Staff Accountant Job Chicago area,Illinois USA,Finance & Banking

General Summary

Responsible for timely preparation of financial and operating reports at the property level including the preparation of financial schedules and reports for internal reporting, internal decision making, property management and the like. Performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions

Prepares monthly financial statements of assigned region(s) to ensure compliance with generally accepted accounting principles including analysis of: rental revenue, property expenses, and capital expenditures. Analyze financial activity to assess property performance relative to budget.

Review and record property acquisitions and dispositions. Prepare and enter closing entries and review transaction costs. Assist in the review of purchase price allocations for acquisitions. Calculate and record gains for property sales.

Prepare and maintain fixed asset ledger and calculate quarterly depreciation.

Calculate straight-line rent adjustments for operating leases and perform variance analysis over straight-line rent activity.

Prepare financial information and reports for the company's joint venture holdings.

Record property tax accruals and/or amortization of prepaid property taxes.

Prepare and maintain work-papers for a variety of balance sheet and income statement accounts including lease incentives, tenant reimbursements, capital and operating accruals, other income, and property operating expenses.

Review annual CAM reconciliations completed by regional management teams to ensure accuracy and explain variances from estimates.

Answer questions from regional property management teams regarding monthly financials, discuss data submitted by regions, and clarify discrepancies. Assist regional offices in interpreting and understanding accounting reports.

Assist Property Accounting Managers with special projects as needed

Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of accounting principles and systems in order to maintain general ledgers and prepare related statements and reports at a level normally acquired through completion of a Bachelor's degree in accounting or other closely related field.

New college graduate or one to two years accounting experience necessary to gain proficiency needed to understand, analyze, and maintain a variety of general ledger accounts and related documentation.

Strong written/oral communication skills including ability to prepare accurate and appropriate documentation and to review, proofread, and check documentation for accuracy.

Computer skills necessary to communicate with others, prepare documentation, and analyze data.

Internal Contacts:
Various managers and directors to gather and exchange accounting information and reconcile problems or discrepancies in accounts.

External Contacts:
Vendors, auditors, and taxing authorities to resolve issues.

Physical Requirements

Work requires sitting for extended periods of time when using computer system.

Work is performed in a normal office environment where there are relatively few physical discomforts due to dust, dirt, noise and the like.

Equal Employment Opportunity

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer Committed to Diversity, M/F/D/V