Accounting Project Manager (3-6 Months)
Accounting Project Manager (Temporary)
Reports To: EVP, Property Management and CFOO
Classification: Temporary / Project-Based
Department: Accounting / Finance
Position Overview
The Accounting Project Manager is responsible for leading the redesign, strengthening, and standardization of the Company’s month-end close processes, templates, and controls. This role will ensure that the monthly close process is structured, auditable, scalable, and resistant to manual errors by implementing standardized workpapers, automated validation mechanisms (within Excel using Yardi data), and clear accountability across departments.
The Accounting Project Manager will work from the Company’s existing close framework and templates and refine them into a robust, foolproof system that supports accurate and timely financial reporting across the property portfolio.
This role requires strong technical accounting expertise, advanced Excel capability, excellent communication skills, and the ability to drive change across teams. Most importantly, the role requires urgency, ownership, and the ability to push a complex project forward on an accelerated timeline.
Phase 1 Project Scope – Month-End Close Redesign
In the first phase of the project, the Accounting Project Manager will redesign and standardize the Company’s month-end close framework. This includes strengthening existing workpapers, implementing automated validation controls, creating structured review and signoff procedures, and ensuring accountability across departments.
The Accounting Project Manager will serve as the owner of the redesigned close process until the process is fully implemented and transferred to the Quality Assurance and Training Manager or a future Controller.
Phase 2 Project Scope – Accounting SOP Framework
In Phase 2 of the project, the Accounting Project Manager will conduct a comprehensive review of all existing accounting SOPs and operating procedures.
This review will identify gaps between documented procedures and actual operational practices across the accounting, property management, and accounts payable functions.
Based on this assessment, the Accounting Project Manager will prioritize a structured list of SOPs requiring creation, revision, or consolidation and will lead the drafting and rollout of these procedures.
The Accounting Project Manager will deliver approximately two to three finalized SOPs per week for review, approval, and organizational rollout. SOPs will be written in a clear, scalable format that supports training, operational consistency, and compliance.
Key Responsibilities
Month-End Close Process Redesign
Lead the redesign and strengthening of the Company's month-end close process to improve reliability, efficiency, and audit readiness.
Responsibilities include reviewing the existing close process and templates, redesigning standardized workpapers, implementing Excel-based validation controls, and ensuring the close process supports timely and accurate reporting across the portfolio.
Workpaper Template Development
Develop improved workpaper templates incorporating locked formulas, protected cells, clear input areas, automated validation flags, and review-friendly structures.
Month-End Close Checklist and Task Tracking
Create an enhanced checklist that requires real-time task completion tracking by Staff Accountants for each property, eliminating the ability to copy prior-period checklists and ensuring accurate completion reporting.
Close Review Structure and Accountability
Define clear accountability for all participants in the close process including Property Managers, Regional Managers, AP Team, Staff Accountants, Regional Accounting Managers, and the Quality Assurance and Training Manager.
SOP Review and Build-Out
Review all existing accounting SOPs and identify procedural gaps.
Prioritize, draft, and deliver new or revised SOPs at a cadence of 2–3 per week.
Coordinate approvals and support rollout of finalized procedures across the organization.
Project Timeline and Weekly Deliverables
Week 1
Assess current month-end close process, review existing workpapers and checklists, identify key control gaps, and outline the redesigned close structure.
Week 2
Develop and deliver the first version of the new standardized month-end close workpaper template with locked formulas, clear input sections, and automated review flags.
Week 3
Design improved close checklist structure requiring real-time task completion tracking and eliminating reliance on copied prior-period checklists.
Week 4
Develop documentation outlining roles and accountability for Property Managers, Regional Managers, AP, Staff Accountants, Regional Accounting Managers, and QA/Training.
Week 5
Pilot the redesigned workpapers and checklist and incorporate feedback to improve usability and control effectiveness.
Week 6
Finalize standardized templates and review procedures. Implement validation checks and signoff structures for the close process.
Week 7
Conduct training sessions with the Quality Assurance and Training Manager and accounting team to ensure understanding of the new close framework.
Week 8
Complete implementation, document final procedures, and transition ownership of the month-end close administration process to the Quality Assurance and Training Manager or future Controller.
Week 9 – 16 (?)
Inventory and analysis of existing SOP gaps, drafting 2-3 revised SOPs per week for review and approval based on a prioritized list.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required. CPA preferred.
7+ years of progressive accounting experience with significant exposure to month-end close processes and financial reporting.
Advanced Excel skills including formulas, workbook protection, and validation controls. Experience designing standardized accounting workpapers preferred.
Strong project management capability with demonstrated ability to drive process improvement initiatives quickly and effectively.
Excellent communication skills with the ability to coordinate across departments and influence teams without direct authority.