Associate Accountant in Schiller Park, Illinois

Associate - Accounting and Finance

PREF is seeking a qualified Associate Accountant to join our accounting and finance team. The position will be based out of the company's headquarters in Chicago, IL and is in office 4 days per week. The position will report directly to the Director of Accounting and offers the opportunity to gain broad exposure across fund accounting, financial reporting, tax, and operational finance.

This position is an excellent opportunity to join a growing team of real estate professionals. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, analytical, and eager to develop expertise in real estate accounting.

Primary

Job Responsibilities:

• Assist with quarterly and annual financial reporting for multiple real estate investment funds, including, but not limited to review of general ledger, trial balances, financial statements, and supporting schedules for accuracy and completeness
• Coordinate audit support requests, organize documentation for external auditors, and assist with the review of audit work papers to facilitate timely completion of annual financial statement audits
• Assist with tax reporting by reviewing federal and state partnership tax returns, Schedule K-1s, and related tax work papers
• Support the day-to-day relationship with the fund administrator by coordinating information requests, reviewing deliverables, and ensuring the timely and accurate completion of accounting, financial reporting, and investor reporting activities
• Assist with treasury management activities, including preparing wire transfers, monitoring cash balances and supporting cash management across the funds and underlying assets
• Assist with the administration of capital calls and distributions, including reviewing the investor calculations and investor notices
• Coordinate with underlying joint venture partners to obtain audited financials, partnership returns, and other financial information
• Communicate and collaborate with internal teams, including asset management, acquisitions, and investor relations, to support fund operations and reporting
• Leverage emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, to streamline accounting and reporting processes
• Assist with ad hoc projects related to accounting, finance, tax, or audit

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, or a related field
• 2-3 years of experience (real estate experience preferred)
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, financial reporting, and core accounting principles, tax exposure is a plus
• Experience with preparing and reviewing financial statements
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, preferred experience with Power BI, data visualization, or other financial reporting tools
• Excellent analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• CPA or CPA candidate is a plus

What We Offer:

At Peakline, we focus on people first. As a service business, our people are our assets. Engaging our clients and employees is our highest priority. Starting base salary range: $75,000 - $100,000. Salary will be based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, licenses/certifications, and industry knowledge. Peakline offers a competitive compensation package including discretionary annual incentives and a benefits package to all full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, health savings accounts, short and long-term disability insurance, voluntary critical and accident insurance, and pre-tax parking and transportation programs.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

It is the policy of Peakline to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, or related conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, uniformed service member status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

It is Peakline's policy to comply with applicable laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.