The Property Accountant role supports the company’s day-to-day operations and accounting needs related to new and existing leased locations. This position reports to the Associate Director of Property Accounting.
Higher Ground Education is a dynamic environment that prides itself in being responsive to market and strategic changes. All team members are encouraged to be prepared for occasional pivots and reassignments to maximize collective impact in service of our shared mission. The job responsibilities detailed below should not be seen as an exhaustive list but should be expected to evolve in response to the organization’s shifting needs and opportunities.
Key Job Responsibilities
Lease/Property Accounting
- Read/interpret lease documents and purchase agreements, and determine action needed.
- Calculate and communicate rent increases and prorations with Landlords.
- Upload lease/legal documents to MRI/Leverton and/or ProLease, and review data abstraction for accuracy. Coordinate and follow-through with any needed corrections.
- Upload monthly rent bills from ProLease to Sage Intacct accounting system
- Review annual CAM reconciliations prepared by Landlords and ensure adequate support is provided. Work with Landlord to resolve questions. Update recurring bills as necessary.
- Upload rent payment file from ProLease to Sage Intacct. Review and process monthly rent payments, via Wells Fargo CEO ACH portal
- Track and review coming property tax payments. Request payment approvals, and review and process online property tax payments to ensure timely payment.
- Recognize and communicate changes impacting lease accounting with others
- Communicate with landlords regularly via phone and email, both proactively and in response to their questions/issues
- Other general accounting tasks as needed
Month End Close / Year End
- Prepare monthly accruals as needed (rent, CAM, property taxes, etc.)
- Prepare monthly balance sheet reconciliations
- Prepare rent trending analysis to identify possible issues and explain monthly variances
- Prepare audit support and respond to audit requests
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor of Science/Arts in Accounting or related field – or equivalent work experience
- 2+ years of relevant lease/property accounting experience
- Mastery of accounting fundamentals/ability to recognize and apply GAAP
- Strong Excel skills
- Commercial real estate experience a plus
- Experience with ProLease or other lease accounting software a plus
- Experience with multi-entity operations
Skills, Abilities & Competencies
- Strong problem-solving
- Customer service mindset
- Proficiency with computer platforms and applications
- Strong attention to detail
- Ability to multitask and prioritize
- Ability to interact with ease with people of all ages and cultural backgrounds
- Clear and succinct verbal and written communication skills
- Passion and alignment with our mission
