Chief Accounting Officer

The Chief Accounting Officer (CAO) is a member of the executive leadership team and has overall responsibility for the Financial and Accounting strategy of Terra and its affiliates. Working as a collaborative leader, the CAO is responsible for managing and reporting on all fiscal and fiduciary affairs of the organization, including reporting to investors, lenders, grantors and government agencies; cash and investment management; budgeting and forecasting; and managing the day-to-day operations of the accounting department. In addition, the CAO will actively provide input to Asset Management, which oversees all long term hold residential and commercial assets.

The CAO collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Operations Officer (COO) and other senior staff to develop and implement the organization’s business plan to meet its strategic goals. The CAO recommends the financial strategy for reaching the organization’s goals, monitors and analyzes financial results.

Responsibilities include:

Organizational Strategy and Results:

• Together with the CEO, COO and executive leadership team, develops the strategy to ensure that the organization has the financial resources needed to achieve its current and future goals, while mitigating financial and operational risk.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with key financial partners including funders, investors, partners, government agencies, consultants, and vendors.
• Determine accounting and tax implications for all material business decisions.
• Create and establish yearly financial initiatives and goals that align with the company's plan for growth and expansion. Track and report on the status of the initiatives and goals.

Accounting Management and Financial Reporting:

• Oversee the day-to-day operations of the accounting department, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting and compliance with accounting standards and regulations in accordance with GAAP.
• Oversees organizational budgeting, accounting and cash management to ensure accurate reporting, interpretation and analysis of financial results in conjunction with forecasts and long range plans
• Reviews and provides oversight on entity audits and tax returns prepared by the third-party accounting firm.
• Supervises the Director of Corporate Accounting and Senior Project Controllers and related staff on day-to-day operations that includes, but is not limited to, month, quarterly, and year-end close, accounts receivable & payable, financial reports, payroll, invoicing, cash receipts and disbursements.
• Prepares the annual corporate consolidated financial statements
• Establishes and maintains controls to safeguard assets; documents and recommends improvements to internal financial policies and procedures
• Develops and completes timely financial statements and report on transactions and/or information requests
• Manages and monitors the organization’s cash flow and real estate development capital needs
• Prepare and present monthly budget vs actual reports for properties and ownership entities.
• Prepare and present weekly cash flow reports for each ownership entity.
• Review and analyze monthly financial results and provide recommendations.
• Develop and maintain operational budgets for each ownership entity.
• Works closely with the Senior Project Controllers to prepare and issue funding requisitions for all real estate development projects in construction.
• Works collaboratively with Acquisitions/Finance department to review debt and equity proposals
• Works collaboratively with Acquisition/Finance/Legal in the review of key agreements, including mortgages, loan documents, subordination agreement, guarantees, tax credits, bond financing, public subsidies and contracts, and/or private debt as part of a financing and construction loan closings
• In conjunction with the staff, ensures that loan draws, equity funding, project cost certifications and other specialized reporting to investors and government agencies are completed accurately and timely.

Qualifications:

• At least 10 years of demonstrated relevant Real Estate Development and Accounting experience, with at least five years’ experience as a CAO or Vice President of Accounting, with both technical and management proficiency in operations of a real estate development organization.
• BA or MBA in Finance or Accounting required, other additional relevant advanced degree and/or certification, such as a CFA or CPA, preferred.
• Knowledge and experience with real estate and construction accounting
• Use of collaborative and facilitative approach and the flexibility to work with broad range of cultures, personalities, and work styles.
• Professional demeanor and willingness to cooperatively participate on a team in a mission-based organization.
• Ability to demonstrate the greatest level of flexibility in an environment with frequently changing priorities required to meet the needs of Terra’s internal and external users.
• Demonstrated experience with design and implementation of enhanced financial systems and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to prepare clear, accurate, well-organized written and financial reports and to communicate verbally in an effective and concise manner.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office.
• Yardi experience a plus.
• Supervisory experience required.

As a team member at Terra, you’ll enjoy:

• Career advancement and bonus opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits package, including health, vision, dental insurance, and FSA (Flexible Spending Account).
• Employer-paid life and disability insurance.
• Employer matching 401k.
• Employee team building events.
• Company paid monthly lunches.
• Paid Time Off and paid Holidays.