Staff Accountant

Ares Management; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Medical/Rx

Dental and Vision

401(k) with company match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Health Savings Account with companycon

Job summary

Ares Management is seeking a Staff Accountant to join our Property Accounting Team in Chicago. This role supports day-to-day property accounting activities in a high-volume team environment and requires attention to detail and critical thinking.

The position emphasizes accuracy in bills, reconciliations, and reporting, with opportunities to assist budgets and collaborate with property managers and AR/AP staff. Strong Excel and Yardi experience preferred.

Qualifications

• 1–3 years of relevant experience in a high-volume accounting environment.
• Proficiency with Excel and Microsoft Office.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance from an accredited program.

Responsibilities

• Prepare direct bills, late fees, and one-time charges for tenants.
• Maintain an accurate aging report, including application of tenant credits.
• Review cash receipts prepared by Accounts Receivable Specialist daily.
• Work closely with Accounts Receivable Specialist to ensure accuracy.
• Correspond with Third-Party Property Managers regarding property operations.
• Review accounts payable for accuracy.
• Prepare month end journal entries.
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations and bank reconciliations.
• Prepare monthly financial statements and reporting packages.
• Prepare monthly CAM reconciliations.
• Review and prepare yearly CAM reconciliations.
• Assist with yearly budget preparation.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Multi-tasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance

Tools

Yardi

AvidXchange

Job description

Over the last 20 years, Ares' success has been driven by our people and our culture. Today, our team is guided by our core values – Collaborative, Responsible, Entrepreneurial, Self-Aware, Trustworthy – and our purpose to be a catalyst for shared prosperity and a better future. Through our recruitment, career development and employee-focused programming, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment where high-performance talent of diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives can build careers within this exciting and growing industry.

Job Description

The Staff Accountant will be an integral part of our Property Accounting Team. This team is responsible for the day-to-day property accounting functions. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, detail-oriented, comfortable with a team-oriented, high volume environment, able to multi-task, and able to think critically to ensure that key processes are effectively, accurately, and efficiently completed to support our business and team.

Essential Duties

• Prepare direct bills, late fees, and one-time charges for tenants
• Maintain an accurate aging report, including application of tenant credits
• Review cash receipts prepared by Accounts Receivable Specialist daily
• Work closely with Accounts Receivable Specialist to ensure accuracy and completeness
• Correspond with Third-Party Property Managers regarding property operations
• Review accounts payable for accuracy
• Prepare month end journal entries
• Prepare balance sheet reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and other duties as assigned
• Prepare monthly financial statements and reporting packages
• Prepare monthly CAM reconciliations
• Review and prepare yearly CAM reconciliations
• Assist with yearly budget preparation

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of accounting to record accounting entries, analyze and interpret information, and make deductions from varying facts and circumstances required. 1-3 years of relevant experience in a high-volume environment preferred.
• Experience with Yardi and/or AvidXchange preferred.
• A motivated, detail-oriented individual with strong analytical and communication skills is required.
• The ability to multi-task in a highly dynamic environment and meet challenging deadlines is critical.
• Requires the ability to self-manage, independently exercise professional and technical judgment, problem solve and take initiative.
• An aptitude for Microsoft Office applications, including strong Excel skills required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance demonstrating a strong academic record during undergraduate studies required.

Reporting Relationships

Manager, Property Services

Compensation

The anticipated base salary range for this position is listed below. Total compensation may also include a discretionary performance-based bonus. Note, the range takes into account a broad spectrum of qualifications, including, but not limited to, years of relevant work experience, education, and other relevant qualifications specific to the role.

$65,000 - $80,000

The firm also offers robust Benefits offerings. Ares U.S. Core Benefits include Comprehensive Medical/Rx, Dental and Vision plans; 401(k) program with company match; Flexible Savings Accounts (FSA); Healthcare Savings Accounts (HSA) with company contribution; Basic and Voluntary Life Insurance; Long-Term Disability (LTD) and Short-Term Disability (STD) insurance; Employee Assistance Program (EAP), and Commuter Benefits plan for parking and transit.

Ares offers a number of additional benefits including access to a world-class medical advisory team, a mental health app that includes coaching, therapy and psychiatry, a mindfulness and wellbeing app, financial wellness benefit that includes access to a financial advisor, new parent leave, reproductive and adoption assistance, emergency backup care, matching gift program, education sponsorship program, and much more.