Client Accounting Specialist

With more than 225 branch offices across North America, Associa is building the future of community for nearly five million residents worldwide. Our 11,000+ team members lead the industry with unrivaled education, expertise, and trailblazing innovation. For more than 43 years, Associa has brought positive impact and meaningful value to communities. To learn more, visit www.associaonline.com.

Job Description

Associa Chicagoland is seeking aClient Accounting Specialist in our Schaumburg office location to primarily provide accounting and operational support to managers and office leadership. This position may be involved in daily contact with board members and requires individual that is well-spoken, customer service-oriented and can multi-task at a quick pace.

The Client Accounting Specialist is to establish and maintain a professional, service-oriented relationship with the Community Association Managers, other employees, clients, homeowners, vendors, and service providers.

The Client Accounting Specialist is responsible for gathering, analyzing, verifying, and reporting of financial information. The Client Accounting Specialist may be responsible for hiring, training, and coaching subordinates, as well as enforcing corporate company policies, rules, and procedures. The Client Accounting Specialist is responsible for and will oversee certain financial objectives such as preparing and regulating annual budgets, scheduling expenditures and beginning corrective actions when budget problems occur. Also, keep track of corporate financial status by closely monitoring revenue, expenses, and future budget changes while evaluating financial data, and preparing reports on finances. The Client Accounting Specialist may help guide other departments/divisions/branches by applying observations and recommendations to their financial operations. TheSeniorAccounting Manager also helps the company avoid legal challenges by understanding current and proposed legislation, enforcing certain financial regulations, and recommending new, efficient procedures. TheClient Accounting Specialist may also be responsible for updating company information by participating in any educational opportunities that can advance the company’s current financial model.

Duties:

• Review and approve monthly financial statements for various clients. Monthly reports consist of but not limited to, balance sheets, Income statements, Monthly trends, delinquencies, prepaid accounts, bank reconciliation and general ledgers, etc..
• Answer questions for Community Association Managers and Board Members regarding monthly financial statements.
• Manage transition-in of new clients, including communicating internally about new clients, setting up bank accounts, closing bank accounts, processing new and updated signature cards, and budget entry.
• Oversee and request AP & AR corrections, bank reconciliation, journal entries and account adjustments.
• Manage recurring charges, such as homeowner assessments, parking, and storage.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Assist with in-office tasks such as processing checks, by sorting, coding, and filling out AR income form.
• Attend in person or virtual board meetings as needed.
• Provide group training to Community Association Managers and employees both in-person and virtually.
• Provide one-on-one training to Boards as needed for financial & budget understanding.
• Assist Director of Accounting with the restructuring of processes of the department.
• Provide leadership to the department and backup to the Director of Accounting when absent.
• Provide training and assistance to Community Association Managersand other branch personnel with regard to financial statement review, budget implementation, A/R, A/P, GL, and various other accounting procedures.
• Update personnel with any association-related changes or updates to policies, procedures, banking, etc..
  
  

Requirements

Skills/experience needed to be successful:

• Knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) and Microsoft Office.
• Experienced in general ledger accounting.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints.
• Ability to make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and or boards of directors.
• Experienced in budget implementation.
• Understanding of AP transaction process.
• Understanding of AR transaction process.
• Willingness to grow and take on new projects as needed.
• Partner with multiple stakeholders, for example community managers, vendors, peers, clients.
• Must be able to prioritize, manage time, and meet deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Must be able to interpret verbal and/or written instructions at a proficient level.
• Must be able to communicate effectively and professionally on phone, email, and in-person.
• Must be able to operate general office equipment (copier, fax, phone systems, etc.).
  
  

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors Degree Preferred
• 3 – 8 years of directly related or closely related experience
• 3 – 5 years of Management and/or Supervisory experience
• CPA preferred
• What we offer
  
  

What We Offer:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Life Insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• Pet Insurance
• Supplemental Insurance
• 401K with employer contribution
• PTO
• Training on all systems used by our company
  
  

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.