Core Spaces
Core Spaces·yesterday

Manager, property accounting

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Location

onsite, Chicago, IL, United States

Salary

$125k – $135k/yr

Commitment

Full Time

Level

Lead / Manager

Required skills

Property accountingFinancial reportingTeam leadershipGAAPBudget-to-actual analysisMonth-end closeGeneral ledgerAccount reconciliationReal estate accountingStrategic planningProcess improvementFinancial analysisAudit supportYardiEntrataPortfolio management

Job Description

Who We Are

Core Spaces (Core) is more than a real estate company, it’s a people company. Where building relationships is just as important as building properties. From researchers and architects to designers and operators, Core is made up of risk takers and dreamers who are on a mission to invent the future of living. Our six cultural values guide us every day and we strive to live them in everything we do: PUSH (Invent Better Places to Live), GRIT (We Got This), LIFT (Help Each Other Win), SHINE (Bring Your Full Self), UPHOLD (Never Break Trust), GROW (Always Get Better). Everything Core does stems from this culture of collaboration and innovation, and the drive to constantly improve the resident experience. This unique approach has led to creating spaces and services that are redefining the way people live.

What We Do

Founded in 2010, Core is a vertically integrated real estate investment manager focused on acquiring, developing and managing across the student housing and build-to-rent (“BTR”) sectors. Its residential communities feature world-class amenities, progressive design, and hospitality-driven service. Core’s student housing portfolio includes over 74,440 beds currently owned or managed, with a pipeline of over 53,860 beds in various stages of development. Core’s BTR division has over 3,000 homes under development, now leasing or in its pipeline in high-growth metros nationwide. For more information, visit www.corespaces.com. *Portfolio and pipeline numbers as of Q2 2026

Benefits That Matter

  • A culture that provides you with a sense of belonging
  • Competitive pay that values your contributions
  • Incentives designed to reward your achievements
  • Paid flexible PTO to disconnect or celebrate life milestones
  • Paid 14+ holidays, including your birthday, to disconnect and celebrate
  • Paid Parental Leave that begins after 90 days
  • Paid volunteer time off to give back to your community
  • Monthly workshop weeks; fewer meetings & more collaboration
  • Robust health plan options that begin within at least 30 days of your employment
  • Monthly phone reimbursement
  • Wellness allowance and perks, including a yearly subscription to a meditation app
  • An environment that provides you a voice to share your perspectives
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for access to confidential support services
  • Company retirement options including 401(k) + matching & Roth account option

Position Overview

The Property Accounting Manager is responsible for the oversight, accuracy, and timely delivery of property-level financial reporting and accounting operations across a portfolio of real estate assets. This role serves as a key leader within the accounting organization, overseeing month-end close activities, financial statement reviews, budget-to-actual analysis, third-party accounting relationships, and compliance with company accounting policies and GAAP. The Property Accounting Manager is accountable for ensuring the integrity of financial information used by internal stakeholders, ownership groups, lenders, and investment partners while driving consistency, accuracy, and operational efficiency across the property accounting function.

Reporting to senior accounting leadership, this position provides leadership to internal and third-party accounting teams, establishes and maintains accounting controls, identifies financial reporting risks, and develops solutions to improve processes and reporting quality. The Property Accounting Manager partners closely with Asset Management, Operations, Finance, Development, and Executive Leadership to support business decisions, portfolio performance analysis, acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic initiatives. Success in this role requires strong technical accounting knowledge, leadership capabilities, analytical thinking, and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving real estate environment.

What You Will Do

Team Leadership & Development

  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of property accountants and third-party accounting professionals, establishing clear performance expectations, accountability measures, and development plans.
  • Provide ongoing coaching and technical guidance to ensure consistency in accounting practices, financial reporting quality, and adherence to internal deadlines.
  • Manage workload allocation, resource planning, and team priorities to support accurate and timely completion of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting requirements.
  • Serve as a trusted technical resource for accounting guidance, interpretation of company policies, and resolution of complex accounting matters.
  • Promote consistency, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the property accounting functions.

Financial Reporting & Close Management

  • Oversee the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes for the property portfolio, ensuring financial statements are accurate, complete, and delivered within established timelines.
  • Review financial statements, supporting schedules, reconciliations, journal entries, and account analyses prepared by internal or third-party accounting teams.
  • Analyze financial results and reporting trends to identify unusual activity, potential errors, operational concerns, or opportunities for improvement.
  • Ensure all financial reporting complies with GAAP, company policies, partnership agreements, lender requirements, and other reporting obligations.
  • Coordinate with Joint Venture Reporting, Finance, Asset Management, and other stakeholders to support reporting deliverables and business needs.

