The Senior Asset Accountant is responsible for maintaining the books and records for several Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield assets demonstrating full autonomy. The Senior Asset Accountant will be the primary contact for any financial related questions on US GAAP and IFRS asset statements, showing full mastery of financial processes and leveraging 4+ year experience in Finance or accounting.
The Senior Asset Accountant will oversee analyzing monthly/quarterly closing actuals, preparing forecast and budget in close collaboration with the General Manager and the Operating Managers, and applying critical thinking to challenge and enhance business performance. Accounting Responsibilities for the role:
Prepare accurate financial, asset, liability and capital expenditures account entries by compiling and analyzing information using our ERP system (JD Edwards)
Maintain and analyze the general ledger to ensure the accuracy of revenue and cost allocation including accruals and prepayment preparation
Understand and properly apply accounting rules given the circumstances applicable to each asset in US GAAP and IFRS, as applicable, and follow Group guidance
Submit quarterly financial packages to the Group consolidation system (SAP BFC)
Prepare detailed reconciliations between the GL and all subsidiary ledgers.
Perform reconciliations with the aid of automated system (Blackline).
Maintain the fixed assets register
Manage, reconcile and peer review tenant recoveries and allocations (incl common area maintenance and property tax charges)
Prepare monthly and quarterly sales and use tax returns if applicable
Prepare cash distributions to co-investors when required
Support due diligence for strategic transactions such as acquisitions, dispositions, and property secured debt financing if applicable
Show a thorough understanding of real estate accounting issues and their impact on the financial statements
Budgeting & Forecasting
Participate in the annual 5 years budget process and quarterly current year reforecasting for the responsible asset
Excel as a business partner to the Operating Management & Shopping Center Management teams, providing knowledge of the business and economic factors
Interpret and compare variances between budget/forecast and actual results and offer insights to support with the development of action plans
Maintain intimate knowledge of development projects and opportunities for designated centers.
Business Analysis
Assist the business operations teams (Shopping Center Management, Operations Management, Leasing, Development) with diverse Accounting and Finance issues that impact their areas
Explain key operational drivers and related impacts on the financial statements to key managers to help set and strive action plans.
Leverage a thorough understanding of all sources of revenues (fixed and percentage rents, tenant recoveries, parking and commercial partnerships) and special accounting issues relevant to real estate (such as straight-lining of rents and REIT considerations) and their impact on the financial statements to support business understanding and action plan setting.
Think critically and challenge business assumptions, strategies & tactics using KPIs and knowledge of industry trends in order to;
maximize revenue, minimize cost and control capital expenditures.
optimize return on investment,
help business teams reach budgeted targets.
Reporting
Provide data in a way that is consumable and illustrative, where necessary, to explain performance and support decision-making
Responsible for the timely and accurate distribution of monthly/ quarterly/ annual operational and budget reports to co-investors and lenders when applicable.
Prepare annual stand-alone financial statements (US GAAP) and work with the company’s auditors to obtain audit opinions according to strict deadlines
What We Are Looking For
4+ years of accounting and financial expertise (Retail or Commercial Real Estate preferred with general ledger and financial statement experience required
Bachelor’s Degree, preferably in accounting and/or Finance
CPA or equivalent qualification preferred
Demonstrate expertise in ERP, Consolidation and/or BPM systems,
Proficiency in Excel
Strong analytical and general quantitative skills, with an attention to detail
Must be proactive, totally autonomous and able to challenge status quo while having excellent verbal, written communication and presentation skills to interact with senior management.
Change Agent – you must be ready to learn the business needs and requirements and have the ability to quickly adapt when there are modifications or new requirements
Cross-functional translator and facilitator – you must be able to effectively deliver when communicating financial information. You must be able to communicate finance to business and vice versa. This role is both front-of-house and back-of-house
Quick learner who overcomes objections, adjusts on the fly in a fast-paced business, you should have full understanding of processes from the start to the end, and then offer insightful recommendations on how to improve
Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield is an equal opportunity employer that embraces diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, experience and skills. We believe that diversity plays an important part in the success of our business and we are committed to creating an environment which respects, values, celebrates and makes the most of people’s individual differences. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, and other legally protected characteristics.
