Accounting Manager

We represent a fast-growing property management company that values client experience, operational efficiency, and team collaboration. Their culture is professional yet approachable, with a strong focus on providing high-quality service to clients and residents.

The Accounting Manager is responsible for the day-to-day accuracy, compliance, and reliability of SJA Property Management’s trust and corporate accounting functions.

Initially, the Accounting Manager will work closely with and through SJA’s third-party accounting providers that currently perform key trust and corporate accounting responsibilities. The Accounting Manager will provide internal ownership and oversight by understanding existing workflows, reviewing service quality and accuracy, clarifying responsibilities, strengthening controls, and ensuring issues are resolved promptly.

A primary objective of the role is to develop and execute a strategic roadmap for bringing appropriate trust and corporate accounting functions in-house. This transition should be deliberate and supported by documented processes, appropriate staffing , cross-training, technology, internal controls, and continuity planning.

The goal is not simply to replace outside providers. The goal is to build the most accurate , efficient, scalable, and cost-effective accounting team for SJA Property Management. The Accounting Manager will assess which responsibilities should be internalized, in what order, and what resources are required to complete the transition without compromising service, compliance, or financial controls.

The role will initially report to the Director of Operations. Once the Director of Accounting position is established , the Accounting Manager will report to that position and continue leading SJA Property Management’s core trust and corporate accounting operations.

• Serve as SJA’s primary internal owner for trust accounting functions currently performed by third-party providers.
• Develop a complete understanding of how funds, transactions, documentation, approvals, and accounting information move through the current process.
• Establish clear responsibilities, SLAs , deadlines, escalation procedures, and quality standards for third-party providers.
• Review provider work for accuracy, timeliness, compliance, and adherence to established procedures.
• Monitor provider costs, service levels, recurring errors, unresolved items, and operational dependencies.
• Ensure SJA maintains appropriate access to its accounting records, systems, documentation, and institutional knowledge.
• Identify control gaps, process risks, duplicated work, and unclear ownership between SJA and its providers.
• Create a phased roadmap for internalizing trust and corporate accounting responsibilities.
• Determine the staffing, training, systems, procedures, controls, and cross-training required for each phase
• Prioritize functions for internalization based on risk, cost, complexity, operational impact, and SJA’s readiness.
• Develop transition plans that protect business continuity and avoid disruption to owners, residents, vendors, and operational teams.
• Measure whether internalization improves accuracy, accountability, turnaround time, financial visibility, and overall cost-effectiveness.
• Recommend which specialized functions, if any, should remain outsourced based on expertise , risk, capacity, or financial value.
• Partner with the Director of Operations and future Director of Accounting on staffing and implementation decisions.

• Manage SJA Property Management’s trust accounting operations in compliance with Washington requirements.
• Oversee trust accounting responsibilities performed by third-party providers during the transition period.
• Ensure…