Portfolio Performance & Business Partnership

  • Lead budget-to-actual reviews, variance analysis, and financial trend reporting across the property portfolio.
  • Partner with Asset Management and Property Operations leaders to improve financial performance and resolve accounting-related matters.
  • Identify potential risks, operational challenges, and reporting inconsistencies while developing and monitoring corrective action plans.
  • Support executive leadership with ad hoc financial analysis, portfolio performance reporting, and strategic initiatives.

Accounting Operations, Transactions & Compliance

  • Oversee general ledger activity, account reconciliations, journal entries, and supporting schedules to maintain the integrity of financial information.
  • Identify control weaknesses, process inefficiencies, or reporting risks and implement solutions that improve accuracy, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
  • Review and approve accounting transactions related to revenue recognition, reserves, accruals, prepaid expenses, debt activity, intercompany balances, and other complex transactions.
  • Assist with audit requests and support both internal and external audit activities as needed.

Acquisitions, Dispositions & Transaction Accounting

  • Lead accounting integration activities associated with acquisitions, dispositions, portfolio transitions, and ownership structure changes.
  • Review purchase accounting entries, opening balance sheet activity, disposition accounting, settlement statements, and re-proration calculations.
  • Ensure acquired and disposed assets are accurately reflected within financial systems and reporting packages.
  • Coordinate with Legal, Asset Management, Development, Finance, and external parties to support transaction execution and accounting compliance.
  • Analyze and resolve complex accounting matters associated with acquisitions, dispositions, restructurings, and capital events.

Lender, Investor & Ownership Reporting

  • Oversee the preparation, review, and distribution of recurring financial reporting packages required by lenders, ownership groups, investors, and joint venture partners.
  • Ensure reporting obligations are fulfilled in accordance with loan agreements, partnership agreements, and investor requirements.
  • Coordinate the collection and validation of supporting financial information required for compliance reporting and covenant monitoring.
  • Serve as a key point of contact for accounting-related requests from lenders, partners, auditors, and other external stakeholders.

Process Improvement & Strategic Initiatives

  • Lead efforts to enhance accounting processes, reporting workflows, system utilization, and operational efficiencies across the portfolio.
  • Develop, maintain, and update Standard Operating Procedures, accounting policies, process documentation, and best practice guides.
  • Champion automation opportunities and technology enhancements that improve reporting accuracy, consistency, and scalability.
  • Participate in system implementations, integrations, conversions, and other transformational initiatives impacting property accounting operations.
  • Support special projects and strategic initiatives assigned by leadership.

Occasional travel may be necessary as needed. Perform all other duties and tasks as assigned by management. Must be able to complete all physical requirements of this role with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Ideally, You'll Have

  • Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance.
  • 8 or more years of progressive accounting experience, including significant experience within real estate, property accounting, multifamily, student housing, commercial real estate, or a related asset class.
  • 1 to 3 years of direct leadership, supervision, or team management experience.
  • Strong working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and financial reporting principles.
  • Experience overseeing month-end close processes, financial statement review, account reconciliations, and general ledger management.
  • Demonstrated experience reviewing and analyzing complex accounting transactions and financial results.
  • Experience partnering with operations, asset management, finance, and executive stakeholders.
  • Proven ability to identify process improvements, implement solutions, and drive operational efficiencies.
  • Excellent analytical, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment while maintaining a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

You'll crush it if you have experience with

  • Student housing, multifamily, hospitality, commercial real estate, or other institutional real estate sectors.
  • Acquisitions, dispositions, purchase accounting, and portfolio transitions.
  • Working with third-party accounting providers and outsourced accounting structures.
  • Advanced proficiency with Yardi, Entrata, or similar property management and accounting platforms.
  • Supporting lender reporting, joint venture reporting, or institutional ownership structures.
  • CPA designation or Master's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field.

Organizational Structure

Reports to: Senior Director, Property Accounting
Direct Reports: Senior Associate(s), Property Accounting & Associate(s), Property Accounting

Disclaimer

Please note that job responsibilities, reporting lines, and duties outlined in this job description are subject to change to meet the evolving needs of the organization. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Core Spaces celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive environment, which creates a sense of belonging for all employees. We do not discriminate and believe every individual should be proud of who they are and the community they represent.

Pay Range

USD $125,000.00 - USD $135,000.00 /Yr.

Compensation Disclosure

The compensation range listed reflects the base salary or hourly rate that we reasonably and in good faith expect to offer for this role at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as education, experience, skills, certifications, seniority, geographic location, and business needs. This role may be eligible for additional forms of compensation, including bonuses, commissions, stipends, or non-cash incentives, depending on position and performance. Benefits may include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, and other role-based offerings, subject to eligibility requirements. All compensation components are subject to change based on business needs or market conditions.

Ready to join the team?

Apply now