Senior Director – Property Accounting

ROLE SUMMARY

We are seeking a Senior Director – Property Accounting to provide senior leadership across the Property Accounting function. This role is based in Bengaluru, India.

The Senior Director – Property Accounting provides senior leadership across the Property Accounting function, with responsibility for the quality, accuracy and timely delivery of property-level accounting and financial reporting performed by the Bengaluru-based team. The role leads the offshore Property Accounting organization through its management team and works closely with US-based Property Accounting leadership to support the effective execution of month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes, consistent application of accounting policies, and maintenance of strong review and internal control standards. The role will serve as a key partner to US-based Property Accounting leadership and stakeholders across Financial Reporting, FP&A, Investments, Operations and other functions.

Primary Role – Managed Portfolio Accounting and Reporting

• Provide leadership over the Bengaluru-based Property Accounting function, ensuring property-level accounting and financial reporting are completed accurately, timely and in accordance with US GAAP, company policies and internal control requirements.
  
• Partner closely with US-based Property Accounting leadership in the execution of month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes, including management of close calendars, review standards, escalation protocols and timely completion of offshore deliverables.
  
• Oversee review standards for property-level accounting performed by the offshore team, including balance sheet reconciliations, significant account analyses and unusual or complex transactions, with appropriate escalation of material issues.
  
• Lead and develop the Bengaluru-based Property Accounting team, setting performance expectations, managing workload and capacity, and supporting leadership development and succession planning.
  
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators for the offshore Property Accounting team, including close timeliness, reconciliation completion, accounting exceptions, audit findings and other measures of quality and effectiveness.
  
• Support a strong accounting policy and control environment, including SOX compliance, application of accounting policies, documented procedures and appropriate review standards.
  
• Provide technical accounting leadership to the offshore team, working closely with US-based Property Accounting and Financial Reporting leadership on the application of US GAAP and company accounting policies.
  
• Provide strategic oversight of property accounting for third-party managed assets, including owner financial reporting, audit coordination, and delivery of accurate, timely information in accordance with management agreements, accounting policies, and internal controls.
  
• Serve as liaison between the Bengaluru Property Accounting team and US-based leadership, communicating accounting results, significant issues, close status and control matters.
  
• Partner with FP&A, Operations and other stakeholders, in coordination with onshore leadership, to support the integrity of actual financial results and provide accounting insight into significant property-level variances and trends.
  
• Support acquisitions, dispositions and other portfolio transactions in partnership with US-based Property Accounting, Investments, Financial Reporting and other stakeholders.
  
• Coordinate offshore support for internal and external audits, including audit deliverables, resolution of accounting and control matters, and remediation activities in partnership with onshore leadership.
  
• Drive improvements to Property Accounting policies, workflows, systems and automation in coordination with US-based leadership to improve consistency, scalability, controls and reporting quality.
  
• Partner with US-based leadership and Finance leadership on staffing, hiring, performance management and organizational development to ensure the Bengaluru team has the appropriate capacity and capabilities to support the business.
  
• Work from the Bengaluru office under the hybrid working model, with working hours aligned to provide meaningful daily overlap with US business hours; flexibility is expected during month-end and year-end close, audit periods and other peak reporting cycles.
  
• Perform other projects and responsibilities as assigned.
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance is required.
  
• Chartered Accountant (CA) or Certified Public Accountant (CPA) qualification is preferred.
  
• Minimum of 12 years of related professional accounting experience preferred.
  
• Five or more years in a supervisory role managing a team of five or more is preferred.
  
• Big Four accounting firm experience preferred; real estate or student housing experience is an advantage.
  
• Strong working knowledge of US GAAP and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) control environments.
  
• Experience with Oracle Fusion is preferred.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, with emphasis on Excel, Word and PowerPoint.
  
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, analytical, leadership and presentation skills.
  
• Ability to handle multiple high-priority projects with keen attention to detail.
  
• Strong problem-solving and data analysis skills, with the ability to assimilate new information, understand complex topics and arrive at sound analysis and judgement.
  
• Ability to work independently while logically and strategically resolving accounting issues in adherence with US GAAP.
  
• Demonstrates a positive attitude and maintains a high level of professionalism when working with onshore stakeholders and senior leadership across time zones.