Communication

Tools

Excel

Job description

ELS is hiring for the position of Senior Accountant – Specialized Accounting in Chicago, IL.

What you’ll do:

The Senior Accountant – Specialized Accounting will primarily be responsible for performing the accounting of utilities and real estate tax expenses for our entire portfolio of properties. This position has significant interaction with property and corporate accounting, third-party service providers, operations management, and members of the financial planning and analysis team.

The position goes beyond traditional accounting. In addition to preparing entries and reconciliations, the individual is expected to:

• Own accounting for significant utility and real estate tax expenditures.
• Manage external service provider relationships.
• Perform meaningful financial analysis for leadership.
• Drive process improvements, cost savings, and operational efficiencies.

This makes it a good fit for someone who enjoys both technical accounting and operational problem-solving, rather than a purely transactional accounting role.

• Perform all aspects of accounting for utility and real estate tax expenses across the property portfolio.
• Prepare journal entries, accruals, and bank deposits.
• Perform balance sheet reconciliations, including complex cash and accrual accounts.
• Support quarterly and annual financial reporting requirements.
• Assist with quarterly reviews and annual audits.
• Ensure expenses are accurately recorded and reported.
• Work closely with the third-party service providers responsible for bill payments.

Analysis & Business Partnership

• Prepare monthly variance analyses comparing actual results to budget, forecast, and prior year.
• Provide clear explanations of significant fluctuations for senior management.
• Identify and recommend enhancements to policies, procedures, and existing processes.
• Help improve accuracy, efficiency, and internal controls.

Skills and Experience Needed

• Strong general ledger and month-end close experience.
• Advanced account reconciliation skills.
• Experience with accrual accounting and financial statement review.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to manage vendor relationships and coordinate across departments.
• Excellent Excel skills and experience analyzing large data sets.
• Strong communication skills for presenting financial results and variance explanations.

In return for your excellent skills and abilities, we offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• medical
• dental
• vision plans
• a generous 401(k) employer match
• paid vacations
• holidays
• sick time

We invite you to visit our web site at www.equitylifestyleproperties.com for additional information regarding our exceptional resort communities.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome and thank all applicants.

Estimated compensation for this position: