Property Accountant at Summit Properties in South Burlington, VT, USA

Job description

• Summit Properties is seeking an analytical, detail-oriented Property Accountant to join our accounting team in South Burlington, Vermont.
• The Property Accountant owns full-cycle accounting for an assigned portfolio of residential properties and serves as the primary accounting partner to the Community Managers responsible for those properties. This position is responsible for maintaining accurate books, completing a timely month-end close, preparing financial reports and reconciliations, supporting annual budgets and audits, and helping site teams understand and address accounting needs.
• The ideal candidate enjoys understanding the story behind the numbers, researching discrepancies through resolution, and balancing multiple entities and recurring deadlines. This role requires strong accounting knowledge, sound judgment, consistent follow-through, and the ability to communicate financial information clearly to both accounting and non-accounting colleagues.
• BIPOC and LGBTQ applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly accounting cycle for an assigned portfolio, from transaction review through completed financial statements.
• Prepare and post journal entries, accruals, reclassifications, and other month-end entries.
• Reconcile bank accounts, replacement reserves, escrows, accounts receivable, accounts payable, equity, and other balance sheet accounts.
• Review general ledger activity for accuracy, completeness, and appropriate coding, researching and correcting discrepancies as needed.
• Maintain supporting schedules for fixed assets, debt, reserves, and other property-specific accounts.
• Prepare and review management fees, mortgage payments, real estate tax payments, and other recurring property obligations.
• Partner with Community Managers to address accounting needs, research discrepancies, obtain required information, and provide ongoing support.
• Review property invoices, payment activity, deposits, tenant charges, rent schedules, and other accounts receivable activity for accuracy and completeness.
• Research delinquency balances, resident ledger issues, security deposits, and other routine accounting questions.
• Monitor property cash positions and identify upcoming cash needs, funding concerns, or unusual activity.
• Prepare monthly financial packages and balance sheet reconciliations within established close deadlines.
• Review budget-to-actual results and investigate material variances or unusual trends.
• Prepare applicable financial reporting for lenders, owners, and agencies.
• Provide explanations and supporting details for financial results requiring additional review.
• Build annual property operating budgets in partnership with Community Managers and Property Management leadership.
• Assist with financial projections and reforecasts as requested.
• Prepare year-end audit workpapers and supporting schedules for assigned properties.
• Coordinate audit requests, research auditor questions, provide supporting documentation, and record approved audit adjustments.
• Assist with tax workpapers and other year-end reporting while keeping routine property accounting responsibilities on track.

Requirements

• Associate degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or a related field preferred; equivalent accounting experience will be considered.
• At least two years of accounting experience required; property accounting experience is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge of general ledger accounting, balance sheet reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience using accounting or financial management software; Yardi Voyager experience is a plus.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Skills

Required

• Analytical
• Detail-oriented
• Strong accounting knowledge
• Sound judgment
• Consistent follow-through
• General ledger accounting
• Balance sheet reconciliations
• Bank reconciliations
• Month-end close
• Microsoft Office, particularly Excel
• Yardi Voyager (preferred)

Benefits

• Summit provides a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employee health, financial stability, and personal well-being. Benefits include:
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays
• Medical insurance with a significant employer contribution
• Dental and vision insurance
• Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with employer match
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Employer-paid short- and long-term disability coverage
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness days and work-life support resources
• Summit Thrive Benefit, providing reimbursement for eligible activities, experiences, and hobbies that support employee well-being and personal growth
• Salary is commensurate with experience.