Client Financial Business Partner I (Field Controller)

Client Financial Business Partner

Reporting to the Market President, the Client Financial Business Partner serves as a liaison between the property management team, GSS, and the client and is responsible for overseeing field knowledge, performance, and presentation of client accounting services within a designated territory. In addition, this role is accountable for performing financial reviews, supporting client relationship plans, plays a key role in the preparation of Special Assessments from concept to billing, and the oversight of team's delivery of annual property budgets. The Client Financial Business Partner collaborates extensively with peers and key property operations to drive retention, efficiency, and share best practices with the objective of strengthening the relationship with the client. This role requires excellent communication skills to partner with operations, interact with both internal and external clients, and be a knowledgeable leader in financial accounting and the property management industry.

Your Responsibilities:

• Possess a high degree of accountability, a sense of urgency, commitment, ownership, and passion for financial statement presentations and client retention.
• Collaborate with property leaders and clients to support special projects, reporting, and financial analytics.
• Partner with operations to perform periodic reviews of financial statements with analytical insight to ensure teams are able to summarize and present variances, key drivers, potential risks, and opportunities to clients. Be able to speak to closing schedules, accruals, pre-payments, depreciation and amortization schedules, deficit funding requests, and financial reconciliations.
• Establish action plans to provide clients with financial awareness and education to enhance their financial condition, where appropriate.
• Provide oversight of developer community financials, ensuring timely funding and billing. Drive escalation and action plans when appropriate.
• Evaluate property workflows to optimize team performance of accounting deliverables and minimize internal and external risk. Identify possible issues, inconsistencies, and suggest action around appropriate corrective strategies and procedures. Partners with leadership, where appropriate.
• Provide information and interface with external auditors who prepare client audits.
• Partner with Transition Services and property teams to understand new communities' needs and facilitate the implementation of client accounting workflows ensuring smooth setup and delivery of services. Support operations in the presentation and review of the first financial to the Board, ensuring client satisfaction from the start.
• Provide training and oversight of annual property budget preparation and delivery.
• Assist with client accounting related initiatives and/or project as required.
• Attend after-hour board meetings as required.
• Practice and adhere to FirstService Residential Global Service Standards.
• Conduct business at all times with the highest standards of personal, professional, and ethical conduct.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, or statistics required, with a master's degree preferred and/or CPA.
• Proven experience working as a senior level accountant or financial analyst.
• Proven proficiency in spreadsheets, databases, and financial software applications.
• At least 10+ years of experience in accounting/ financial reporting with a proven understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.
• Excellent reporting, presentation, and communication skills.
• Hands-on Month-end closing experience with a large multi-entity organization, Bank reconciliations, BS schedules, and analysis for mid to large companies.
• Knowledge of fund accounting, reserve, operating, investment funds and management reporting. Experience in ERP systems, CAMACCT, Jonas, Toast and other POS systems.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, especially Excel.
• Other systems experience Lockbox and ACG platforms such as ClickPay, ADP, AvidXchange, Pcard programs, etc.
• Experience in Banking platforms, Fund accounting, and reporting.

Physical Requirements:

This position works under usual office conditions. The employee is required to work at a personal computer as well as be on the phone for extended periods of time. Must be able to stand, sit and walk and occasionally climb. The incumbent must be able to work extended and flexible hours and weekends as needed. Physical demands include ability to lift up to 30 lbs.

What We Offer:

As an exempt associate, you will be eligible for full comprehensive benefits to include your choice of multiple medical plans, dental, and vision. In addition, you will be eligible for time off benefits, paid holidays, and a 401k with company match.