Development Accounting Manager

DEVELOPMENT ACCOUNTING MANAGER

SUMMARY

The Development Accounting Manager manages all financial aspects of real estate development projects from start to finish, including expense tracking, budget analysis, financial compliance, and stakeholder collaboration. 

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of development accountants while providing guidance to third parties (contractors, consultants, and partners) to ensure alignment with accounting policies and procedures.
• Establish team goals, monitor progress, and oversee project budgets, costs, and overall financial performance from development through lease-up, stabilization, and disposition, ensuring deadlines are met and issues are proactively addressed.
• Oversee all aspects of project accounting, including cost tracking, job cost reconciliations, invoicing, payments, and the accurate recording of acquisitions, dispositions, and ongoing operating activity.
• Prepare and review project financials, including development and construction management fee calculations, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with agreements and accounting standards.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and regulatory requirements across all financial activities and reporting.
• Prepare and oversee the preparation and submission of draw packages (lender and equity), ensuring completeness, accuracy, and appropriate supporting documentation.
• Serve as the primary financial point of contact for clients, lenders, equity partners, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with auditors, tax preparers, and stakeholders, and review legal agreements (e.g., development, partnership, and loan agreements) to ensure proper accounting treatment and reporting.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and internal controls, and support special projects and ad hoc initiatives as needed.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years progressive accounting/financial executive roles: construction/real estate development (preferred), large-scale complex projects, senior management/executive leadership.
• Ensure all accounting processes strictly comply with GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) and internal policies, maintaining financial integrity and mitigating risk.
• Demonstrated expert-level attention to detail, accuracy, and a commitment to maintaining the highest level of data integrity. 
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate financial information clearly and concisely to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple priorities, meet tight deadlines, and thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. 
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including the ability to create and utilize complex spreadsheets and data analysis tools. 
• Experience with real estate accounting software such as RealPage (preferred), Yardi, or MRI, with the ability to learn and adapt to new systems.