Senior Accountant

Lutheran Social Services of WI and Upper MI is currently seeking a Senior Project Accountant to join our team. This is a full-time, benefit eligible, hybrid opportunity with office hours required in West Allis or Eau Claire every Thursday. (Please note: For payroll purposes, all hybrid employees must reside in Wisconsin, Upper Michigan or Minnesota.)

Under the direction of the Director of Accounting the Project Accounting roles will support a specialized area of accounting focused on the financial management of rental properties, including recording income, expenses, rent collection, preparing financial reports and leading audits.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Please identify any position/department specific duties and responsibilities that may not be in the job description:

Accounting:
* Meticulously recording all rental income for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, as well as expenses related to property maintenance, utilities, repairs, taxes, and other operational costs.
* Record monthly accruals as needed for each project, as well as proper recording of prepaid expenses.
* Manage the balance sheet including proper adherence to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) accounting and oversight of cash.
* Complete and/or review monthly account reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts.
* Manage banking transactions including positive pay and transfers between restricted and unrestricted cash accounts.
* Maintain proper record of approvals and tracking over allowance for doubtful accounts for tenant past due balances
* Record construction draws for new project development, if applicable.
* Communicate/collaborate with investors and other external parties regarding project goals or concerns.
* Collaborate with operations team/property managers to resolve issues in tenant subledgers.
* Prepare and record monthly intercompany billing for project payroll expense and other reimbursements and fees.

Budgeting and Forecasting:
* Participate in the budgeting process for each property.
* Forecasting future cash flow, including income and expenses.
* Making recommendations to help support profitability.

Financial Reporting:
* Generating financial reports, such as income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements, to provide property owners and stakeholders with a clear picture of the property's financial performance.
* Complete income statement fluctuation analysis on a monthly basis for each project.

Compliance:
* Review entity legal documents such as Operating/Management Agreements to ensure proper adherence to agreements and to set up accounting practices for newly established projects.
* Leading HUD and LIHTC audits for assigned properties. Complete real estate assessment center (REAC) annual reporting for HUD projects.
* Completion of Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax 990 tax reporting, if applicable.

Perks:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
  
  
  
  • By being employed with LSS, which is a non-profit agency, you can be eligible for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
  • Loans are eligible to be forgiven after 10 years of on-time and consistent payments through the income-based re-payment plan.
  • Assistance navigating the PSLF through Summer
  
  
  
  
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
• Flex Spending for Dependent & Health Care
• Mileage reimbursement
• Paid Time Off
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Ability to Contribute to 403B
• LSS makes annual raises a priority for employees
• Calm Wellness App - Premium Access
• Student loan navigation program with Summer, PBC
• Early Earned Wage Access with UKG Wallet
• Employee Assistance Program
• Service Awards and Recognition

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

Position requires knowledge, skills and abilities typically acquired with 3+ years of experience in financial accounting and/or auditing experience. Knowledge, skills and abilities include:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting is required. CPA license is a plus.
• Strong technical skills in the areas of GAAP accounting, financial reporting, and analysis.

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel specifically using v-lookups and pivot tables.
• Ability to investigate issues, apply accounting principles and use sound judgement to make recommendations for solutions.
• Ability to read, review, and understand financial statements/records and make recommendations as needed.
• Ability to break down accounting concepts and explain information to non-accounting colleagues.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, including participating in discussions with upper management, executive levels of leadership and/or investors.
• Demonstrate flexibility and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

• Exceptional work ethic and proper attention to detail are essential to be successful in this role.

• Ability to assist with mentoring colleagues.
• Ability to provide a high level of customer support.
• Ability to effectively collaborate amongst team members and across teams.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:

The incumbent of this position must have a valid driver's license and have reliable transportation to perform the essential duties of the role; a motor vehicle check (MVR) with a satisfactory driving record per the LSS Driver Safety Procedure is required, and ability to meet LSS auto insurance requirements.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:

Ability to communicate both in verbal and written format, effectively and efficiently in job. Employee must be able to read and understand English and US Dollar currency. Employee must be able to read, analyze, and interpret common technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Employee must be able to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Employee must have the ability to effectively present information to customers, vendors and other employees of the organization.

COMPUTER SKILLS/TECHNOLOGY:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge and proficiency in the use of software and financial applications, databases, spreadsheets, and word processing.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The physical demands and work environment 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 sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, carrying and moving printed records and printer paper. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

The incumbent of this position works in a hybrid environment. Working from home is available for a substantial portion of work time, however, there may be time when it is required to be in the office for team support and meetings and during peak work times. Includes also working in an air-conditioned, office environment. The incumbent will also be exposed to outdoor weather conditions when traveling on company business. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

TRAVEL:

Position does not require regular travel but may be asked to travel on day and overnight trips as necessary.

LSS is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.