This position can be based in the Chicago, IL office only

Position Summary:

The Financial Accountant will perform professional accounting and financial reporting functions for NAR and its family of related party companies, which includes a variety of non-profit and for-profit organizations, including professional member organizations, charitable foundations, a technology company, a venture capital entity, and a technology accelerator company. Serve as a business partner by fulfilling the business's timely and accurate accounting needs, working collaboratively with the rest of the Finance team and operations groups throughout the organization. Adhere to and enhance internal financial controls in order to help ensure a clean opinion on the Association’s annual financial audits.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepare financial statements and supporting schedules for NAR and its subsidiaries and affiliated organizations in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and internal policies
• Prepare journal entries, general ledger account reconciliations, bank reconciliations, and inter-company invoices, including investigating and correcting any discrepancies
• Record investment portfolio transactions in the general ledger and reconcile related general ledger accounts to sub-ledger and portfolio statements
• Review customer, vendor, operating, and other contractual agreements and invoices to ensure proper revenue and expense recognition as it relates to third-party and related-party agreements
• Review all related capital project documentation, including agreements, statements of work, and invoices, to determine if all such costs are capital or period expenses in accordance with GAAP and company policies and procedures
• Record capital transactions in the asset management sub-ledger, determine useful life of such assets, reconcile related general ledger accounts, including depreciation and amortization to sub-ledger, monitor long-lived asset inventory for impairment, and properly record asset disposals
• Ensure all financial transactions are recorded properly in the general ledger for a timely month-end close
• Create reports to meet program manager and senior management needs
• Work closely with operations managers and subsidiaries to ensure accounting is consistent with the business activities and to develop forecasts and variance explanations
• Prepare internal documentation to substantiate accounting treatment for new transactions, including reference to proper FASB codification standards
• Complete audit work papers and work directly with external auditors to answer audit inquiries and provide additional documentation as needed
• Maintain and apply up-to-date knowledge of current and impending accounting pronouncements impacting financial reporting by attending continuing education sessions and reading online reference materials, journals, and articles
• Work with NAR and subsidiary program managers to improve their understanding of financial systems, policies, and accounting practices, along with budget and business issues
• Streamline and improve current processes to achieve efficiency and best practices
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Minimum of 2-3 years of professional accounting experience
• Bachelors degree in accounting or finance required
• Skilled in meeting deadlines and adapting to fast-changing priorities in a challenging and fast-paced work environment
• High proficiency in Microsoft Office, strong knowledge of Excel, Word, and Outlook
• Strong analytic skills
• Demonstrated experience working independently as well as in a team environment
• Experience preparing and verifying quality GAAP-compliant financial documents
• Ability to apply accounting standards as they relate to each particular type of entity within NAR’s family of related party companies
• Capability to read and interpret contractual agreements and recommend the proper accounting treatment for such transactions
• Adept in explaining accounting principles to non-financial managers
• Ability to think in innovative ways to find solutions to problems
• Exceptional communication skills—verbal, written, and presentation
• Strong customer relations and interpersonal skills with a high level of response to all inquiries
• Willingness to take initiative and follow through on projects
• Flexibility to work extended hours and weekends through peak periods
• Occasional travel

Compensation: $60,000-$80,000
NAR provides comprehensive benefits including health/dental/vision insurance.

Organizational Overview:

The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) is a team of professionals dedicated to providing world-class service to over 1.5 million REALTORS® working in the United States and around the world. The real estate industry is fast-paced and fast-changing--each year, our members participate in the sale, lease, and management of real estate. As in every industry, our members’ value proposition is constantly being challenged by innovation.

It is our mission to empower REALTORS® as they preserve, protect and advance the right to real property for all. We cannot do that without the ideas, passion, and commitment from our talented employees. As our greatest assets, employees are offered their pick of competitive benefits/perks and flexible work options. Our most successful employees are committed to our Core Values, which are:
 

Putting members first
Leading change
Advancing diversity and inclusion
Giving respect
Collaborating
Communicating