Client Accounting Services Manager (Construction & Real Estate)

We are adding a Client Advisory Services (CAS) Manager to our growing Construction & Real Estate advisory niche. This role will work closely with privately held construction companies, real estate owners, developers, property managers, and other businesses to improve accounting processes, reporting, and decision-making. The ideal candidate has meaningful experience in construction and real estate accounting from either public accounting or private industry. This person should be driven, analytical, client-service oriented, and comfortable solving messy accounting and reporting challenges in practical ways. The role offers significant opportunity to grow over time in a team environment that is investing in industry specialization and CAS advisory growth. Key Responsibilities · Serve as a primary day-to-day advisor for construction and real estate clients, helping management teams improve accounting processes, reporting, and decision-making. · Review and oversee monthly financial reporting packages. · Advise clients on construction accounting matters, including WIP schedules, percentage-of-completion concepts, job cost reporting, over/under billings, and project profitability. · Advise real estate clients on property accounting matters. · Help clients develop reporting tools that provide clearer insight into project performance, property performance, working capital, cash flow, and profitability. · Translate technical accounting issues into clear, practical recommendations for owners and other non-accounting stakeholders. Engagement Leadership and Client Management · Manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously. · Lead client onboarding, initial assessments, month-end close design, workflow development, and implementation of repeatable reporting processes. · Own engagement timelines, budgets, deliverables, review processes, and client communication. · Identify accounting process gaps and recommend improvements to increase accuracy, timeliness, and scalability. · Coordinate with tax, assurance, transaction advisory, and other teams to deliver integrated service to clients. · Proactively identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships through advisory, reporting, process improvement, and technology-related services. Systems, Process Improvement, and Technology · Evaluate clients’ current accounting systems, workflows, reporting tools, and reconciliation processes. · Support implementation or improvement of accounting software and related applications. · Build scalable accounting workflows, reconciliations, reporting packages, and supporting documentation. · Leverage technology and automation to improve client reporting and reduce manual work. · Assist clients with multi-entity reporting, intercompany activity, and management reporting structures. Team Leadership and Practice Development · Manage and develop staff and senior accountants supporting client engagements. · Review workpapers, reconciliations, financial statements, reporting packages, and client deliverables for accuracy and quality. · Create and improve templates, checklists, reporting packages, training materials, and best-practice documentation. · Help build a repeatable service model for the firm’s Construction & Real Estate CAS niche. · Participate in internal training and knowledge-sharing. · Support business development activities, including client expansion opportunities, proposal preparation, networking, and industry visibility. · Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field · 5+ years of progressive accounting experience in either public accounting or private industry · Meaningful experience with construction accounting, real estate accounting, property accounting, or project-based accounting. · Strong understanding of U.S. GAAP and accrual-basis financial reporting. · Experience with QuickBooks, Sage, Yardi, or other common industry platforms. · Ability to review monthly financial statements and identify issues, trends, inconsistencies, and opportunities for improvement. · Experience managing deadlines, client expectations, multiple priorities, and recurring deliverables. · Strong analytical, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills. · Demonstrated ability to work independently, solve problems, and take ownership of client work. · Client-service mindset with the ability to communicate effectively with business owners, controllers, CFOs, and operational leaders. · Interest in helping grow the construction and real estate industry niche over time. Why Join Us · Dedicated construction and real estate industry focus within a growing CAS advisory practice. · Opportunity to work with privately held businesses where advisory work has a direct impact. · Exposure to construction contractors, real estate owners, developers, property managers, and multi-entity client groups. · Ability to help design the service model, templates, reporting packages, and internal best practices for a growing niche. · Clear opportunity for advancement over time in a growing firm environment. · Entrepreneurial midsized-firm platform with access to firm leadership and cross-service collaboration. · Opportunity for a driven manager to move into expanded leadership responsibilities as the practice scales. Join a Firm That Expects More — and Gives More We’re building a firm of people who take pride in doing things the right way. We’re looking for individuals who are: Intellectually curious – You think critically, ask better questions, and don’t settle for surface-level answers. Hardworking – You bring determination and follow-through, especially when it matters most. Personable – You build trust naturally—with clients and teammates alike. Driven – You care about growth, accountability, and becoming exceptional at your craft. Client Service Oriented – You understand that responsiveness, quality, and relationships are what define great firms. What Makes Us Different We believe our people want: Meaningful client relationships – not just compliance work A team of high performers – not passengers Clear expectations and accountability – not ambiguity Opportunities to grow into leaders – not static roles A voice in shaping the firm’s future – not just executing tasks We’re intentional about building a culture where performance matters, collaboration is real, and people take ownership. Who Will Thrive Here You’ll do well here if you: Take initiative without waiting to be asked Care about the details and the bigger picture Communicate clearly and confidently Are career driven and motivated Want to be part of a team that pushes each other to be better Mowery & Schoenfeld, LLC is an accounting and advisory services firm headquartered in Lincolnshire, Illinois, with satellite offices in the Chicago Loop, Downtown Miami, and the Philippines. Our organization is focused on providing personalized service to each client, building a lasting and trusted relationship. Made up of 20 partners and over 200 total employees, Mowery & Schoenfeld ranks among the top ten firms in Illinois and recently named one of the largest accounting firms in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business. We take culture seriously by providing a supportive environment focused on growth. Our Firm has been named a Best Firms to Work For by Accounting Today, a Best Firms for Women by Accounting Today, and a Best Place to Work in Chicago by Crain’s Chicago Business. Mowery & Schoenfeld offers comprehensive tax, assurance, transaction advisory, outsourced accounting, wealth management, international tax, and business advisory services. Through our M&S Cares program, we prioritize giving back and provide opportunities for our team to support our larger community. We are grateful to be recognized with the Illinois CPA Society's Time and Talent Public Service Volunteerism Award, awarded to only one firm each year. We are always looking for employees with a focus on growth, community, and superior client service to join our team. Mowery & Schoenfeld is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, or age. For more information on our benefits, click here: https://www.msllc.com/careers/our-benefits/