Assistant Controller

SCHNITZER WEST LLC•Seattle, WA

14h•$120,000 - $150,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Company’s vision, mission, promise, culture, values and goals are at the heart of every decision made. The Company takes pride in and fiercely protects its 5 core fundamental values: Disciplined – Prepare for anything. Anticipate, ask questions and clarify. Own every moment. Don’t run from risk; mitigate it to create value. Keep your eye on the prize while obsessing over the details. Driven – Work with passion and ambition. Be relentless and work with urgency. Bold – Pioneer true innovation and be motivated by the unknown. Thrive in uncertainty to outperform the expected. Authentic – Work without ego and be a doer, not a talker. Be fair but candid and always willing and able to roll up your sleeves. ‘Cowboy Family’ – Be all in with the firm; pushing and protecting each other to achieve greatness and exceed all expectations. Take pride in being a difference maker and for making a material impact. This unwavering focus makes the Company a recognized and well-respected vanguard in the industry and maintains the framework that allows for superior communications, sound and decisive decision making, diversity of thought, and unparalleled business practices, rigor and innovation. General Position Summary: This position is part of the team responsible for assisting in the development of accounting processes, information systems and reporting capabilities to support the diverse and fast-growing business objectives of the company. This includes ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of accounting and reporting for each entity in assigned portfolio; developing a partnership with other departments and managers to improve management tools and financial reporting; developing processes and procedures to enhance cash management; and supporting audit and tax functions. This position is also responsible for the direct management, training, development and evaluation of investment accountants and has indirect responsibility for the management and training of corporate accountants and clerical staff.

Requirements

This position requires a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, specializing in accounting; a CPA and/or MBA would be extremely helpful.
Required experience includes eight or more years of progressive experience in accounting.
Strong computer skills, including Word and intermediate or advanced-level Excel, and a knowledge of YARDI, MRI, or similar accounting software. Knowledge of Argus or similar cash flow analysis software for the real estate industry is helpful.
Good analytical and problem-solving skills and strong detail orientation.
Ability to effectively supervise and mentor staff; set priorities and deadlines.
Strong verbal and written communication skills and excellent interpersonal skills.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to walk, sit and use hands and fingers to handle or feel.
The employee is required to talk and must be able to read.
The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate consisting of usual business office sounds including but not limited to computers, printers, telephones, and light traffic.

Nice To Haves

a CPA and/or MBA would be extremely helpful.
Experience in public accounting is highly preferred.
Ideal candidate would also have at least three to five years in accounting within the construction or real estate industry.
Knowledge of Argus or similar cash flow analysis software for the real estate industry is helpful.

Responsibilities

Supervise and train accounting staff.
Balance workloads and manage overall deadlines. Includes management and balancing of reporting requirements for wholly owned properties, third party owned properties and lender reporting to ensure consistent and timely service is provided to all property management teams, development projects and corporate entities, which requires management of multiple accounting software systems and calendars.
Training of team includes full cross-training to ensure that absences have minimal effect on service.
Ensure that accounting for each entity is accurate by reviewing monthly reporting packages, balance sheet reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and assisting accountants as needed with issues as they are identified.
Identify opportunities for training and best practice implementation within accounting and within other departments.
Review accounting and reporting for accuracy.
Coordinate the distribution of monthly financial reports to ownership, partners, and/or lenders.
Collaborate on a monthly accounting calendar establishing expectation of due dates and financial reporting deadlines for accounting staff.
Work cross-functionally and develop a partnership with other managers to develop/improve management tools and financial reporting, including consistency of monthly financials across portfolios, variance analysis and other tools to respond to requests by managers. Heavy interaction with Senior Investment Directors and Managers regarding investments and activities
Responsible for coordination and facilitation of the multiple annual financial audits and tax return preparation for assigned portfolio.
Responsible for information provided to brokers related to property insurance as needed for assigned portfolio.
Review all capital calls and loan draws for assigned portfolio to ensure accuracy and proper documentation.
Responsible for the accurate calculation and coordination of monthly distributions of available cash flow to owners including calculation and tracking of equity, capital balances and preferred return as required.
Assist in the development of processes and procedures to enhance cash management and respond to changing needs and situations throughout the company. Significant involvement with new design and implementation related to the new property structures including finalizing detailed budgets, adjusting the chart of accounts, developing workable processes for reporting and forecasting, and expenditure requests outside of budget.
Assist in preparation of guidelines and instructions for budgets.
Responsible for review of detailed budgets for assigned portfolio.
Review and resolve complex analysis issues, review and assist team.
Review and analyze current financials for each of the legal entities in assigned portfolio.
Senior level accounting liaison with Schnitzer West third-party accounting contacts for assigned portfolio. Work closely with Investment Managers and Asset Services personnel to ensure client satisfaction with SW Accounting Services.
Proactively identify trends in client reporting and accounting (FASB lease changes, automated A/P solutions, accounting software innovations, budgeting platforms) and communicates/trains as needed.
Participate in new business proposals and presentations as needed.
Review proposed accounting for significant or unusual transactions (such as acquisitions and dispositions).
Help design systems changes and continuous improvements.
Other duties and special projects as assigned.

Benefits

Medical Insurance – Eligible Employees (and their dependents) may choose an HSA or PPO plan through Premera Blue Cross.
Prescription Drug Insurance – Included with each medical plan.
Dental Insurance – Eligible employees (and their dependents).
Vision Insurance – Eligible employees (and their dependents).
Other Insurance – Basic Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance, Short- And Long-Term Disability, Optional Employee-Paid Voluntary Life Insurance.
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DCFSA).
Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
401(k) Retirement Plan including Employer match.
Paid Time Off – Three (3) weeks of PTO accrual with increases based on years of service.
Paid Holidays – Ten (10) paid Holidays per year.