Job Information
FirstService Residential Assistant Controller in San Ramon, California
Job Overview:
The Assistant Controller is a key GL Accounting leader who works closely with the Regional Controller to ensure the accurate, timely and efficient delivery of financial information to FirstService Residential clients in assigned regions. Each FirstService Residential client is a separate business with its own unique budget, vendors, investments, and priorities. The Assistant Controller partners with regional operations leadership and Community Managers to promote client retention, build solid client relationships and help drive growth in the region.
The Assistant Controller is a support leader for any client financial issues and needs to have an excellent working knowledge General Ledger Accounting (GAAP), understanding of AP and AR processes, collection activities, budgeting, and pro-active risk management. The Assistant Controller serves as the first point on contact for the GL Accountants on questions relating to process, concept, and general assistance in managing workload.
Compensation: $80-95k
FirstService Residential will compensate the successful candidate in accordance with the posted range. The salary or wage paid to the successful candidate will be commensurate with experience, education, and specific job responsibilities. For positions designated at a client's property, the salary or wage will also be premised upon the client's directive. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future.
Job Responsibilities:
Financial Reporting
- Coordinates with the Regional Controller to ensure monthly financial statements are prepared in a timely and accurate manner as assigned.
- Responsible for production and review of financial statements on a monthly basis. Attention to detail to identify potential errors or areas of risk including: variances to budget, linkage to supporting schedules, lingering bank reconciliation items, cash shortages, investment management opportunities, etc.
- Troubleshoot any accounting or reporting issues in collaboration with the Community Manager or CM leadership as needed.
- Listen to clients, plan for their changing needs, monitor client satisfaction and follow up on client inquiries, requests or complaints as requested by the Regional Controller.
- Work closely with the Regional Controller to identify any areas of concern relating to financial production efforts and work to rectify/provide additional resources ensuring timely and accurate financial statement delivery.
Planning & Budgeting
- Assist the Community Manager with annual budgeting and required Civil Code disclosures. Ensure the Community Manager has the appropriate tools to bring before the board. Review/challenge reserve studies when warranted.
- Identify trends early and develop plans to mitigate risks and support our clients’ goals and objectives.
Leadership
- Support an environment that provides direction and promotes continuous learning and development. Provide accurate and motivating feedback to the General Ledger staff and communicate constructive criticism of the General Ledger staff to the Regional Controllers. Promotes hard work in others by setting the example.
- Ensure the GL Accountants provides timely and accurate financial reports by defining and enforcing appropriate service level standards. Work closely with other Client Accounting departments (Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Banking, Phasing) on key deliverables and resolving issues as they arise. Client retention is a key measure of success, so performance issues need to be surfaced with functional management as soon as possible.
- Provide generalized and ad-hoc training to Community Managers as needed. Collaborate with Community Managers to achieve desired results in product and process. Mandate standard and effectively manage performance issues by working cohesively with training team and/or obtaining accountability from Community Management leadership team.
- Attend Board/Finance Committee meetings when appropriate. Collaborate with Community Management teams and clients to be able to present important issues to the client along with appropriate recommendations.
- View matters from the clients’ perspective as well as the companies’ perspective to find approaches that work for both.Adept at handling contentious situations and managing change.
- Build organizational and industry relationships.Promote collaboration and remove obstacles to teamwork across the organization.
- May supervise a small team of General Ledger Accountants.
Other Duties
- Interact with Community Managers and Regional Controller to review financial statements and respond to questions regarding specific items such as banking and other financial activities.
- Process recurring journal entries for all checking account bank fees.
- Review all processing fees to calculate and submit the debit file for all FirstService Residential processing fee receivables. Work closely with Corporate Accounting to clear management reimbursable, provide support, invoices and track credits back to the association.
- Special Projects as assigned by Regional Controller, Director or VP.
Skills & Qualifications:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Strong understanding of balance sheets, income statements, general ledger, etc. with the ability to explain these financial reports and procedures to our clients and Community Management teams.
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Power Point, and Outlook
- Proficiency with accounting software
- Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and management and justify certain financial recommendations to clients
- Ability to crystallize thought, anticipate roadblocks and rally commitment and buy-in.
- Listens attentively; communicates clearly and often.
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance preferred
- Minimum 3 years’ experience in accounting/finance
- Experience working with multiple clients on a variety of accounting basis (cash, modified accrual, full accrual)
Physical Requirements & Working Environment:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to lift 25lbs.
- Must be able to sit for extended periods of time.
- Must have finger dexterity for typing/using a keyboard.
What We Offer:
- Medical, dental, and vision plans (full time and part time 30+ hours)
- Part time 20+ hours qualify for dental and vision
- 401K match
- Time off including vacation, sick, and company paid holidays
- Pet insurance available
- Verizon discount
- Tuition reimbursement
- Legal services
- Free emotional wellbeing and daily life assistance support for all associates
- Domestic partner coverage
- Health savings account
- Flexible spending account
About Us:
FirstService Residential transforms the property management landscape by providing professional association management services to over 9,000 residential communities across the United States and Canada.
Our dedication to associate satisfaction and growth is recognized by our Great Place to Work certification, exemplifying our commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture. Our 19,000 associates can count on competitive salaries, top-tier medical, dental, and retirement benefits, career training, and support for continued professional development.
Disclaimer:
The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. This is not an all-inclusive job description; therefore, management has the right to assign or reassign schedules, duties, and responsibilities to this job at any time.
FirstService Residential is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, parental status, ancestry, disability, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, other distinguishing characteristics of diversity and inclusion, or any other protected status.
Qualified applicants with arrest and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with federal and state laws. All offers of employment with FirstService Residential are contingent upon a satisfactory background check.